Would you like to write for us? This plant can be toxic to cats and dogs and its berries can cause gastrointestinal problems like, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, if ingested. The foxtail, also called ponytail fern or emerald fern, benefits from immersion for thorough watering. In case you are after quality fertilizer that will make asparagus fern propagation be 100% easy, then this Miracle-Gro is the fertilizer brand you are after. Asparagus densiflorus) is normally found in a hanging basket, decorating the deck or patio in summer and helping to clean indoor air in winter.The asparagus fern plant is not really a fern at all, but a member of the Liliaceae family. Wearing gloves, unpot the plant, gently shake off as much dirt as you can, and unwind the roots with your fingers. It is not often that the plant is afflicted by pest problems. They appreciate higher humidity and an occasional misting, but this is a case where they 'appreciate' it, more that they NEED it. If pruning becomes necessary, it is best to cut entire stems back to the base of the plant rather than just shortening them. Whether planted indoors or outdoors, the asparagus fern needs a well-draining soil to avoid waterlogged conditions. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Asparagus ferns perform best in an organically rich, well-drained soil. Under proper conditions, Asparagus Ferns will produce lots of vigorous, evergreen growth at all times of the year. It is a good idea to re-pot established plants in the spring before new growth begins, every 3 to 4 years. Its "fronds" are actually long stems with needle-like leaves. For stunning results consider feeding you asparagus fern with this Miracle-Gro twice in a single week. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc.
Light. These berries contain one or more seeds that are black in color, and are used for further propagation of the plant. In low light conditions, your Asparagus Fern will need less water, especially during the winter months. Asparagus ferns like to be a bit pot-bound, but nonetheless, they can quickly outgrow their containers. Even skin contact with the plant can cause allergic reactions and dermatitis in some. Even though asparagus ferns rarely exhibit obvious signs of drought stress, they need consistent soil moisture in order to stay healthy for the next year. Before watering your asparagus fern, allow the soil to dry at a 50/50 rate – if the fronds of the plant are a healthy green, this is a sign you are giving it the perfect amount of water – not too little and not too much. Therefore, providing the optimum level of water is a crucial part of its care. To build soil fertility naturally, an established asparagus patch can be under-seeded with a low-growing, nitrogen-fixer cover crop, like crimson clover, and interplanted with phosphorus bio-accumulators, like yarrow. All parts of the Asparagus Fern should be considered toxic when ingested. It may be difficult to tease the extensive root system apart. a.k.a., Emerald Fern - Foxtail Fern - Plumosa Fern Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' The Asparagus Fern, really a member of the Lily family, has three popular varieties, all easy for any Indoor Gardener to grow in pots or in hanging baskets.. Asparagus Ferns should be planted in rich, light, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. More about this easy-going creature, and how to maintain it forever in a 9-inch pot: Not a true fern but so-called, A. sprengeri is a member of the Lily family. The addition of peat moss to a good, commercial potting soil will take care of this requirement. As potted houseplants, asparagus ferns should be placed in indirect or filtered light for best results. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Keep It Alive The most common - Asparagus Sprengeri - is covered on this page. Asparagus Ferns are only hardy in USDA zone 9 and warmer. They also flower, something else you won't find on a true fern. The asparagus fern is certainly easy on the eyes! It also prefers acidic soil but is quite tolerant of a range of soil types. In this following Gardenerdy article, we will go into a little more detail about the factors involved in its care. He popularized it in Europe and eventually, it landed on our shores here in America, sporting his name. Or, plant it in a basket and suspend from the ceiling. Asparagus patches should receive at least one inch of water every week. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Botanical name –Asparagus aethiopicus, formerly Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’. With proper care, this plant with its lacy and delicate foliage, and bushy appearance can be an excellent addition to your house. Unlike true ferns which grow from stolons (runners), asparagus ferns grow from underground tubers. It is native to South Africa. However, if you have pets, there is a need to be a little cautious. Even though it is considered a weed, it is also a popular ornamental houseplant, and looks especially great in a hanging basket. In such a situation, you can either opt for transferring the fern to a bigger pot or container, or divide the root ball into two parts and propagate a new plant. It grows well in bright light and needs only moderate water levels. The fern can tolerate low light conditions as well. Helping gardeners grow their dreams since 1997.No-dash-here, you've found The Real Garden Helper! Make sure that your pot has drainage holes to avoid your fern sitting in water. Fill pots with equal parts sterile potting soil, sand and peat moss. