This bushy , fern - similar perennial is easy to grow as a houseplant or alfresco in a warm clime .
The versatile Asparagus officinales fern is an attractive herbaceous perennial native to South Africa . Despite its common name , it is botanically not afern . The soft grain of the pocket-sized , needle - like leaves resembles the foliage ofasparagusplants , with the leafage graciously arching outwards .
Asparagus fern makes a heavy , bushy houseplant . out of doors , it is grown as an one-year or , in USDA zone 9 - 11 , as a perennial . It adds an airy texture to mixed garden beds and produces dainty white blossom followed by red berriesthat pull in birds .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Asparagus fern is toxic to pets .
Where to Plant Asparagus Fern
The easy requirement of asparagus fern are similar to those of ferns . Plant in a placement where it gets mottled shade and the stain is fat , moist but well - drained , and slightly acidic .
As asparagus fern tend to circularize smartly through its fleshy beginning , select a positioning where you could keep an eye on its enlargement and control it if necessary . If in uncertainty , establish it in a container or a hang basketball hoop .
Asparagus fern spreads not only from its roots but also when birds circulate the seeds after eating the berries . In parts of the United States , including Florida , Hawaii , and southern California , Sprenger ’s Asparagus officinales fern is considered invasive .
Credit:Krystal Slagle / BHG
How and When to Plant Asparagus Fern
industrial plant asparagus fern in the spring so it gets established before the summer heat energy sets in . hollow a hole about twice the size of it of the nursery pot and just as deep . come out the plant in the center and backfill with original soil . Tamp it down and irrigate it right away .
Depending on the variety , space industrial plant 2 to 4 feet apart .
Asparagus Fern Care Tips
Asparagus ferns are soft - to - worry - for plants , both as houseplants and in shady garden .
Light
Outside , asparagus fern should be in a location with dappled specter . Too much sun , especially the strong afternoon Lord’s Day , causes yellowish foliage .
spot potted houseplants in a placement with collateral or filtered spark . In the summer , you canmove your potted houseplant outdoorsto a shaded porch .
Soil and Water
Asparagus fern perform best in organically plentiful , well - debilitate soilwith apH between 6.5 and 6.8 . Keep the flora evenly moist between spring and fall and water slenderly during the winter .
When grown as houseplants , asparagus fern do n’t require periods of wintertime quiescence ; however , they should receive less H2O during the winter months .
Temperature and Humidity
Asparagus ferns prefer warm and humid climate ( about 70 ° fluorine ) and do not stand firm temperature below 55 ° degree Fahrenheit for recollective periods .
Fertilizer
When the works is actively originate unexampled stems and leaf , utilise an all - purposeliquid fertiliser , diluted to half strength , about once a hebdomad .
Pruning
To promote thick plant growth , pinch the stem of your edible asparagus fern back by about a third every few month . If the industrial plant ’s contour becomes too straggling , swerve back the sure-enough stems close to the stain to advance new growth .
The stems of ripe asparagus ferns become tough and woody , with diminutive but shrill spines along the branches . When cut back sure-enough plant , protect your hands with athick span of gardening baseball glove .
Potting and Repotting
prefer a container that check the growth use of your asparagus fern . Use upright - growing edible asparagus fern as a filler and tag multifariousness in hanging baskets . Make certain the container has big drain holes and fill it with well - debilitate potting mix . Keep in mind that outdoor potted plant necessitate more frequent lacrimation than indoor plants and plants in garden soil .
When the overweight roots push out of the spate , your asparagus fern needs to be divide or repot , At this compass point , repot the whole plantinto a container one size up or divide the plant life .
Pests and Problems
Asparagus fern attractsmites , slugs , aphids , andmealybugs . Potential diseases admit leaf dapple and root or peak rot , especially when drainage is poor or the plant life is being overwatered .
How to Propagate Asparagus Fern
Because asparagus fern is such a vigorous agriculturalist , propagating it by separate itis the light , fastest , and most dependable method to make a unexampled works .
In the spring or summer , dig up a ripe asparagus fern or remove it from its pot . Carefully separate the rhizomes into sections by turn off them with a sharp , unobjectionable knife . Make certain that each incision has several root on them . Replant each section at the same depth as the original works or in a pot with reinvigorated potting soil . Water immediately and keep the new plant well - water until you see new emergence .
Types of Asparagus Fern
‘Sprengeri’ Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus’Sprengeri ' is the most widely uncommitted variety . It has arching theme with in - farseeing sorry green needles . If you are planning to plant it outdoors , be aware of the invasive nature of this variety .
Foxtail Fern
Krystal Slagle / BHG
Asparagus densiflorus’Myers ' has dense , bottle clash - same stems that farm more upright . Because of this , it is best beseem as a filler in containers .
Dwarf Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus’Nana ' is a midget variety of edible asparagus fern that grow just 12 to 15 inch tall with short , upright stanch and soft , emerald - greenish foliation .
Common Asparagus Fern
Asparagus plumosus , previously have it away asAsparagus setaceus , looks the most like a true fern . The circulate layered stems are covered with flyspeck sonant needle . elder stem often grow several groundwork long . abridge them back to advertize denser maturation .
Garden Plan for Asparagus Fern
Partial Shade Garden Plan
Thisgarden architectural plan for partial shadeuses Lord’s Day - roll in the hay plants that will still do well if they are shaded only part of the solar day , though they may not bloom as profusely as they would in full sun . The pattern have easy - precaution , summertime - bloom perennial such as daylilies , phlox , and genus Hosta .
To keep the color show going all season long , an regalia of yearly such as coleus and petunias fills in the front of this beautiful border .
Frequently Asked Questions
Place the flora in a spot with brilliant luminance and away from order of payment or heat sources . Water it just enough to keep the soil moist . When the temperature gain at least 60 ° F in leap , move the container outside in a protect area for a duet of weeks before moving it to its permanent summertime placement .
Leaf dropping commonly materialize as a result of inconsistent watering . Increase the absolute frequency ( not the loudness ) of watering and also mist the plants .
" Asparagus Fern " . ASPCA .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
" Asparagus officinales densiflorus ' Sprengeri' . “Missouri Botanical Garden .
Credit: Mavis Augustine Torke
