How Big Does Big Blue Lilyturf Get? Size and Growth Rate
Big Blue Lilyturf (Liriope muscari 'Big Blue') is a modest, well-behaved groundcover that reaches a predictable size. If you're planning where to plant it, spacing a mass planting, or wondering how long to wait for your clumps to fill in, the answers are straightforward and reliable. Here are the questions home gardeners and landscapers ask most often about the size and growth of this easy perennial.
Basic Size: How Big Does It Get?
How tall does Big Blue Lilyturf grow?
Big Blue Lilyturf reaches 12 to 18 inches tall in foliage, with flower spikes rising slightly higher to about 18 to 24 inches during bloom time. The foliage itself forms a dense, arching mound, while the purple spikes emerge from the clump in mid to late summer and add a few inches of vertical interest without changing the overall plant footprint.
How wide does a mature Big Blue Lilyturf clump get?
A mature clump spreads 12 to 18 inches wide, creating a neat, defined mound rather than a rambling groundcover. This compact width makes it ideal for borders, edging, and container plantings where you need predictable dimensions.
Is Big Blue Lilyturf considered a tall or short plant?
It is a low to medium plant, suitable for foreground positions in beds or as an edger along pathways. The 12 to 18-inch height is shorter than many ornamental grasses and perennials, yet tall enough to hold its own in mixed plantings without being overshadowed by larger neighbors.
How does Big Blue Lilyturf compare in size to other groundcovers?
Big Blue Lilyturf is taller and denser than low creeping groundcovers like mondo grass but smaller than full-sized ornamental grasses. Its clump-forming habit keeps it in place, unlike the invasive spreader Liriope spicata (creeping lilyturf), making it easier to manage in smaller spaces.
Growth Rate and Timeline
How fast does Big Blue Lilyturf grow?
Big Blue Lilyturf has a slow to moderate growth rate. Clumps spread a few inches per year via short rhizomes, meaning it will gradually fill in over time without becoming aggressive or weedy.
How long does it take Big Blue Lilyturf to reach full size?
A newly planted Big Blue Lilyturf typically reaches its full mature clump size in about 2 to 3 years. Many plants will bloom in their first full growing season after planting, even if they have not yet reached maximum width.
How soon will Big Blue Lilyturf bloom after planting?
Most Big Blue Lilyturf plants will produce flowers during their first full growing season after planting. However, bloom may be modest or delayed slightly if the plant is small at purchase or stressed during establishment.
Can I speed up the growth of Big Blue Lilyturf?
Standard care such as adequate water during the first growing season and a light spring fertilizer will support healthy, steady growth. Once established, Big Blue Lilyturf is drought tolerant and requires minimal intervention to reach its mature size on schedule.
Will Big Blue Lilyturf continue to spread year after year?
Yes, Big Blue Lilyturf will continue to expand gradually each year throughout its long life as a perennial. After reaching full mature size (12 to 18 inches wide), established clumps may slowly enlarge a few inches per year but rarely become overgrown or invasive.
Spacing and Planting Density
How far apart should I space Big Blue Lilyturf in a mass planting?
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart for mass plantings and borders. If you want faster coverage, use the closer 12-inch spacing; if you prefer plants to remain more distinct initially, use 18 inches and allow 2 to 3 years for them to touch and fill in.
How many Big Blue Lilyturf plants do I need per square foot?
At 12 to 18-inch spacing, you will need roughly 4 to 6 plants per 10 square feet, depending on whether you space at the tighter or wider end. Calculate your bed area, choose your spacing distance, and divide accordingly to determine plant quantity.
Will Big Blue Lilyturf fill a large area on its own?
Yes, if given enough time and space, but expect it to take 2 to 3 years to fully fill a mass-planted bed. The slow-to-moderate growth rate means planning for adequate coverage is worth it if you are patient, as the reliable, clump-forming behavior eliminates weeding concerns once established.
Can I plant Big Blue Lilyturf closer together to speed up coverage?
Planting at the tighter 12-inch spacing rather than 18 inches will provide coverage faster and reduce weeding labor during year one. However, closer spacing increases plant cost and may create overcrowded conditions in year two or three as clumps mature.
