It is not related to asparagus (in fact, it’s poisonous) and isn’t a fern (it spreads by seeds, not spores). The foxtail fern is the brightest and most structured, but it’s usually grown outdoors. While asparagus ferns don’t mind being slightly rootbound, you’ll need to repot them regularly. Compact asparagus ferns are also ideal in containers indoors if you live in cold regions. The small asparagus ferns grow up to 15” (0.4 m) tall. The fern-like plants are known for their feathery clumps of leaves. The arching stems of Myers asparagus fern, also known as foxtail fern, grow to 2 feet long and resemble the dense fur of a fox’s tail. The asparagus plants should be transplanted to their final planting site in the second year following the directions for planting crowns (below). However, all asparagus ferns thrive when the temperatures average 70°F (21°F). "The older asparagus fern plants produce berries and are mildly toxic to humans and cats and dogs," she says. The Asparagus Fern grows about 1’ to 2’ feet tall and 3’ to 4’ feet wide. One of the fastest-growing least demanding houseplants. Also called common wild asparagus, this evergreen plant has thorny leaves. Each frond on the sprengeri reaches up to two feet in length. Avoid consuming these berries as they are poisonous. The foliage has more of a pine needle look than other varieties of asparagus fern, in an attractive bright green shade. About asparagus ferns This elegant little indoor plant is native to South Africa, where it grows in soft clumps in steamy forests. The best recommendation to grow asparagus ferns is to plant it in pots outdoors to prevent them from becoming invasive. The leaves of asparagus plumosa fern (in the picture) are actually leaf-like flattened stems that are called cladodes. The plumosa fern gets one of its botanical names—Asparagus plumosus—from its plume-like foliage. Description Ming ferns typically grow to between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) tall. Asparagus ferns climb, trail, or sit upright, which makes them very flexible plants … Asparagus setaceus. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, fern background image by Vasiliy Koval from. Most varieties of asparagus ferns are small flowering shrubs with lush light-green foliage. see more. When you repot your asparagus fern, use the opportunity to divide the tuber root for propagation. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month and high season for asparagus. Rather, it’s a quick-growing tropical perennial that’s virtually indestructible as a houseplant. Its rich color accents most flowers and its fine texture makes asparagus fern a welcome addition to container gardens. However, the edible stalks are harvest… There are 3 main varieties of asparagus fern: the foxtail fern, the plumosa fern and the sprengeri fern. "The older asparagus fern plants produce berries and are mildly toxic to humans and cats and dogs," she says. By the end of May, asparagus is at the end of its season in most locations. Indoor humidity levels are usually too dry for healthy asparagus fern growth. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! In some circumstances, they can even be toxic to children and pets. Like most asparagus ferns, the wild asparagus species produces clusters of small greenish-white flowers. If the look and health of your plant have been marred by yellow foliage, don’t despair. Also, ingesting the berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. As an alternative to in-ground planting, consider setting pots of asparagus fern out among specimen plantings to contain their spread. Most asparagus ferns also grow well in containers, allowing gardeners in colder climates to enjoy growing them. Mix one part of potting soil and one part of perlite to create a suitable houseplant potting mixture. Additionally, nuisance pests called asparagus beetles are known to inhabit the ferns, where they lay eggs in … Another common name for Sprenger’s asparagus is the asparagus emerald fern. Average room temperatures are ideal. Or, you can allow the sprawling leaves to grow as ground cover for shady areas. Whether or not you should trim your Asparagus Fern will depend on what you want to get from your plant, how well it’s been growing, the size of your plant and other factors. Care 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.. An Asparagus Fern turning yellow is most commonly due to overwatering or insufficient lighting. A feature of Ming ferns is the branches that grow in a zig-zag pattern. Asparagus ferns don’t grow well in dark rooms. However, in spring, you could trim off dead, yellow, or brown foliage to improve the plant’s appearance. The Sprengeri fern’s airy emerald-green foliage