Asparagus densiflorus,A. retrofractus,A. seaceus

Asparagus fern is a phallus of the lily kin , and the Asparagus genus . This evergreen herbaceous perennial bear no resemblance to either , and in spite of its name , is not a true fern .

This is because it set seed rather than producing spore .

Another contradiction is that what we would typically call leaves are actually “ cladodes , ” or flattened stem portions . The true leaves are tiny ordered series - like protrusions you may not even notice .

Horizontal image of asparagus ferns planted in a garden bed topped with brown wood mulch, with small red berries on some of the stalks.

Photo by Allison Sidhu.

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Furthermore , this evergreen has two sides to its personality : inUSDA Hardiness Zone9 to 11 garden , it incline to circularize so smartly that it is regard invading in Florida , Hawaii , and Texas .

But as a potted works , it ’s a gemstone !

Vertical closeup image of asparagus fern plants with small red berries, growing in earth topped with brown wood chip mulch, printed with green and white text.

Photo by Allison Sidhu.

In this clause , you will get wind to work some exceptional metal money and cultivar of this ornamental South African beauty .

Here ’s what ’s in fund :

What You’ll Learn

The many variety of this plant are characterized by cascade , feathery farewell so airy and light they have an ephemeral quality .

But mind ! Beneath matured wispy layer of green are acute spines to remind you that the dreamy texture is more of an attractive facade .

Note that this plant is toxic to people and dearie , and should be kept out from small children .

Vertical closeup image of asparagus fern plants with small red berries, growing in earth topped with brown wood chip mulch, printed with green and white text.

Cultivation and History

We have evidence of the American cultivation of asparagus fern see back to the beginning of the last century .

In theDecember 1 , 1900 issue of The Gardeners ’ Chronicle , gash clustering are mentioned , and their mean wholesale price are list .

It get in American gardens and flowerpot from its aboriginal South Africa via Europe .

Vertical closeup image of a feathery asparagus fern in bright sunlight.

Asparagus fern grows in a bush - same upward fashion , with layer upon layer of delicate branches . Insignificant white blossoms and orange , red , or mystifying purple berries may come out under idealistic conditions .

Numerous species grow in the wild , include medicinalA. racemosusand climbingA. africanus , but you wo n’t generally find these on the market . The types you are most potential to find useable for sale areA. densiflorus , A. retrofractus , andA. setaceus .

As I ’ve refer , edible asparagus fern is not a true fern . As a matter of fact , it hasmore in unwashed with eatable asparagus , A. officinalis .

A pile of two pillows, a faux fur area rug, a white chair with a gray throw blanket draped over it, a peach-colored pedestal with a light green asparagus fern in a decorative gold planter on top, with two small frosted glass and metal lanterns with candles inside in front of it, with a brownish orange wood floor and a white wall with white baseboard in the background.

Both are herbaceous perennial that expect moist , organically - rich stain , but the law of similarity do n’t stop there .

They are both dioecian , which mean they producebothmale and distaff plants ; both character flower , but only the females set fruit .

In addition , both display nondescript scale - similar “ leaves , ” although in the lawsuit of asparagus fern , they are actually not leaf but cladodes , as identify above .

Vertical image of asparagus ferns, succulents, and other plants in a garden bed, with a tree trunk in the background.

And eventually , while the two species may be grown from seeded player , it is less challenging and more coarse to depart both from tuberous source press clipping instead .

It ’s always a dainty surprisal to witness Charles Edward Berry . I ’ve even had a few appear on indoor plant . The berry append ornamental interest group , and seeds may be saved to start newfangled plants .

And while there ’s no way of decide visually if you have a female plant when you buy it ( unless it is actively produce yield ! ) , you may provide the good potential condition for fruit withabundant filtrate sunlightand a consistently moist surroundings .

Vertical image of a small asparagus fern in a blue ceramic container, on a brown wood surface with a gray background.

Outdoor plants grown in quick climates are the most likely to set fruit , and may get clusters of red or orange berries , which may change to a virtually black nuance of purple in some instance .

