Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
Asparagus Fern
Native to Southern Africa. Also called plume asparagus or foxtail fern. A member of the lily family (Liliaceae), closely related to vegetable asparagus, and not a fern. Delicate needle-like leaflets. Tiny white to pale pink flowers, green berries (poisonous) that turn red in the winter. Invasive. Trailing stems can reach 90 cm long.
Since May 2022
Purchased 2 from Home Depot, 12 May 2022. Young 12 cm tall plants in 10 cm containers. $3.48 each.
Grower label
- Asparagus Fern, Sprengeri
- Grown by: Cherry Creek Greenhouses, Vineland, ON
- Annual, full
- Height: 25-40 cm
- Space: 20-30 cm
- Water: Water regularly until established.
- $3.48
Journal
- 12 May: Purchased.
- 16 May: Transferred to small 10 cm pot each. Kept indoor.
Poison warning
Toxic to cats and dogs. Most toxic part is the red berries: Causing stomach ache.
Care
- Water: Water regularly, do not overwater. Let soil dry out a little between waterings. Thick tuberous roots store water and soggy soil cause root rot. Winter: water sparingly but don't allow dry out completely.
- Light: Bright indirect. turn quarter every week.
- Humidity: Prefer moist air. 40% or higher. Dryness can cause leaflets shedding. Mist daily. Use a tray of wet pebbles if needed.
- Temparature:18-24 °C. Tolerate 10 °C. Keep away from heat and AC, they might cause dry out.
- Soil & potting: All-purpose potting mix. Repot in spring. Move pot only 1 size larger. Give 1-2 inches vertical space deep from the pot rim because the fleshy tuberous roots sometimes lift up the soil as it grows.
- Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring to fall with a balanced house plant fertilizer, diluted by half
- Propagation: Easy to grow from seeds. Divide overcrowded plants in spring: Take out from container and divide with s sharp knife. Keep roots attached as much as possible.
- Pruning: Prune back older and bare stems to keep plant neat and to make room for new growth.
Common problems
- Yellow leaflets: Usually caused by soggy soil or not getting enough sunlight.
- Leaf drop: Usually caused by too much sunlight or dry soil (more likely)
- Spider mites: Might attack if air is dry.