Bloom Height and Seasonal Changes
How much taller do the flowers make Big Blue Lilyturf?
Flower spikes rise 6 to 8 inches above the foliage mound, bringing the total plant height to about 18 to 24 inches during bloom time in mid to late summer. Once flowers fade and berries form, the plant returns to its 12 to 18-inch foliage height.
Does Big Blue Lilyturf get smaller in winter?
In zones 7 to 10, Big Blue Lilyturf remains evergreen year-round and retains its full 12 to 18-inch height through winter. In zones 5 to 6, foliage may brown or die back partially in harsh winters, requiring a spring cut-back before new growth emerges.
How much should I cut back Big Blue Lilyturf in spring?
Cut back or mow old foliage to a few inches in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. This pruning is not required annually but improves the plant's appearance and encourages dense, tidy regrowth.
Container and Edging Sizes
Is Big Blue Lilyturf suitable for container plantings?
Yes, Big Blue Lilyturf works well in mixed containers and as an edger around larger plantings. A single mature clump fits comfortably in a 10 to 12-inch pot, and its compact 12 to 18-inch width makes it ideal for container arrangements.
How many Big Blue Lilyturf plants can I fit in a standard landscape border?
In a typical residential border 3 to 4 feet wide, space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in a single row for edging, or in a staggered double row 18 to 24 inches apart for a fuller look. Refer to our Big Blue Lilyturf care guide for companion planting ideas that work well with this size.
Does Big Blue Lilyturf outgrow pathway edging?
No, Big Blue Lilyturf's reliable 12 to 18-inch size makes it an excellent pathway edger that rarely overgrows its space. Unlike aggressive spreaders, it will not encroach onto pavement or adjacent beds.
Propagation and Clump Division
How do I propagate Big Blue Lilyturf to create more plants?
Divide established clumps in spring. Dig up a mature clump, separate it into smaller sections (each with roots and growing points), and replant at the same depth. Each division will grow into a full-sized 12 to 18-inch clump within 2 to 3 years.
How big should a division be to replant successfully?
Divisions should be at least 3 to 4 inches wide with visible growing shoots and a small root system attached. Smaller divisions may establish slower, while larger ones recover more quickly and reach full size within 2 to 3 years.
When is the best time to divide Big Blue Lilyturf?
Spring is the ideal time to divide Big Blue Lilyturf, typically in March or April as new growth emerges. Dividing in spring allows ample time for roots to establish before the plant's peak growing season.
Zone-Specific Sizing
Does Big Blue Lilyturf grow to the same size in all USDA zones?
Big Blue Lilyturf is hardy in zones 5 to 10. In zones 7 to 10, it remains evergreen year-round and reaches its full 12 to 18-inch height consistently. In zones 5 to 6, foliage is more likely to die back or brown in harsh winters, though plants recover and regrow in spring.
Will Big Blue Lilyturf be smaller in northern zones?
Big Blue Lilyturf's mature foliage height remains 12 to 18 inches across its hardy range. However, in colder zones it may lose foliage in winter and appear smaller until spring green-up occurs, so expect a brief dormant period rather than year-round visual presence.
How does shade affect Big Blue Lilyturf's size?
Big Blue Lilyturf tolerates full sun to full shade, and foliage color and density are best in part shade. In full shade, plants may grow somewhat more loosely, though mature height and width typically remain consistent at 12 to 18 inches across both dimensions.
Quick Reference: Size and Growth Chart
| Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Mature foliage height | 12-18 inches |
| Height with bloom spikes | 18-24 inches |
| Mature clump width | 12-18 inches |
| Growth rate | Slow to moderate; few inches per year |
| Years to full mature size | 2-3 years |
| First bloom | Often year one; typically year one after planting |
| Spacing for mass planting | 12-18 inches apart |
| Winter behavior in zones 7-10 | Evergreen; full size year-round |
| Winter behavior in zones 5-6 | May die back or brown; regrows spring |
| Typical container size for one clump | 10-12 inch pot |
| Plants per 10 square feet (at 12" spacing) | 6 plants |
| Plants per 10 square feet (at 18" spacing) | 4 plants |
| Best division time | Spring (March-April) |
| Hardy USDA zones | 5-10 |