Lime Tuff lomandra

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; growth is usually denser in good light.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Container plants need more frequent watering.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, loamy or clay soil; tolerates a range of soil pH but dislikes persistently waterlogged ground.

Height

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Small cream to pale yellow flowers, often partly hidden among the leaves, in spring and summer.

Foliage

Fine, arching, strap-shaped leaves, bright lime green to yellow-green; forms a dense evergreen mound.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.2 ft (0.37 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.7 ft (0.53 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Mildly toxic: may upset a stomach

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the crown level with the soil surface, leaving room for the clump to widen.
• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Apply a light dressing of slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth is weak; avoid heavy feeding.
• Spread mulch around the plant but keep it clear of the crown.
• Use a pot with drainage holes and protect container roots from prolonged freezing.

Pruning. Pull out or cut away dead leaves in late winter or early spring. If an established clump becomes badly untidy, cut it back to about 6 in (15 cm) above the ground as warm-season growth begins; annual shearing is unnecessary.

Spring

Plant in prepared, well-drained soil once severe frost has passed.

Spring

Remove dead foliage and give a light feed if needed.

Summer

Water new plants deeply during dry weather; check pots more frequently.

Early autumn

Plant in mild climates while the soil is warm, allowing time for roots to establish before winter.

Late autumn

Check drainage and move pots under shelter where winters are wet or frosty.

Winter

Leave healthy foliage intact and avoid watering already wet soil.

• Repeat along paths and driveways for a soft, consistent evergreen edge.
• Mass on sunny banks with coastal rosemary and other drought-tolerant shrubs.
• Use in simple containers where the arching lime-green foliage softens paving and walls.
• Plant beside dark-leaved shrubs or broad-leaved perennials for colour and texture contrast.

Garden styles it suits: Modern, Contemporary minimal, Australian native, Coastal, Low-maintenance and Dry gravel garden.

Plant it with: Coastal rosemary, Rosemary, Kangaroo paw, Agapanthus and Blue fescue.

Wildlife: Flowers can attract small insects, and dense clumps provide shelter for ground-dwelling invertebrates.

• Root or crown rot in waterlogged soil: improve drainage, keep mulch away from the crown and reduce watering.
• Brown or collapsed foliage after hard frost: leave damaged growth until severe frosts have passed, then trim it away; use a sheltered position in colder gardens.
• Brown leaf tips during establishment or in pots: check the root ball for dryness and water thoroughly rather than giving frequent small splashes.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Cultivar-specific safety information is limited; it is an ornamental plant rather than a food plant, and chewing the tough leaves may cause irritation or digestive upset.

• Spiny-headed mat rush (Lomandra longifolia)

  Typical species plants are usually larger and coarser, with broader, darker leaves and more conspicuous flower clusters than Lime Tuff.

• Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)

  Lilyturf has broader, usually darker leaves and upright spikes of purple or white flowers, sometimes followed by dark berries.

• New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax)

  New Zealand flax has much broader, stiffer, sword-shaped leaves arranged in distinct fans and usually grows substantially larger.

The species name longifolia comes from Latin words meaning 'long-leaved'.

Propagation. Division of established clumps in spring preserves the cultivar's characteristics. Seed will not reliably produce identical plants; check applicable plant breeders' rights or patent restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Lomandra longifolia

Native range

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

Measured

Average height 80 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.