- 1). Plant liriope any time the ground is not frozen. Fall planting will garner the best results, as the plants will have time to become established before the spring growing season. Choose a planting location with full sun to partial shade with well-drained, fertile soil.
- 2). Prepare the planting site by tilling the entire area with a garden tiller to a depth of about 6 inches. Spread 2 to 3 inches of organic material such as peat moss or leaf mold over the planting area. Then use the tiller to incorporate the material into the soil.
- 3). Remove liriope plants from their containers and score the sides of each root ball with a sharp knife. This will loosen the pot-bound roots and make the transition to the ground less stressful for the plants. Make score marks no deeper than 1/16 inch for the best results.
- 4). Dig a planting hole of equal depth and width to the container in which the liriope was previously grown. Space each planting at least 12 inches apart to allow room for growth. The liriope plants will form a dense ground cover after about two years.
- 5). Place each liriope plant inside a planting hole. Then gently cover the soil with roots. Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch over the ground surrounding the plants to help maintain even soil moisture. Use pine straw, pine bark or leaves as mulch for liriope.
- 6). Water thoroughly immediately after planting and mulching liriope plants to settle the soil and encourage growth. Apply an all-purpose liquid fertilizer according to the manufacturer's directions at planting time. Water again thoroughly after application to prevent nitrogen burn.
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