PlantLegit

Native alternatives to liriope

If you want a grassy edging or groundcover but would rather plant native, try Pennsylvania sedge, Green and gold, Creeping phlox. Liriope is not on any official invasive list we track, so it is legal to plant; these natives are an option, not a requirement.Picks fill a similar garden role; sizes, sun and zones from NC State Extension; native states from USDA PLANTS.

Native plants that fill the same role

Native plantTypeHeightSunZonesNative in plan states (USDA)Source
Pennsylvania sedge
Carex pensylvanica		sedge0 ft 1 in. - 0 ft 8 in.sun to shadezones 3–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Green and gold
Chrysogonum virginianum		groundcover0 ft 1 in. - 0 ft 2 in.part shade–shadezones 5–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NCNC State Ext.
Creeping phlox
Phlox stolonifera		groundcover0 ft 6 in. - 1 ftsun to shadezones 4–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NCNC State Ext.
Allegheny spurge
Pachysandra procumbens		groundcover0 ft 6 in. - 1 ftpart shade–shadezones 5–9SC, GA, TN, NCNC State Ext.
Golden ragwort
Packera aurea		perennial0 ft 6 in. - 2 ft 6 in.full sun–part shadezones 3–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.

Is liriope (Liriope muscari, Liriope spicata) illegal or invasive?

It is not on any official invasive or noxious-weed list we track (all 50 states + DC). It's legal to plant. The natives below are an option, not a requirement.

More swaps: all native swaps · fast-growing native privacy trees · check any plant for your ZIP

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Pennsylvania sedge
  2. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Green and gold
  3. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Creeping phlox
  4. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Allegheny spurge
  5. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Golden ragwort
  6. USDA NRCS PLANTS Database (native status by state)
  7. PlantLegit works cited: official state invasive lists behind the legal status

Checked October 19, 2026. Not legal or professional advice; the official text controls.