How To Remove Monkey Grass – Permanent Eradication Methods
You have likely seen it in every suburban neighborhood and many older homesteads. Monkey grass, also known as Liriope or Mondo grass, is a popular groundcover that quickly turns from a tidy border into an invasive nightmare. If your garden beds are currently being choked out by these resilient green clumps, you are not alone in your frustration.
Learning how to remove monkey grass is a vital skill for any gardener or homesteader looking to reclaim their land. This guide will provide you with the exact strategies needed to clear your soil effectively. We will cover everything from manual extraction and smothering techniques to the responsible use of tools and treatments.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear, step-by-step plan to eliminate this stubborn plant for good. Whether you are preparing a new site for a prepper pantry garden or just tidying up your RV pad, these methods work. Let’s dive into the practical steps to restore your outdoor space.
Table of Contents
Understanding Your Enemy: Liriope vs. Mondo Grass
Before you grab your shovel, you need to know exactly what you are fighting. While often lumped together, there are two main types of plants people refer to as monkey grass. Identifying which one you have determines how aggressive your removal strategy needs to be. Liriope muscari, or clumping monkey grass, stays in relatively neat mounds. It is much easier to manage because it does not spread via underground runners. If you have this variety, your job is significantly simpler, as you only need to remove the individual crowns and the immediate root ball.
Liriope spicata, or creeping lilyturf, is the real villain for most outdoor enthusiasts. This variety spreads through rhizomes, which are underground stems that shoot out in all directions. If you leave even a small piece of a rhizome in the dirt, a new plant will emerge within weeks, making it a persistent foe for homesteaders.
The Biology of the Root System
The reason this plant is so difficult to kill is its fleshy, tuberous root system. These roots store energy, allowing the plant to survive droughts, freezes, and even partial hacking. To be successful, you must focus on the “energy bank” of the plant located just beneath the soil surface.
When you are planning how to remove monkey grass, you must account for these tubers. Simply cutting the leaves off will not work. The plant will simply use its stored sugars to push up new growth, often more vigorously than before.
Effective Manual Techniques on how to remove monkey grass
For many off-grid explorers and organic gardeners, the manual method is the preferred choice. It is labor-intensive, but it provides immediate results without introducing chemicals into your ecosystem. This approach is best for small to medium-sized patches where you want to plant something else immediately.
The key to manual removal is moisture. Attempting to dig up monkey grass in bone-dry, compacted soil is a recipe for a sore back and broken tools. Always wait for a heavy rain or deeply water the area 24 hours before you begin your work.
Essential Tools for the Job
Do not rely on a standard garden trowel for this task. You need leverage and a sharp edge to cut through the dense root mats. A sharpshooter spade or a drain spade is the ideal tool because its long, narrow blade can get deep under the root ball without disturbing too much of the surrounding soil.
- Sharpshooter Spade: For deep digging and slicing rhizomes.
- Garden Pitchfork: To loosen the soil and shake out the dirt from the roots.
- Hand Mattock: For prying up stubborn clumps in tight spaces.
- Sturdy Work Gloves: To protect your hands from the sharp edges of the grass blades.
Step-by-Step Digging Process
- Outline the Perimeter: Use your spade to cut a vertical line around the entire patch. Go at least six inches deep to ensure you have severed any connecting rhizomes.
- Loosen the Soil: Insert your pitchfork or spade into the center of a clump and rock it back and forth. You want to feel the soil “give” beneath the plant.
- Lift and Shake: Pry the entire clump upward. Once it is out of the ground, shake it vigorously or tap it against a hard surface to remove as much soil as possible.
- Sift the Dirt: This is the most important step. Run your hands or a rake through the loose soil to find any remaining white, fleshy root segments. Remove every single one.
The Smothering Method: A Low-Effort Organic Solution
If you have a massive area covered in monkey grass and you aren’t in a rush, smothering is an excellent choice. This technique, often called sheet mulching, uses the power of darkness to starve the plants of sunlight and oxygen. It is a favorite among permaculture enthusiasts because it builds soil health as it kills the weeds.
Once you have decided how to remove monkey grass from your property using this method, you need to be patient. It can take anywhere from six months to a full year to completely kill the root system. However, the physical labor involved is minimal compared to digging.
Preparing the Area for Smothering
Start by mowing the monkey grass as short as your mower will allow. This forces the plant to use up its initial energy reserves to try and regrow. Once mown, cover the entire area with a thick layer of cardboard. Make sure the pieces overlap by at least six inches so no light can peek through the gaps.
Avoid using plastic tarps if you plan to plant in that soil later. Plastic can kill beneficial soil microbes by overheating the ground. Cardboard is breathable and will eventually break down, adding organic matter back into your garden beds.
Adding the Mulch Layer
After the cardboard is down, wet it thoroughly with a hose. Then, pile on 4-6 inches of organic mulch. You can use wood chips, straw, or even fallen leaves. This weight holds the cardboard in place and further blocks sunlight. Over time, the monkey grass will rot underneath, turning into compost for your future plants.
