Lomandra breeze, also known as Lomandra longifolia ‘breeze,’ is a cultivar of the ornamental grass Lomandra longifolia.
It’s a dwarf variety of the plant commonly known as spiny-head mat rush.
Lomandra species belong to the Asparagaceae family.
Along with Lomandra breeze grass, the plant is commonly called a dwarf mat rush due to its shorter growth.
Lomandra longifolia [loh-MAN-druh] [lon-jee-FOH-lee-uh] is a perennial herb found natively in eastern Australia.
It’s a drought-tolerant plant introduced throughout New Zealand, Spain, and the United States.
Lomandra Breeze Care
Taking care of the lomandra sea breeze is relatively easy. This includes providing proper lomandra care to ensure healthy growth.
Lomandra Breeze Size and Growth
Lomandra breeze is a perennial with evergreen foliage that grows well in USDA zone 7-11.
It has grass-like growth with narrow, strap-shaped leaves.
The leaves reach a height of about 24″ to 40″ inches and tend to spread about the same distance.
Flowering and Fragrance
Lomandra breeze flowers in the summer and produces flower spikes featuring small creamy yellow flowers.
The lomandra flowers are lightly scented, resembling sweet honey.
Lomandra longifolia breeze fruiting occurs about one to two months after flowering.
Light Needs and Temperature
Grow lomandra longifolia breeze in full sun or partial shade.
This evergreen perennial ornamental grass tolerates short periods of freezing weather but may not last in temperatures below 20° degrees Fahrenheit (-7° C).
Dwarf mat rush is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
It’s commonly grown in Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Further north, the cool summers and wet winters may harm the plant.
Grow the breeze lomandra grass in containers in regions frequently dropping below freezing during the winter.
Watering and Feeding
Established breeze lomandra rarely need additional watering.
Potted plants and young plants need average watering, especially when placed in full sun.
Keep the soil moist until the breeze grass lomandra longifolia matures.
NOTE: Optimal moisture and sunlight help produce fuller growth.
Adding a liquid fertilizer once per month during the spring and summer may encourage thicker, brighter blooms.
The plant is versatile once established and can survive long periods of drought or flooding.
Soil and Transplanting
Lomandra breeze grass grows in a wide range of soils, including light, sandy, and heavy, clay soil. It doesn’t have any special pH requirements.
Transplanting isn’t necessary, except for rearranging the garden or moving to a different container.
Transplant plants in the spring using moistened soil.
Grooming and Maintenance
- Trim back damaged leaves in the spring.
- The leaves may become damaged due to frost during the winter or severe wind.
- Prune dead foliage in early spring.
- Cut the blades back to about 6″ inches from the ground.
- The leaves will regrow throughout the spring.
- Annual trimming also increases the attractiveness of the clumps, making it easier to maintain the perfect shape and size.
- After trimming the plant, apply liquid fertilizer to encourage new growth.
- Along with trimming damaged leaves and annual trimming, the plant should be trimmed to half its size every three to five years to prolong its life.
- This increases the health of the leaves and keeps the size of the clump manageable.
How to Propagate Lomandra Breeze
Propagate lomandra breeze plant by clump division or seed.
Dividing the plant allows for continuous renewal, making it easier to cover a larger portion of a garden or landscape.
- Divide the plant in the spring.
- Carefully dig the soil around the plant and remove it from the ground or container.
- Loosen the soil to get a better look at the root ball.
- Separate the clump into two sections.
- Plant the sections in moist soil, either indoors or outdoors.
- When planting a mass of lomandra breeze plants, space them at least 2′ feet apart.
To propagate by seed, wait for the fruits to mature and turn brown.
When the fruit ripens, clip it from the plant and store it in brown paper bags.
Allow the fruit to completely dry before tearing it open.
Separate the seeds from the debris.
Sow the seeds in moist soil.
When sowing outdoors, protect the seedlings from strong winds with a plastic cover or grow in a greenhouse.
Keep the soil moistened.
About six weeks after sowing the seeds, the seedlings should be large enough for transplanting to their permanent homes.
As with the divided plants, space the transplants at least 2′ feet apart.
Lomandra Breeze Pest or Diseases
Lomandra breeze isn’t considered toxic or invasive.
It’s a relatively easy plant to grow with just a few pest concerns.
Pests are not a problem for outdoor growth but may appear indoors.
Aphids, mealybugs, and fungus gnats occasionally infest potted plants.
Aphids appear in clusters under the leaves, while mealybugs may appear all over the plant. Gnats tend to fly around the soil.
Take the infested plant outdoors and spray it with water from a garden hose.
Allow the plant to dry in the afternoon sun before bringing it back inside.
Repeat this process every other day for a week.
If the pests remain, treat them with a pesticide such as neem oil.
Suggested Lomandra Breeze Uses
Group several plantings of lomandra breeze grass to produce a mass of grass-like ground cover.
It also makes an excellent choice as a houseplant, foundation plant, and accent plant due to its large flower spikes with honey-scented flowers.
Lomandra breeze plant also makes a lovely addition to ornamental grass gardens, garden edges, Asian theme gardens, coastal gardens, rock gardens, and the Xeriscape.
You can also grow this foundational grower for erosion control. The native Aborigines in Australia also commonly weave into baskets using grass blades.