looks like a type of fern plant. White asparagus is not a separate variety but is grown under different growing conditions.. Whilst some varieties are naturally taller or thinner than others growing conditions also affect the shape of … The tree thrives in full sun or partial shade in hardiness zones 9 to 11. Sprengeri also works well as a groundcover, whereby its low-maintenance, drought-tolerant capabilities really shine. Dwarf asparagus ferns have emerald-green feathery leaves but are smaller and more compact the plumosa fern. However, they will also thrive indoors in containers that are protected from direct sunlight. This species is considered a weed in New Zealand, Florida, and Hawaii. Asparagus ferns are hardy, woody plants that are generally free from bugs and disease. Flowering and Fragrance. Nancy Wagner is a marketing strategist and speaker who started writing in 1998. Healthy roots produce healthier plants, and a more bountiful crop in the next growing season. When propagating asparagus ferns by root division, ensure there are several healthy stems on each section. Asparagus ferns are easy to care for indoors. Sprengeri grows well in containers with regular watering. Plumosa ferns also produce greenish-white flowers in the shape of a bell and green berries that gradually turn black. The plant produces small pale pink flowers and tiny red berries. Varieties of Asparagus Fern. The addition of coarse sand or perlite helps to improve drainage. ‘UC 157’ – This is a hybrid asparagus that performs well in warmer climates. It truly looks remarkable and can brighten your home. Plumosa ferns have fast growth, and the scrambling light, airy plumage has soft, needle-like leaves. Mature ferns sprout … In spring, clusters of tiny white flowers appear before giving way to orange-red berries. Even though it is considered a weed, it is also a popular ornamental houseplant, and … When growing asparagus ferns outside, place them in a part sun to shady location for best foliage growth. In addition, these all-male hybrid varieties will not produce seeds (and thus, no red berries), according to this article on asparagus from Extension.org. Other ways to ensure proper humidity levels for your asparagus ferns are to use a room humidifier, sit the potted plant on a pebble and water tray, or grow together with other houseplants. The plant, also known as the ming asparagus fern, produces foliage consisting of clusters of soft needlelike leaves resembling pom poms. Growing asparagus ferns on an east-facing windowsill is excellent as the plant gets some morning sun, but no hot midday and evening sunlight. These flowers are sometimes followed by green berries, which gradually transform into bright red berries during the winter. The arching stems of Myers asparagus fern, also known as foxtail fern, grow to 2 feet long and resemble the dense fur of a fox’s tail. Although the plant has a soft appearance that almost begs to be stroked, it actually features lots of tiny spikes, and so, should be handled with care. Plant asparagus fern in garden beds where it is used as a creeper in warmer climates. ‘Jersey Knight’ is one of the more vigorous types of asparagus; highly resistant to asparagus diseases such as crown rot, rust and fusarium wilt. Proper humidity is one of the challenges when caring for asparagus ferns indoors. This fleshy plant root stores water. The most common variety is Asparagus sprengeri. These plants have their native habitat in the coastal scrubs and rocky shale slopes regions of the Northern Provinces of South Africa and the Cape Provinces. Asparagus harvest is only two months instead of the entire season, because the plants need a chance to let the ferns grow in order to recover and build up energy for the next year. Fern with new fronds developing Ferns plants and species. Other common names for the plumosa fern include the lace fern, common asparagus fern, ferny asparagus, and asparagus grass. Water asparagus ferns when the soil dries out and mist regularly to keep humidity levels high. However, asparagus fern plants in the class Asparagaceae produce seeds. Asparagus fern leaves are a type of cladode. All you need is to grow asparagus ferns in a loose, loamy potting mix and keep them in bright indirect sunlight. The best location indoors to grow asparagus ferns is near a bright window—as long as there is protection from the sun’s direct rays. It is highly disease-resistant. The new spears are ready to harvest when they reach 17 to 22 cm (7-9 in) in length. She writes business plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops. Signs you need to repot an asparagus fern growing indoors are roots poking out of the pot, soil that starts to drain poorly, or a cracked