Chemical Control: When and How to Use It Safely
Sometimes, the manual and organic methods aren’t enough, especially for large-scale overlanding sites or neglected homesteads. If you choose to use herbicides, you must do so with precision and care. Monkey grass is notoriously resistant to many standard weed killers because of its waxy leaf coating.
The most effective chemical for this job is glyphosate. However, because monkey grass has a thick cuticle, a standard application may just bead off the leaves. You need a high-concentration formula and a way to help the chemical stick to the plant.
Improving Herbicide Adhesion
To make the treatment more effective, mix a surfactant or a few drops of liquid dish soap into your sprayer. This breaks the surface tension of the water and allows the herbicide to coat the leaves evenly. For the best results, apply the mixture on a calm, sunny day when no rain is expected for at least 24 hours.
Be extremely careful with “drift.” Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill almost any green plant it touches. If you are working near prized ornamentals or a vegetable patch, use a piece of cardboard as a shield to protect your wanted plants while you spray.
The “Cut and Paint” Technique
For those who want to use fewer chemicals, the “cut and paint” method is highly effective. Mow or weed-whack the grass down to the ground. Immediately after cutting, use a small paintbrush to apply a concentrated herbicide directly to the fresh cuts. This delivers the chemical straight into the plant’s vascular system, minimizing environmental impact.
Solarization: Using the Power of the Sun
Solarization is a middle ground between smothering and chemical use. It works best in the peak of summer when temperatures are high. This method involves using clear plastic to trap heat, essentially “cooking” the monkey grass and its root system.
While sheet mulching uses cardboard to block light, solarization uses clear polyethylene plastic to create a greenhouse effect. The soil temperature can rise to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills the plants, their seeds, and even many soil-borne pathogens.
How to Solarize Effectively
- Mow and Water: Shorten the grass and soak the ground. Wet soil conducts heat much better than dry soil.
- Trench the Edges: Dig a small trench around the perimeter of the area.
- Seal the Plastic: Lay the clear plastic over the area and tuck the edges into the trench, covering them with soil. The seal must be airtight to trap the heat.
- Wait: Leave the plastic in place for 6-8 weeks during the hottest part of the year.
Post-Removal Maintenance and Prevention
Congratulations, you have cleared the area! But the job isn’t quite finished. Monkey grass is a persistent survivor, and any missed rhizome will attempt a comeback. Constant vigilance in the months following removal is the only way to ensure permanent success.
Check the area every two weeks. If you see a tiny green blade poking through the soil, do not just pull the top off. Use a hand trowel to dig down and find the root attached to it. By removing these “scouts” early, you prevent the colony from re-establishing itself.
Choosing Better Alternatives
Once the monkey grass is gone, don’t leave the soil bare. Bare soil is an invitation for weeds and erosion. Replace it with non-invasive native plants that provide similar aesthetic benefits without the aggressive spreading. Depending on your region, creeping phlox, native sedges, or wild ginger can be excellent replacements.
For homesteaders, this cleared space is a prime opportunity to plant functional groundcovers. Consider clover for nitrogen fixation or thyme for a walkable, fragrant path. These options support local pollinators and contribute to a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions About how to remove monkey grass
Can I just use a tiller to remove it?
No, tilling is usually the worst thing you can do for creeping monkey grass. A tiller will chop the rhizomes into hundreds of tiny pieces. Each of those pieces can grow into a brand-new plant, effectively turning a small patch into a massive infestation across your entire yard.
Is vinegar an effective way to kill it?
Horticultural vinegar (20% acetic acid) can burn the leaves, but it rarely kills the deep tuberous roots of monkey grass. It might work for very young plants, but for established clumps, it usually only provides a temporary setback before the plant regrows from the roots.
How long do I have to wait to plant after using glyphosate?
Generally, you should wait 7 to 14 days after applying glyphosate before planting anything new. This allows the herbicide to travel all the way to the roots of the monkey grass and ensures that the chemical has broken down in the soil enough to be safe for your new plants.
Is it hard to learn how to remove monkey grass?
The process itself is straightforward, but it requires physical stamina and attention to detail. The “hard” part is the persistence required to ensure every root fragment is gone. If you follow the steps outlined here and stay consistent with follow-up, anyone can successfully clear their land.
Can I compost the monkey grass I dug up?
It is highly discouraged to put monkey grass in a standard backyard compost pile. Most home piles do not get hot enough to kill the rhizomes or seeds. You risk spreading the plant back into your garden when you use the finished compost. Instead, bag it for municipal green waste or let it dry out completely on a tarp in the sun until it is brittle and dead.
Taking Back Your Landscape
Removing invasive species is a core part of being a responsible land steward. Whether you are building an off-grid retreat or just improving your home’s curb appeal, mastering how to remove monkey grass gives you control over your environment. It allows you to choose plants that serve your needs rather than fighting a plant that wants to take over.
Remember that gardening and homesteading are marathons, not sprints. If a few sprouts return next season, don’t be discouraged. Just keep your spade sharp and your eyes open. With the right tools and a bit of grit, you can create a diverse, beautiful, and sustainable landscape that reflects your outdoor goals.
Stay focused on the long-term health of your soil and keep exploring new ways to live in harmony with nature. Happy gardening and stay safe out there!
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