How to Maintain a Liriope Variegata

Water the soil under the liriope once per week with 1 inch of water if no rainfall occurs. Once the plant matures past one year of age, it can sustain periods of drought with no additional watering.

Spread slow-release fertilizer pellets around the base of the Liriope variegata once every three-to-four months to feed it. Read the packaging and apply the amount of fertilizer for the size planting area you have and water it in afterward to begin dissolving the fertilizer. Rinse off the leaves to remove any fertilizer residue from them.

Spread a 1-inch layer of mulch under the liriope to prevent weeds from competing with it and to conserve moisture near the roots. Good mulches for this plant includes chopped leaves, pine bark nuggets or pine straw.

Prune the Liriope variegata in the late winter or early spring before you see new green shoots emerge from the center of the plant. Gather up all of the grass blades in one hand and cut them off 2-to-3 inches above the ground with pruning shears. If desired, you may also cut the liriope back using a lawn mower set to a 3-inch mowing height.

Divide the liriope clumps every two-to-three years by digging the plant up using a shovel and rinsing the roots with a hose so you can see them. Break the roots apart gently with your thumbs or cut through them with a sharp knife. Replant each portion separately, spacing them at least 12 inches apart, and water them immediately.