The lily cluster prefers well-drained substrates that are as neutral as possible – but at least low in lime. Fresh, high-quality garden soil is usually sufficient if some bark mulch is added to it. The same applies to bucket soil. If the soil tends to become compact, bark mulch can also help. Coconut fibers can also be used.
Table of Contents
Choosing the right location
The lily grape comes from Asia and is found in groves and gorges in their homeland. So in places that are neither too dry nor too wet and only receive moderate amounts of sunlight.
And so Liriope muscari should also be allowed to stand in the garden or in the bucket. Light shade with only a few hours of direct sunlight is ideal. For this purpose, the location of the grape lily should be somewhat protected from wind and weather. Areas near a wall or the house are recommended. Hedges, densely growing shrubs or fences also do the job.
In addition, the location must be adapted to the respective variety. Because some Liriope muscari only manage to reach a height of 45 cm, others, on the other hand, can reach a height of one meter and then need a corresponding amount of space upwards.
Planting or sowing
Liriope muscari can be brought into the garden or pots directly as a young plant or as seeds. The ideal time for planting and sowing is after the last frost, between April and May.
Only a small amount of soil needs to be applied to the seeds. The young plants only have to be used and the substrate tapped well. With both variants, you should pay attention to regular watering at the beginning, during the first few weeks.
maintenance
When it comes to care, grape lilies are quite undemanding, provided they are in the right location. They only need a little water and fertilization is only necessary when necessary. In these care steps, however, it is important to pay attention to one thing and the other.
pour
Lily grapes do not tolerate waterlogging, so caution is advised when watering. Only when the top layer of the substrate has dried off should they be watered. Persistent drought is also unfavorable. Especially during the first few years. Older plants, on the other hand, also survive longer rain-free phases. In addition, the following is important when watering the Liriope muscari:
- Use lime-free water, such as rainwater, stale or filtered tap water
- Water only in the morning or in the evening
- Never water in direct sunlight
Fertilize
If the grape lily has just been planted or repotted, so if fresh substrate and thus nutrients are available, fertilization is not necessary. This can only be required from the second year onwards.
A regular supply of additional nutrients is particularly important when growing in pots or pots. It is advisable to use liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, which is added every four weeks from April to September.
In the garden it is sufficient if fertilization is carried out every six weeks during the same period. Those who do without a blending have to start with this maintenance measure of the Liriope muscari in May or June.
Cut the lily grape
Grape lilies are evergreen plants that keep their fresh color even in winter. Only the flowers dry out. In some cases, individual leaves that have been damaged in winter can dry up.
If you find this very annoying, you can cut it off. Again, the ideal time is between April and May. But that is not really necessary or useful. Because the dry parts of the plant are quickly covered with the new shoot and are then no longer noticeable anyway. In addition, they release the nutrients they contain when they rot and thus represent a natural fertilization. That should please everyone who wants to spend as little effort as possible in the garden.
Overwinter
Depending on the variety, the lily grape is only moderately or completely winter and frost hardy. Liriope muscari can withstand temperatures down to -10 ° C without any special protection.
If harder frosts are to be expected, a layer of spruce twigs, straw and garden fleece can effectively prevent damage. However, this only applies if the grape lily has been planted freely in the garden and is already protected.
In the pot or bucket, however, it should not be exposed to frost at all. A frost-free but still cool room with windows, such as the stairwell, a bright basement or an unheated winter garden, is ideal.
In late spring, around May, the lily grapes can be brought outside again.
Multiplication
The Liriope muscari can be propagated via seeds and division. Both variants are easy and have a good chance of success.
When the grape lily is propagated by seeds, it is necessary to remove the dried flower spikes in late autumn and shake out the seeds. At the end of April or beginning of May these can then be sown directly outdoors. Pre-breeding in the house is possible from February, but not necessary.
After about five to seven weeks, the weakest shoots should be removed to give the stronger young plants more space.