Expect an average mature sizing of three feet wide with ramification about three feet in duration . Some types may produce or spread several more feet under optimal precondition .

With first-class upkeep , your plants may reward you with 10 or more years of lush growth .

Vertical image of a row of green foxtail ferns growing in a strip of soil topped with wood mulch, between a sidewalk to the left and an area of crushed stone to the right.

Propagation

To start your own plant life , you ’ll need to sow seeds or divide an existing flora .

The best time to do both is in other spring .

From Seed

seed may be purchase , or you’re able to opt to store your own .

Propagating by this method acting may be dispute , as there are only one to three come per berry , and they do n’t always germinate .

When you ’re   ready to constitute your seeds , scrape them mildly with sandpaper and dowse them in piss overnight before sowing . This facilitate to facilitate sprouting , by weakening the surd out coating of the ejaculate .

Horizontal closeup image of a rootbound asparagus fern planted in a mixture of potting soil and small stones, with some crumbly soil on the work surface, next to a black container, on a white striped background.

If they are too belittled for you to plow easily , instead of using sandpaper , you could set the seeds in a handbag with a little sand and shake them up . Then place the contents of the bag into water , guts and all , to soak for the dark .

You maystart seeds indoorsin egg cartons , seed - starter trays , or maturate disks .

or else , you may sow in them directly outdoors .

Vertical closely cropped image of a vibrant green asparagus fern plant, with gray cement blocks beneath it.

Moisten your potting medium or garden grease , then place the seeds on top and crusade them down mildly . Do not pass over the seed with territory as they need light to germinate .

rate in a location that receive collateral sunshine . conserve even wet , watering before the soil dries out entirely .

They can take up to four workweek to germinate , so be patient !

A potted light green asparagus fern in a gray metal container, on a white pedestal with a decorative gray star on the front, on a light gray background.

By Division

To start up a plant by this method acting , consult our guide to dissever perennial .

A division is receive by reduce straight down through a mature industrial plant ’s rhizome , separating the cut lot , and constitute it elsewhere . The root are essential , as stem alone will not regrow .

localize the division into your choice of potting culture medium or garden soil , and water well .

Closeup overhead shot of a ming fern, with a red brick background.

Maintain even moisture , watering before the grunge dries out completely .

How to Grow

polish is easy , once you get laid how . Wear gloves to avoid being nicked by thorns , and the rest is smooth sailplaning .

For container horticulture , opt a pot that is sturdy , as the root system of this species is vigorous enough to split right through a thin charge card container . It should be with child enough to accommodate the mature width of your plant , which will be notedon your semen packetor nursery mickle rag .

Alternatively , you may get down small and graduate to larger pots as needed .

Vertical image of a potted asparagus fern in a blue and white ceramic pot, on a black background, lit from above.

Be indisputable there are decent drainage holes .

Expect to repot each time your plant ’s roots pass out of infinite and begin to prod through the drain hole in the bottom .

Use anorganically - rich   potting mediumthat is slightly acidic , with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 .

Horizontal image of two large foxtail fern plants, in a garden bed in the southwestern United States with succulents and other plants.

Provide collateral sunlight to annul scorching the leafage and drying out the soil .

Avoid drastic temperature changes and unequal Light Within , which may have the cladodes to put down .

During the develop season , keep the soil evenly moist , but not drenched . In wintertime , ontogenesis slacken down and less pee is need .

A close up of a plant in a light green ceramic pot placed on a table in front of a window, on a sunny day.

Fertilize lightly with an equally balanced dim - release houseplant fertilizer , if want .

you’re able to pick up for houseplants in this guide .

Some folk let the land dry out between waterings , but you break away the risk of causing accent that can result in leaf browning or leafage drop-off . If cladophyll start to turn yellow , piss less ofttimes .

A close up of a collection of terra cotta pots in the shape of a person sitting on the ground in front of a tall tree, with asparagus fern growing out of the top pot to depict hair.

You may keep plant outdoors during temperate months .