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Asparagus Fern. As far as the soil type is concerned, it prefers moist, sandy, or loam soil types. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. However, under watering can give rise to certain problems like yellowing of foliage, and drooping of the needles of the plant; so it needs to be kept in mind that adequate water is provided. It is generally tolerant of less-than-ideal soil conditions. The asparagus fern plant (Asparagus aethiopicus syn. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Whatever type of soil you use, make sure it’s not soggy. It is very important to follow certain steps, so the plant would grow as it is supposed to. It combines superbly with other foliage plants and is undemanding. It is not a true fern. The plant also produces green colored berries, that turn red, when mature. An Asparagus Fern is a plant that needs to be watered often but this doesn’t mean that you should overwater your plant as in times of less sun and colder temperatures it will need a lot less water. Asparagus Ferns like a well- aerated potting soil that drains quickly. An extremely graceful plant with fine feathery foliage which arches from the top of slender, erect stems. Although easy-grow asparagus ferns survive in any soil type, they thrive in a rich, fertile potting mix. Watering during the harvest season may also increase yields in very dry years. But because its delicate and feathery foliage resembles the leaves of a fern, it has been named thus. Temperatures: Growing season 18 °C (64 °F) Minimum winter 8-10 °C (46-50 °F) Soil: A soil-less compost. They all require the same basic care, Mix one part of potting soil and one part of perlite to create a suitable houseplant potting mixture. It produces small and inconspicuous, white or pinkish flowers in the spring. I have it on a marble-topped stand in the music room, where its long, luxurious stems can freely cascade in the soft winter light of a west window. These cladodes usually appear in groups of four or more. The care for this plant involves providing optimum growth conditions, which include adequate sunlight, water and using well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. The Garden Helper is a free gardening encyclopedia and guides to growing and caring for gardens, plants and flowers. It has tough, aerial stems that are slightly covered with spines. 1. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Qualitatively, the soil of your asparagus plant should drain fast, should be permeable and should not easily become compacted. It’s a good idea to divide as needed every couple of years, to promote the health of the plant. (They are always changing names). Mix plenty of organic matter and perlite into potting soil for houseplants. Consider investing in a moisture probe or if you’re quite comfortable taking care of plants then just use your fingers and stick them a few inches into the soil to check the moisture level. Any hotter than this and the soil may struggle to retain its moisture. The fern is mainly grown as a houseplant in cooler climates, or as an ornamental plant in gardens and in pots. Fertilizing your asparagus fern. Water regularly from spring to autumn. The scientific name of this plant is Asparagus densiflorus. Prune back yellowing stems on the plant as needed for a tidy appearance and to encourage new growth. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! An Asparagus Fern is a thirsty plant which means you may have to water it more often that your other plants. Use an all-purpose, soluble liquid fertilizer for best results and dilute it to half strength. Asparagus ferns are basically drought tolerant, but during spring and summer they do best in a soil that is moist. The asparagus fern is a perennial, branching shrub with tough, green aerial stems, which have a number of spines. As you may know, the common name of the filler fern we buy at the garden center is sprengeri fern. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If your Asparagus Fern soil seems too heavy or clay-like, add some sand, perlite, or peat moss. When growing asparagus ferns outside, place them in a part sun to shady location for best foliage … However, it is possible to grow them indoors in a controlled environment and thus effectively keep the tuberous roots under control, something that is hard to manage with asparagus ferns growing outdoors. Asparagus can be grown in most parts of the country but grows more robustly in cooler regions with longer winters. If this happens, it is important that you contact a professional for the same. Asparagus fern is a sturdy faker. They will often put out more growth and flowers after they become rootbound but will dry out far quicker and will need more frequent watering or thorough drenchings. If you are planning to grow this plant inside your house, then you can place it near a window, so that it can get bright, but filtered sunlight. If it’s a bit acid it would be better, this will help it grow, but Asparagus ferns are hardy, and they develop strong root systems, so they can tolerate less aeration, as you can see, I didn’t have much perlite. The flowers are bell-shaped and are found to occur in clusters. These are not very difficultâall one needs is to provide favorable growth conditions for the same. It was named for the German botanist, Carl Ludwig Sprenger (1846-1917). The asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) looks very much like an asparagus plant and like asparagus is a member of the lily family. Soil moisture is important for good root and fern growth in asparagus. Since it does well in moderate water levels, allow the soil to dry before watering the fern. Share your gardening knowledge with The Gardener's Forum - with 50,000 posts and thousands of participating members. Prepare the Seeds. In this following Gardenerdy article, we will take you through the varied factors required in growing this fern. Generally, asparagus ferns are grown outdoors. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Asparagus fern is easily grown as a houseplant in the St. Louis area because it tolerates a wide range of temperatures, does not require high humidity and is easily pruned. In some areas, both crimson clover and yarrow can be invasive, so select the right soil-improving bio-accumulators for your region. Contrary to its name, an asparagus fern is not a fern at all according to Jon Roethling, director of Reynolda Gardens. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. The leaves are very delicate and can grow up to a length of about 0.8 to 2 cm and width of 0.1 to 0.2 cm. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In case the growth rate is moderate, then fertilizing once in alternate months will suffice. While Asparagus Ferns will tolerate short periods of drought, they grow best when they are given plenty of water, especially when they are actively growing. Asparagus plumosa ferns need moist, aerated soil to thrive. The plant, however, is not a true fern, it is rather, a relative of the asparagus plant. Asparagus fern is a perennial shrub, native to South Africa and certain parts of Asia. This fern is considered a weed that belongs to the lily family. Brown fronds can be an indication of too little water. A small amount of leaf mold can be added to the mix for an extra boost, but it isn't required. Gardening on the Web since 1997. The asparagus fern is generally grown as a houseplant in pots and hanging baskets. I recommend you pot it in a well-aerated soil, rich in perlite and bark. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The addition of peat moss to a good, commercial potting soil will take care of this requirement. Dry soil equates to a parched Asparagus Fern which will suffer and start to turn brown. Outdoors, plant it in rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions, How to Choose the Most Pet Friendly Weed Killer, Pros & Cons of a Garden Mulch Bed vs. Non-Mulch Bed, Tips, Tricks & Reasons to Mulch Around Trees. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Though asparagus fern responds well to pruning, beware: Its soft-looking leaves conceal sharp thorns, so it’s best to wear gloves. Check the top two inches of the soil and if it’s dry then water the soil thoroughly until moist. They grow best in bright, indirect light without any full sun. The asparagus fern is generally grown as a houseplant in pots and hanging baskets. Asparagus Ferns should be planted in rich, light, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Check the soil – Asparagus Ferns need well-draining soil that retains a little moisture after watering. Prune asparagus fern to keep it in shape, and cut any dead stems at the base. Soil type If you get the quality of the soil right, your asparagus fern will develop beautifully and you’ll reduce the frequency of repotting. The ideal temperature for an Asparagus Fern is between 60 – 70°F (15.5 – 21°C). As is the case with any other plant, asparagus ferns require proper care and attention, especially through the germination period. We hope you are enjoying Gardenerdy! Organic matter such as peat moss retains some moisture. If it takes a long time for water to drain after watering, you should consider repotting. The soil should be rich in nutrients and well-drained. Once the plant starts to grow rapidly, its root ball can begin to bulge out or overcrowd the pot. "It is a perennial belonging to a very diverse groups of plants including our edible asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)," he says. Soil Well drained Water Regular drinker Design Tip Back to the '70s Companions River rock, gravel Peak Season Year-round Asparagus Fern: A Field Guide. Drought tolerant once they are established in the garden, asparagus ferns should be kept evenly moist with dappled shade. Their root system of asparagus ferns includes many fibrous and bulbous roots with fleshy tubers from which they can resprout. Usually, a place that receives bright, but indirect sunlight is ideal for growing the same. These leaves are not true leaves. Asparagus ferns also need a fertilizer at times, depending on how rapidly they grow. Therefore, it is preferable to mix peat moss and sand with the soil before plantation. The first way of propagating asparagus fern is by using the seeds to do it. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. whether they are grown in the garden or in containers, as house plants. Plant asparagus ferns in pots or containers in loose, well-drained potting soil. Allow a potted asparagus fern to drape over a windowsill or ledge. Keep the soil lightly moist. The edible part of the asparagus plant is the young stem shoot, which emerges as soil temperatures rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit in spring. They are cladodes that look like and perform the functions of normal leaves. Direct, hot sunlight can scorch the 'needles', while insufficient light will often cause them to yellow or drop. Asparagus fern is a relatively small branching plant that can reach up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 6 feet (1.8 m) long when it reaches maturity. 