Lomandra longifolia Lime Turf is a standout cultivar selected for its vibrant colour and tidy, manageable growth habit. Unlike the standard Mat Rush, which can become quite large and unruly, Lime Turf maintains a neat, rounded clump typically reaching about 50 to 60 centimetres in height and width. The foliage is significantly finer than the parent species, creating a soft, grassy texture that remains a vivid, fresh green even during the height of a dry Australian summer.
In spring, the plant produces small, creamy-yellow flower spikes that are tucked within the foliage. These blooms carry a light, pleasant fragrance and are a great resource for local pollinators. This variety is highly favoured by landscape designers for its ability to provide a consistent “pop” of bright colour against darker green shrubs or grey-toned mulch. It is a tough, long-lived plant that brings a contemporary, clean look to both native and Mediterranean-style gardens.
Care Tips
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Position: Best in full sun to part shade. While it is very shade-tolerant, the lime-green colour is most vibrant when the plant receives a good amount of daily sunlight.
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Climate: Exceptionally hardy across most of Australia. It is drought-tolerant, heat-hardy, and can withstand heavy frosts. It also performs well in coastal conditions where salt spray is a factor.
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Soil: Highly adaptable to most soil types, including sandy soils and heavy clays. Like most Lomandras, it requires reasonable drainage to prevent root rot in very wet winters.
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Watering: Very low water requirements once established. It is an excellent choice for water-wise gardens, though an occasional deep soak during an extreme heatwave will keep the leaf tips from browning.
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Fertilising: Apply a balanced, low-phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring. This is usually sufficient to maintain its vigour and bright colour for the year.
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Pruning: Requires very little attention. You can remove old flower spikes if they become unsightly. If the plant loses its shape after several years, it can be cut back hard in late winter to allow fresh, new foliage to emerge.
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Maintenance: This is a non-invasive clumping plant that does not spread via runners, making it very easy to keep within its designated garden space.
Landscape Use Lomandra Lime Turf is a fantastic “utility” plant. It is ideal for mass planting as a low-maintenance groundcover or for defining the edges of a long driveway or garden path. Because of its compact size, it is a perfect fit for a Divider Trough, where it creates a dense, bright green border for a balcony or pool area. It also looks striking when used as a “filler” in a Stump pot, providing a soft, textural contrast to more structural plants like Agaves or Yuccas.
