How Big Does Big Blue Lilyturf Get? Size and Growth Rate

Big Blue Lilyturf size and growth guide, edited:

Every spring we watch customers pick up a pot of Big Blue, look at the tidy little tuft, and ask how big it will get. The answer surprises them. It stays put. Big Blue forms a dense, arching clump about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, and it does not run.

That predictable size is why we steer people to it for edging, borders and pots. Plant it too far apart or in soggy ground and you wait years for a patchy carpet. Plant it right and leave it alone, and it fills in by itself.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Big Blue's size and growth, from mature height and width to spring division, spacing, bloom height and how the plant behaves in winter across zones 5 to 10.

Mature Size of Big Blue Lilyturf

How tall does Big Blue Lilyturf grow?

Big Blue Lilyturf reaches 12 to 18 inches tall in foliage. The leaves form a dense, arching mound, and the violet-purple flower spikes rise from the clump in late summer into autumn. Measure the leaf mound, not the flowers, when you plan your bed.

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.

Spring: Cut Back, Divide and Plant

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.

Make the cut before new growth starts, because pruning is best done before spring growth begins. Some advice says to shear it hard every year. We don't follow that for Big Blue. If the leaves came through winter looking fine, leave them. Cutting healthy foliage only costs you weeks of good looks. Our cutting back guide shows how to do it when you do need to.

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.

For step-by-step help, see our guide to dividing Big Blue Lilyturf.

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. We plant beds at 12 inches. If you want faster coverage, use the closer spacing, and if you prefer plants to stay more distinct at first, use 18 inches and allow 2 to 3 years for them to touch and fill in.

Customers often ask us whether wide spacing is a smart way to save money. It saves plants on day one, but we don't follow that advice for mass plantings because the gaps let weeds in for two seasons. See our spacing guide for border and edging layouts.

How many Big Blue Lilyturf plants do I need per square foot?

At 12-inch spacing you need about 1 plant per square foot, or 10 plants per 10 square feet. At 18-inch spacing that drops to about 4 or 5 plants per 10 square feet. Measure your bed, choose your spacing, and divide the area by the square feet each plant needs.

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.

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.

Summer and Fall: Growth Rate and Bloom

How fast does Big Blue Lilyturf grow?

Big Blue Lilyturf has a medium growth rate. Clumps widen a few inches per year, so the plant fills in gradually 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.

How much taller do the flowers make Big Blue Lilyturf?

Bloom adds very little height. The small violet-purple flowers sit in dense, erect spikes that reach about 16 inches in autumn, right at the top of the foliage mound. Once flowers fade and berries form, the plant looks the same size it did before bloom.

Winter and Zone Differences for Big Blue

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

Use this chart to check Big Blue's key numbers at a glance before you plan a bed.

Measurement	Figure
Mature foliage height	12-18 inches
Bloom spike height	About 16 inches, level with the foliage
Mature clump width	12-18 inches
Growth rate	Medium, a few inches per year
Years to full mature size	2-3 years
First bloom	Usually the first full growing season after planting
Bloom window	Late summer into autumn
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 in spring
Typical container size for one clump	10-12 inch pot
Plants per 10 square feet (at 12" spacing)	10 plants
Plants per 10 square feet (at 18" spacing)	4-5 plants
Best division time	Spring (March-April)
Hardy USDA zones	5-10

Big Blue Lilyturf: Plant It, Size It, Leave It Alone

Big Blue stays a neat 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, grows at a medium pace, and fills a bed in 2 to 3 years. Plant at 12 inches for fast coverage, cut back only when winter has left the leaves tattered, and divide in spring when you want more plants.

Every Big Blue we ship is potted, packed and shipped with care so it arrives ready to plant. We are growers with our own farms, and we grow and sell top-quality plants that settle in and keep their shape.