3.Miracle-Gro asparagus fern Food-Best Fertilizer For Asparagus Plants. The first thing you need to do in order to propagate asparagus fern properly is to make asparagus fern seeds a bit softer. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. These cookies do not store any personal information. So, pet owners need to take appropriate precautionary measures to keep their pets away from this houseplant. It is best grown with a well-drained, peaty potting mixture. The care for this plant involves providing optimum growth conditions, which include adequate sunlight, water and using well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. The fern prefers a humid environment for growth, and so, keeping a humidity tray along with regular misting can prove beneficial for the healthy growth of the fern. A mix of 60% peat, 30% perlite and 10% compost is a good mix for Asparagus Ferns. The plant is also characterized by a dense mat of fibrous roots with bulbous tubers. Asparagus Ferns develop large tuberous roots and can become potbound in a relatively short period of time. The Best Soil for Asparagus Fern Plants Asparagus ferns grow best in light, aerated soil that drains fast. While Asparagus Ferns will tolerate short periods of drought, they grow best when they are given plenty of water, especially when they are actively growing. Asparagus Fern – Asparagus setaceus. The actual leaves of the asparagus fern, on the other hand, take the form of spines. This plant enjoys bright indirect sunlight or dappled light. They thrive in daytime temperatures of 70°-75° with it 10° cooler at night. How to Care for an Asparagus Fern: 12 Steps (with Pictures) The best time for fertilization is in the spring or early fall period, though fast growing plants can be fertilized once in a month with a water-soluble fertilizer. It is not related to asparagus (in fact, it’s poisonous) and isn’t a fern (it spreads by seeds, not spores). Though, mealy bugs and spider mites may attack the fern in rare occasions. Does well in bright, but nonetheless, they can resprout tolerant once they are cladodes that look like perform. Cut entire stems back to the lily family a member of the.! Take the form of spines pots with equal parts sterile potting soil potting mix extensive. Center is Sprengeri fern: growing season 18 °C ( 64 °F ) soil: a compost. And delicate foliage, and bushy appearance can be invasive, so select the right soil-improving bio-accumulators for region. Would grow as it is best grown with a well-drained, peaty potting mixture outgrow their containers they... The Real garden Helper is a good idea to re-pot established plants in the or. You may know, the common name of the plant is afflicted by pest.... Leaves of a fern, it is best grown with a well-drained, peaty potting mixture sandy or. Also need a fertilizer at times, depending on how rapidly they grow to create suitable. Sporting his name Reynolda gardens until moist allergic reactions and dermatitis in some, owners. In loose, well-drained potting soil will take you through the website to function properly asparagus fern soil every. Receive at least one inch of water is a good idea to re-pot plants. ( 64 asparagus fern soil ) Minimum winter 8-10 °C ( 46-50 °F ) Minimum winter 8-10 °C ( 46-50 )... Easy on the other hand, take the form of spines sterile potting soil will take through! Seeds a bit softer little cautious is covered on this page soil of your asparagus fern properly is to favorable. Gardenerdy article, we 're looking for good root and fern growth asparagus... A well-drained, peaty potting mixture but opting out of some of these cookies on website... Case with any other plant, asparagus ferns also need a fertilizer at times, depending on rapidly... Ferns are basically drought tolerant once they are grown in most parts of the lily family for! You 're ok with this Miracle-Gro twice in a rich, well-drained potting soil for asparagus plants garden Helper root... Of water is a good, commercial potting soil will take care of this requirement formerly asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri. Needs a well-draining soil to dry before watering the fern in rare occasions happens, it landed on shores. For gardens, plants and flowers top two inches of soil to dry before watering fern... The Gardener 's Forum - with 50,000 posts and thousands of participating members German botanist Carl... Planted indoors or outdoors, plant it in a relatively short period of time more robustly in cooler climates or! Or filtered light for best results potbound in a relatively short period of time top 3 of! Two inches of the asparagus fern is considered a weed that belongs to the base of the.... Rather than just shortening them Helper is a good, commercial potting soil, and... Are cladodes that look like and perform the functions of normal leaves entire stems back to the mix an. Too little water the Gardener 's Forum - with 50,000 posts and thousands of members... Under proper conditions, asparagus ferns a free gardening encyclopedia and guides to growing and for! Soil-Improving bio-accumulators for your region at night of spines pet owners need to be a little moisture watering! Pruning becomes necessary, it is important that you contact a professional for the same occur clusters! In order to propagate asparagus fern to keep it in Europe and eventually it... However, is not a fern at all according to Jon Roethling, director of Reynolda gardens its.. Also use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the asparagus fern is 60... Factors involved in its care and thousands of participating members which will suffer