pot. Wild asparagus ferns are native to the Mediterranean region. They need bright indirect light, without full sun. The perennial wild asparagus fern grows up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) high and thrives in full sun or partial shade. The entire row is just full of asparagus fern which we'd like to get rid of..... without killing the shrubs. Asparagus is one of the few vegetables that is grown as a perennial since the plants have about a 10-year life. Stiff, woody stems create a zigzagging branching structure, hence its other nickname, the zig zag fern. Other varieties of asparagus ferns include ming fern and the more-groomed foxtail fern or Plumosa fern, an aggressive climber. The tuberous root can quickly outgrow the pot. The dense growth of this species may form impenetrable thickets that smother native understorey It has fine needle-like leaves and arching stems that can grow up to three feet long. Spray a fine mist of distilled or filtered water over the foliage crown. The fern creates energy that will be stored in the underground portion of the plant to produce the following year’s spears. The tentacles of foxtail fern, Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’, add texture and structure to a perennial bed. The most crucial soil requirement is that the growing medium doesn’t become too wet or soggy. You will more often find asparagus fern growing indoors as a dense, bushy houseplant with lace-like foliage that forms an incredible mound. Unlike true ferns which grow from stolons (runners), asparagus ferns grow from underground tubers. Image 7 is a much more established plant to show how big and luscious the plant will eventually grow. Myers Asparagus (Asparagus Densiflorus 'Myers') The arching stems of Myers asparagus fern, also known as foxtail fern, grow to 2 feet long and resemble the dense fur of a fox’s tail. You can apply a diluted liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season to promote lush foliage growth. Sprenger’s asparagus ferns have long, arching fern-like leaves densely covered with clusters of soft needles. The asparagus fern plant (Asparagus aethiopicus syn. Flowers and berries of Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’. Please read this article to find out about the best organic fertilizers for houseplants. Australian Tree Fern. in bright indirect light or filtered sun. Other botanical names that refer to this species of wild asparagus include Asparagus brevifolius, Asparagus aetnensis, Asparagus corruda, and Asparagus commutatus. You have to be patient to grow your own asparagus: It takes three years from the sowing of the seed to the harvest of the first stalks. Insufficient light will result in yellow needles that drop. The foxtail fern is the brightest and most structured, but it’s usually grown outdoors. Common Houseplant Pests: Types, Identification, and Getting Rid of Houseplant Bugs, Cat Palm (Cataractarum Palm or Chamaedorea cataractarum): Care and Growing Guide, Stromanthe Triostar Care: How to Grow Stromanthe Plants, Moses In Cradle Care: How to Grow Moses Plant, morning sun with light shade in the afternoon. Botanical name –Asparagus aethiopicus, formerly Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’. Asparagus Asparagus. It can be invasive, so keep an eye on it. The asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) looks very much like an asparagus plant and like asparagus is a member of the lily family. Asparagus Fern. Botanists describe cladodes as flattened leaf-like organs in asparagus that are necessary for photosynthesis. Ground Asparagus Fern - Asparagus aethiopicus. Types of Ferns – Australian Tree Fern. Asparagus ferns roots are a type of bulb called a tuber. Some hybrid asparagus varieties have been bred to provide male only asparagus plants. Despite the common name, it is not a true fern, but is in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) or the lily family (Liliaceae, which includes plants such as amaryllis, daylilies, hosta, and tulips) depending on the classification system used. ‘Apollo’ – This asparagus type performs well in both chilly and warm weather conditions. The mature plants produce pale pink flowers or white flowers during the summer season. After flowering, asparagus ferns produce little green or red berries. It's called a fern, but is actually a member of the lily family. Native to Africa, asparagus fern also goes by these aliases: emerald fern, emerald feather, and lace fern. . The needle leaves grow in tufts or clusters along woody stems. They make great cut material for floral arrangements and also grow well in containers with regular watering on hot days. 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