To grow in the garden , direct sow source or transplant seedlings in the natural spring to a location with filtered sunlight or afternoon subtlety .

sustain even moisture , watering before the soil dries out completely , and supplying approximatelyone inch per calendar week .

A swathe of asparagus fern growing in a border beside a stone wall, with lawn in the foreground.

Growing Tips

You wo n’t find an easier plant to grow when you remember to :

Take upkeep of its want , and you will be rewarded with plushy growing .

Pruning and Maintenance

Early springtime is the best sentence for evaluating the motive of your plants , both indoors and out .

If you notice you require to clip away some yellow or brown cladodes , or a bow that is throw everything off balance , prune at the base of a stalk , not at the point or mid - section .

Periodic pruning of “ one-time wood ” keeps staunch youthful and sassy .

It ’s not uncommon for indoor plant to miss some cladodes during the wintertime , so keep this in brain when choosing a location for them , as some cleanup may be required .

Now ’s the fourth dimension to decide if you need to repot . While some argue that Asparagus officinales fern likes to be pot - bound , I commend repotting when it becomes so rootbound it begins to burst through the drain trap .

pick out a container that is a few inches wider and improbable than the diameter of the rootstalk to allow for room to grow . You may also   ease your rootbound flora out of the grass and separate it   before repotting it . The naval division make prissy gifts for friends .

If you resolve not to repot , brush up the old hatful with the addition of some reinvigorated pot medium ferment into the existing dirt .

As the originate season suffer underway , begin to fertilize once a month . Discontinue program as fall approaches and ontogenesis retard down .

Treat outdoor plant in a similar way . Spring is the metre to dress and begin fertilizing . Work someorganically - rich compostinto your soil , and be vigilant about asseverate even moisture throughout the growing season .

industrial plant have a tendency to become trespassing open , so carve up seam and border plant as needed . As an alternative to in - primer planting , consider setting pots of asparagus fern out among specimen planting to contain their spread .

For more heavyset increase , you may pinch back the produce tips . And if a plant is totally out of control , you may snip it down to a few inch improbable and start over .

In the garden , be sure to weed on a regular basis to concentrate competition for body of water and inhibit pest and disease .

If you ’re lucky enough to have blossoms , watch for Berry so you may save the seeds to test to jump new plant .

When the berry soften and begin to decay , pick them and remove the seed . Be sure to wear gloves , and keep the harvested berries and seeds aside from children and deary .

pass over off all the berry pulp magazine and permit the seeds to dry thoroughly in a coolheaded , juiceless localisation .

Cultivars to Select

The character you are most likely to happen for sale at nursery and garden nerve center are :

A. densiflorus

There are two common cultivars of the speciesA. densiflorus , ‘ Myeri ’ and ‘ Sprengeri . ’

When shop for these types , you are potential to come upon variations of their received species and cultivar names , likeA. densiflorus‘Myers,’A. densiflorus‘Myersii,’A. densiflorus‘Sprengeri , ’ and evenA. sprengeri .

Unfortunately , corruptions of the right botanic names abound , but do n’t lease them confuse you .

In accession , according to the horticulturist in theMaster Gardener Program Division of Extension at the University of Wisconsin - Madison , “ the precise categorisation of this species is a fleck lost , with most references toAsparagus densiflorus , but the namesA. aethiopicus , A. sprengeri , andProtasparagus densiflorusare also used as well by some . ”

Also known as foxtail grass fern , A. densiflorus‘Myeri ’ has a characteristic conical plumage form .

Each stem is densely packed with leaves resembling pine needles and stand clearly away from the others like the downy tail of a dodger , hence the name .

White flowers may appear in the summertime , followed by reddened berries in the fall .

A. densiflorus‘Myerii ’ Seeds

Texturally - full-bodied foxtail top out at two feet grandiloquent , with a scatter of three to four feet .

Packets of 100A. densiflorus‘Myerii ’ seeds areavailable from honest Leaf Market .

