| Botanic name | Lomandra longifolia |
| Other names | Spiny-headed mat rush, spiky-headed mat rush, basket grass |
| Main Origin | Eastern Australia |
| Mature size | 0.5 – 1.2 m x 0.5 – 1 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Dense, grass-like, rhizomatous clumps |
| Foliage | Linear, narrow, tough, strap-like, glossy green |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Position | Full sun, part shade to heavy shade |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Supplemental watering during extended dry periods |
| Climate | Semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical, tropical |
| Flower | Small, creamy-yellow, scented from late winter to summer |
| Use | Mass planting, borders, pots, slopes, banks |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
Few plants embody the resilience and character of the Australian landscape like Lomandra longifolia. Found across much of eastern Australia, from tropical north to temperate south, this versatile species has long been part of the visual and ecological fabric of the land.
Traditionally valued by Indigenous Australians for its practical uses, from weaving fibre for baskets and nets to its edible seeds and roots, Lomandra longifolia carries deep cultural and ecological significance.
Today, this hardy native grass continues to shape Australian gardens with its magnificent form and low-maintenance nature.
More than a reliable landscaping plant, Lomandra longifolia connects Australia’s natural heritage with contemporary design, bringing a sense of authenticity and continuity to every space.
Origin and distribution
Lomandra longifolia, or Spiny-headed Mat Rush, is native to a vast stretch of eastern Australia. This grass-like perennial thrives in an astonishing range of habitats, from sandy coastal dunes, moist swamps, creek banks, rocky hillsides, cliffs, and open forests.
It is one of the most popular and widely planted native landscape plants. Ubiquitous in commercial and public landscapes, it is frequently used in mass plantings along roadsides, streets, roundabouts, parks, and public gardens.
Globally, landscape designers have keenly adopted Lomandra longifolia as a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance staple, especially in regions with dry, Mediterranean-type climates.
Growth and care
Lomandra longifolia is naturally distributed across tropical, subtropical, temperate, and Mediterranean zones, and can also be found in semi-arid regions. This wide range explains its phenomenal success when planted in gardens across the continent.
The species is highly tolerant of both high heat and low temperatures. It is drought-hardy and can withstand moderate to heavy frosts, surviving low temperatures to approximately -7°C.
Its natural habitat spans a broad range of moisture conditions, from waterlogged creek banks and swamps to parched coastal dunes and rocky slopes, highlighting its remarkable ability to thrive in both abundance and scarcity of water.
Lomandra longifolia is highly adaptable to light. While it performs best in full sun and part shade, it can also thrive beneath trees or in low-light garden areas where many grasses fail.
Specialised cultivars have been developed to enhance its performance. For example, ‘Tanika’ and ‘Katrinus Deluxe’ have been bred with an exceptional ability to maintain dense growth and vibrant foliage in shaded conditions.
While its northern distribution indicates a natural tolerance for humidity, no specific cultivars have been developed to enhance this trait. In tropical regions, Lomandra hystrix and its cultivars, such as ‘Katie Belles’ and ‘Tropic Cascade’, are generally preferred for superior performance in humid conditions.
Lomandra longifolia naturally thrives in exposed coastal environments, highly tolerant of salt spray, high winds, and sandy, nutrient-poor soils. Cultivars such as ‘Nyalla’ have been specifically developed for these conditions, offering compact form and refined foliage that enhance both durability and aesthetic appeal in coastal landscapes.
The low maintenance of Lomandra longifolia is a significant appeal. Established plants generally require very little, if any, fertilisation, thriving even in poor or degraded soils without supplemental nutrients.
In terms of pruning, remove dead and damaged leaves, or prune to shape to improve its appearance. Old or tired plants can be cut back hard to about 15 cm above the ground every few years to rejuvenate the clump. But for compact cultivars, this is rarely necessary.
Features
Lomandra longifolia is one of the most prized Australian native grasses, admired in horticulture for its resilience, longevity, and elegant architecture.
