Chinese lucky grass is a grass-like evergreen perennial in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and is native to China and Japan. Genus is named for J. Reinecke, a German grower of tropical plants This plant grows in mounds of arching leaves up to 8 inches tall and spreads by short rhizomes. It is tolerant of part shade-to-shade conditions in most any well-drained moist soil. It does best with consistent moisture. It is sometimes confused with lirope but the leaves are wider with a softer texture. The flowers are fragrant and showy on short spikes that are held within the leaves. Red round fruits follow and persist through winter. Use this plant as a ground cover under larger bushes, in the front border of a shade garden, mass planted or in a container. It tolerates heat and humidity and deer and rabbits leave it alone. Additional Reineckea images from Juniper Level Botanical Gardens Reineckea Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Black spot and leaf rot can occur
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Strap-like evergreen leaves are up to 12 inches long and 1 inch or less wide. Margins are entire,
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Clusters of small fragrant pink star-shaped flowers have 5 petals and long stamens. Bloom in summer
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small red to orange round fruits persist through winter
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The flower stem is reddish-green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China and Japan
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio; Small Space; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Fairy Garden; Winter Garden