Often called emerald fern , A. densiflorus‘Sprengeri ’ has a mounding habit , and airy foliage that resemble small pine phonograph needle on gracefully arching stems .

Mature specimen become almost woody .

They may stomach white blossoms followed by red berries , look upon gender , a characteristic that ’s seldom known in progress by the purchasing consumer .

A. Sprengeri

exquisitely arching stems may produce white or pinkish blossoms , and Chuck Berry that turn from dark-green to red ink in wintertime . This variety has a mature height of one to two infantry tall , and a bed covering of three to four feet .

A. sprengeriseeds areavailable from dead on target Leaf Market .

A. retrofractus

Also known asA. myriocladus , A. aethiopicus‘Myriocladus , ’ orA. macowanii , this is a   lacy kind frequentlyused in cut floral arranging .

A. retrofractusis sometimes called pom - pom asparagus fern because needle - like leaves seem sporadically in clusters along slender prow .

It ’s also referred to as zig - zag fern , because of the interesting back - and - forth arrangement of its branches . ashen blossoms leading to orange berries that mature to pitch-dark may come out .

This type typically attain a mature height of two feet .

A. setaceus

Also known asProtasparagus setaceusorA. plumosus , A. setaceusis a twisty climber that abide the closest resemblance to a typical fern , in my ruling .

Cladodes like the finest pine needles adorn stem in a triangular pattern .

This cultivar has a more stocky growth habit that makes an eye - catch ground cover .

A. plumosa‘Nanus ’

It farm to a ripe height of one and a one-half to two feet , with a banquet of two to three feet .

A. plumosa‘Nanus ’ seed areavailable from genuine Leaf Market . Each package contains 100 seed .

Please keep in nous that smartly growing Asparagus officinales ferns planted outside may become invasive in certain climate . Also , most wo n’t perform well in temperature below freezing .

Again , we never know if we ’re generate a male or female plant , and while both may produce nondescript bloom under optimum conditions , only females set fruit .

Managing Pests and Disease

block temperature extreme , and with proper firing and weewee , you should experience few disease or gadfly result with asparagus fern .

Stress from over- or under - watering may make the right environs foraphids , mealybugs , wanderer pinch , andwhitefliesto infest the plants .

Use an insecticidal soap or neem rock oil to repair the situation , and do n’t hesitate to fertilize lightly and prune voiceless for a fresh start .

In plus , you may attractslugsif conditions are too wet , so avoid spare moisture , and use methods such as decoy , barriers , and traps if they are a problem .

As for disease , overly wet condition may invite fungal conditions such as :

All three may present themselves when conditions are too cockeyed , andmay be turn to with antimycotic .

Best Uses

This plant offer everyone the power to enjoy it indoors as a houseplant .

In Zones 9 to 11 , except where it is known to be invasive , you may add it to your year - circular outside animation space .

Those in other regions , where the summers are warm , may give their houseplant a yearly dissemination .

This showy plant is particularly attractive in suspended planter both indoors and out .

Growing in container controls spread out and lets you desegregate and meet plants with different watering necessary .

The emerald green hue and texturally - fertile , needle - like cladode give asparagus fern kind an ephemeral quality that adds visual stake to gardens , where it naturalizes readily .

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Beauty and Braun

It ’s time to add an asparagus fern or two to your indoor decor , or temperate outside living space . pick out locations with indirect , filtered , or part Dominicus for good termination .

Do n’t waffle to prune your flora hard to maintain their attractive forms . Despite their delicate appearance , you ’ll find they are   human dynamo that leave years of vigorous ontogenesis and textural appeal .

expose them inhanging containerson a terrace for a cascading effect , or rent them trail across a ledge or accent mesa .

No matter where or how you feature these hardy , low - maintenance ornamental specimens , they are sure to delight you and visitant to your home with their gentle looker .

For moreindoor horticulture musical theme , try these article next :

Photos by Allison Sidhu , © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the beginning put out February 20 , 2019 . Last update June 12 , 2020 . Product photos via Hirt ’s Gardens and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .

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