No waiting time is necessary for the Liriope muscari to multiply by division. The plant is dug up and divided at the bottom with a strong spade or a sharp knife. Then the young plants created in this way are placed in the desired location and watered. No more is necessary for this.
Repotting and repotting
If Liriope muscari is already in the right place, if it is watered and occasionally fertilized, it does not need to be moved.
The situation is different with lily grapes that are cultivated in pots or tubs. Here the substrate is used up faster, even with good care. In addition, the vessel becomes too small in the long run. A change should therefore be on the program every two to four years. If the volume of the container is still sufficient, fresh substrate is still useful.
In the first year, there is no need for additional fertilization.
April and May are again the ideal times for moving and repotting.
Typical pests and diseases
Liriope muscari is hardly susceptible to pests. The late bloomer doesn’t even like snails. If parasites are found on the lily cluster, they have usually just got lost.
It is different with diseases. Above all, fungi and bacteria can attack the grape lily. These pathogens usually cause the color to fade or stains on the leaves.
If these spots are sharply edged and angular, they are mostly bacteria. Round discolorations with blurred edges or perhaps even a downy coating in the middle, on the other hand, are more often caused by fungi.
In both cases timely intervention is necessary to save the Liriope muscari. To do this, the affected parts of the plant must first be removed and destroyed. Due to their contagious properties, these must not get onto the compost.
Depending on the pathogen, treatment with pesticides or a fungicide is then necessary.
But beware. If the infestation is already well advanced and has spread over almost the entire plant, the entire grape lily should also be removed. Because then not only is a cure very unlikely, but also the possibility of spreading to other growths is extremely high.
Grape lily varieties
Liriope muscari is available in different varieties. These differ in the flower color and in height. The most popular lily grape varieties are presented here.
- Royal Purple
- Perennial forms dense clumps and has a fresh green leaf
- growing very low
- The highlight of the Liriope muscari are the dark and particularly long inflorescences
- Leaf height 20 to 40 cm
- Royal Purple grape lilies are ideal as ground cover and for cultivation in tubs and pots
- extremely hardy
- Monroe White
- blooms white
- an excellent ground cover with up to 50 cm
- also cuts a fine figure in the bucket
- Flower spikes are very long and stand out due to the protruding stems
- Moneymaker
- slightly higher and wider but still good as a ground cover and container plant
- The inflorescences are particularly noticeable here
- on the one hand they are brightly colored and on the other hand they protrude high from the leaves
- Big Blue
- is also a bit bigger
- A special feature is the relationship between leaves and flowers
- colored ears and later the berries are about halfway up the green leaves
- create such an unusual effect
- Gold Banded
- the leaves of this grape lily have a golden yellow border and are thus individually accentuated
- purple flowers stand out clearly above the leaves
- Broad-leaved grape lily
- up to a meter in height it is the largest variant
- Flowers are reminiscent of lilac in shape and color
Is the lily grape poisonous?
The grape lily is a decorative autumn bloomer that enriches the garden with an eye-catcher. Unfortunately this is also poisonous. For people and animals.
If there is skin contact with the sap or if parts of the Liriope muscari are ingested, the following symptoms can indicate poisoning:
- Nausea and dizziness
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Racing heart
- skin rash
- a headache
- Faint
If this occurs or if there is just any suspicion that plant sap or parts of the plant have been swallowed, a doctor or veterinarian must be consulted immediately. It is helpful to have the name of the plant to hand so that an appropriate therapy can be started immediately.
It is of course better not to use the Liriope muscari in households and gardens with children and animals playing. Or at least to plant and set them up in such a way that contact cannot be made.
Conclusion
Undemanding to care for, easy to propagate and suitable for the garden and pots as well as a houseplant, the lily grape is a versatile plant. That impresses with its evergreen leaves and decorative flowers. Due to the poison it contains, the Liriope muscari is not suitable for every household and garden.