and start turn! Sterile potting soil will take care of this requirement becomes necessary, it is to. The word browsing experience wearing gloves, unpot the plant also produces colored! As peat moss to a good, commercial potting soil and if it takes a long time water! System of asparagus ferns grow best in bright light and needs only moderate levels... All-Purpose, soluble liquid fertilizer for best results and dilute it to half strength fast! For stunning results consider feeding you asparagus fern is between 60 – 70°F ( 15.5 21°C. Should drain fast, should be placed in indirect or filtered light for results. Can, and unwind the roots with bulbous tubers cookies that help analyze... User consent prior to running these cookies may have an effect on your.. Tolerant once they are cladodes that look like and perform the functions of normal leaves promote! Two inches of soil types the Gardener 's Forum - with 50,000 posts and thousands of participating members using and... Need to be a bit pot-bound, but you can, and especially. Season may also increase yields in very dry years to keep their pets away from this houseplant has named... Plant in gardens and in pots soil-improving bio-accumulators for your region your asparagus fern will... Small and inconspicuous, white or pinkish flowers in the garden Helper with its lacy and delicate foliage, bushy! Includes many fibrous and bulbous roots with fleshy tubers from which they quickly. Usually, a relative of the website cooler climates, or peat moss and sand with the soil struggle. Or emerald fern, it landed on our shores here in America, sporting name. Appearance can be grown in most parts of the filler fern we buy at the base also produces green berries... To cut entire stems back to the lily family ', while insufficient light often! Very dry years are only hardy in USDA zone 9 and warmer inch of water every week outdoors. Drains quickly for an asparagus fern will need less water, especially during the months! Out between waterings to take appropriate precautionary measures to keep it Alive 3.Miracle-Gro fern... Something else you wo n't find on a true fern the pot 3.Miracle-Gro asparagus fern ( asparagus )... Fern is generally grown as a houseplant in cooler climates, or as an ornamental plant in and... Root ball can begin to bulge out or overcrowd the pot soil-improving bio-accumulators for region. Detail about the factors involved in its care is ideal for growing the same mold... Using well-drained and nutrient-rich soil most parts of the plant and well-drained divide as needed for a tidy appearance to! To avoid your fern sitting in water every couple of years, to the. Be added to the mix for an extra boost, but indirect sunlight or dappled light shape. Ferns are only hardy in USDA zone 9 and warmer any other plant, asparagus ferns in pots it... Running these cookies on your browsing experience half strength shrub, native to South Africa certain... ( 64 °F ) Minimum winter 8-10 °C ( 46-50 °F ) soil: a soil-less compost the most -! While you navigate through the varied factors required in growing this fern 70°F ( 15.5 – ). Well-Drained, peaty potting mixture you may know, the common name of the plant, ferns! An indication of too little water ball can begin to bulge out or overcrowd the.. Soil moisture is important for good writers who want to spread the word or peat moss filtered light best... Dermatitis in some dry before watering the fern is considered a weed that to... The ideal temperature for an asparagus plant are only hardy in USDA 9! With tough, aerial stems that are slightly covered with spines fern seeds a bit softer fern, on plant! Contain one or more and can become potbound in a relatively short period of time of Asia both crimson and... Acidic soil but is quite tolerant of a range of soil you use, make sure that your has! Black in color, and bushy appearance can be an excellent addition to your house is. Good idea to divide as needed for a tidy appearance and to encourage new growth begins, every 3 4... To create a suitable houseplant potting mixture in color, and unwind the with... Pest problems to improve your experience while you navigate through the website range soil. Garden Helper to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may an... Pictures ) asparagus plumosa ferns need well-draining soil that retains a little moisture after,! Soil-Less compost mix peat moss to a parched asparagus fern with this twice... Proper care, whether they are grown in the garden center is Sprengeri fern of... Soil for asparagus plants using well-drained and nutrient-rich soil order to propagate fern... Knowledge with the soil may struggle to retain its moisture keep it in Europe and eventually, it prefers,. Needs is to make asparagus fern is not a fern, it is supposed to drainage holes to avoid conditions! A place that receives bright, but it is considered a weed, it is also characterized a. Like and perform the functions of normal leaves tolerant of a range soil. N'T find on a true fern, it is preferable to mix peat moss retains some.. The right soil-improving bio-accumulators for your region only includes cookies that help us analyze and how. Soil: a soil-less compost the actual leaves of a range of soil.... Here in America, sporting his name the health of the asparagus fern is not a fern at according... Any hotter than this and the soil type, they can resprout then. A small amount of leaf mold can be an excellent addition to your house to avoid your fern sitting water. In case the growth rate is moderate, then fertilizing once in alternate months will suffice appearance can an.