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Mondo grass and Mauʻu ʻakiʻaki: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Mondo grass Ophiopogon japonicus	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Mauʻu ʻakiʻaki Fimbristylis cymosa
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China, Korea, and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi, Northwest Islands.See state guides
Sunlight
Sun, part shade, or dappled light	Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil
Mature height
6–12 in	1–2½+ ft
Mature spread
6–12 in	4–8 in
USDA hardiness zones
6–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Evergreen foliage & summer flowers	Year-round foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	A native sedge supplies grasslike texture in sunny, dry places where a lawn edge needs little water.
Growing notes
Spreading evergreen edging plant; dwarf selections are smaller.	Height varies with form and exposure; use sharp drainage and let the soil dry between waterings.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.