The plant arises from a tough, rhizomatous base with strong fibrous roots that anchor dense, clumping tussocks, making it visually striking and remarkably resilient across various landscapes.
Naturally upright, it forms neat, rounded mounds that bring structure and rhythm to borders, beds, and mass plantings. The tidy, symmetrical form complements formal and naturalistic designs, softening hard edges while maintaining a strong, cohesive presence in the landscape.
The defining feature of Lomandra longifolia lies in its foliage. Narrow, long, strap-like leaves are smooth, tough, and deep to mid-green in colour. These arching leaves create subtle movement with the wind, adding visual texture and softening hardscape edges.
In spring and summer, prickly flower spikes (hence ‘spiny-headed’) emerge from the base of the foliage. They consist of small, creamy yellow, honey-scented flowers, providing a delicate seasonal highlight to this resilient, architectural grass.
Cultivars
Over the past few decades, Lomandra longifolia has inspired a wide range of cultivars bred to enhance its natural resilience and ornamental appeal. These selections vary in size, foliage colour, and growth habit, offering options for diverse landscape applications.
| Cultivar | Size (w x h) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Great White | 0.5 m x 0.5 m | Variegated foliage, larger & perfumed yellow flowers |
| Tanika | 0.6 m x 0.6 m | Compact, high performer with tidy foliage, highly popular |
| Long John Silver | 0.6 m x 0.8 m | Fine, blue-grey green foliage |
| Lady Tanika | 0.7 m x 0.5 m | Sister plant to Tanika with enhanced wet tolerance |
| Katrinus Deluxe | 0.7 m x 0.7 m | Exceptional soil stabilisation |
| Verday | 0.8 m x 0.7 m | Lush, dark green foliage |
| Nyalla | 0.9 m x 0.9 m | Distinctive blue-grey foliage, exceptional coastal tolerance |
| Cassica | 1 m x 1 m | Broad, blue-green foliage |
| Dalliance | 1 m x 1 m | Vibrant, bright green foliage |
| Fine N Dandy | 1.5 m x 1.5 m | Dense, fine, glossy green foliage |
FAQs
Can Lomandra longifolia grow in shade?
Yes. Lomandra longifolia can grow in shade, although it performs best in full sun to part shade. While it will thrive in deeper shade, its foliage tends to be more open, arching, and less rigid. More compact cultivars, including ‘Tanika’ and ‘Katrinus Deluxe’, can tolerate up to 70% of shade.
Alternatively, Lomandra hystrix is often chosen for shade in tropical and subtropical regions. Its cultivars, like ‘Katie Belles’ and ‘Tropic Cascade’, are specifically selected for heavily shaded spots.
Should Lomandra be cut back?
Lomandra generally doesn’t need regular cutting back like many ornamental grasses. Its evergreen foliage stays tidy year-round, and excessive cutting can actually damage the plant, especially for modern cultivars.
However, rejuvenation pruning can be beneficial every several years if foliage has become tired or damaged due to drought, frost, or wind. Heavy pruning should be performed in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Cut foliage back to about 15 cm above the ground. Avoid cutting too low into the base – this can expose and damage the growing points.
Is Lomandra longifolia invasive?
Lomandra longifolia is generally not considered invasive in a typical garden setting, as it behaves as a well-contained, clump-forming perennial.
However, the original species can self-seed readily in ideal conditions, which can lead to unwanted seedlings, though this is usually considered a minor nuisance rather than aggressive invasiveness.
To eliminate any potential for self-seeding, the landscape industry predominantly uses modern, named cultivars such as ‘Tanika’, ‘Nyalla’, and ‘Katrinus Deluxe’. These selections are primarily male clones or sterile, meaning they do not produce viable seeds.
This crucial characteristic ensures that when using these popular cultivars, Lomandra longifolia is entirely non-invasive and remains a well-behaved, low-maintenance garden plant.
