When asparagus fern is content in its location, it can produce small flowers and berries. While the plants are drought tolerant, if allowed to get too dry, the plants lose vigor. The asparagus fern thrives in dappled shade, although it can be acclimated to more light. Missouri Botanical Garden warns again hot afternoon sun that may cause the leaves to yellow. Asparagus fern's “leaves” are actually tiny branchlets called cladophylls that are flat and look like leaves. After a light frost, the plants do grow back from the roots. If you have children or pets, this is not a good plant to have around, indoors or out. A good daytime temperature is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit with a cooler temperature around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The two species of asparagus fern you're likely to find at a garden center are foxtail or emerald fern (Asparagus densiflorus also Protasparagus densiflorus), which grows outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, and lace or common asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus also Protasparagus setaceus; formerly Asparagus … The minimum temperature for germination is 10 C. The optimum range for germination is 16 to 30 C. The optimum temperature for germination is 24 C. That should be enough to keep the plant happy and help you propagate your asparagus fern. The asparagus fern plant (Asparagus aethiopicus syn. Fern asparagus are pretty tough plants, but once temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, the plant can suffer burn back of its foliage. Missouri Botanical Garden: Asparagus setaceus. Temperature: This houseplant will grow happily in temperatures of 12-25°C, try to avoid sudden drops in temperature and … Scarify the seeds and soak in water for a day before planting to hasten germination. You can grow fern asparagus as a houseplant in any region. Description Top of page. Choose a spot that maintains an average room temperature. If you have a shady porch outside, or a greenhouse, the indoor plants will likely respond … It is native t… 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. Water: Water regularly during the growing season (from spring to autumn), Keep the soil … Consider investing in a moisture probe or if you’re quite comfortable taking care of plants then just use your fingers and stick … As you may know, the common name of the filler fern we buy at the garden center is sprengeri fern. Keeping an asparagus fern hydrated takes a little effort. This plant thrives on humidity. Insecticidal soap is usually effective. It truly looks remarkable and can brighten your home. The long graceful vines of an asparagus fern are covered in tiny needle-like bright green leaves; an added plus are the small white flowers that eventually turn into red berries. In terms of temperatures, choose a location that offers a moderate temperature and use a humidifier to encourage moist air. Asparagus fern growing outdoors can withstand some very light frost, but freezing temperatures, below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, often kill the plant to the ground. Asparagus is adaptable to temperate regions where low temperature or drought give the crop a rest period. If the plant is exposed to these temperatures for a few days, the plant can die. A fast-growing tropical perennial, asparagus fern is a virtually indestructible houseplant (or garden plant in warm climates). Place the container in filtered sun or bright, indirect sunlight. Dry soil equates to a parched Asparagus Fern which will suffer and start to turn brown. The asparagus fern is ideally suited to life as a houseplant as it enjoys temperatures in the range of 70 ºF, which is typically the temperature that many homes are kept at. Indoors, the key to a robust asparagus fern is to keep the plant bushy and dense so its lace-like foliage forms an attractive mound. Asparagus fern can be propagated from seed and division. The botanical name of the foxtail fern is Asparagus … Common Names: Asparagus, Foxtail Fern, Ming Fern, Plumosa Fern, Lace Fern, Sprengeri Fern, Sprenger Fern, String Smilax, Greenbrier, and Tree Fern. 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. It is best to keep the plant shaded until new growth begins. The asparagus fern isn’t exactly a common houseplant, but with its feathery, light foliage, it's quite attractive and can be successfully grown indoors. Try to maintain a warm temperature (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and not dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. Asparagus fern is an evergreen perennial with upright or long, trailing branches covered with tiny, thin leaves, which give it a bushy, feathery, fluffy appearance. If outdoors, temperatures of 50°F-75°F (c. 10°C-24°C) are good for the day, and 50°F-65°F (c. 10°C-18°C) is suitable for night. Asparagus densiflorus and is generally used for decoration. Mature plants become woody and can develop sharp spines on the branches, so take caution while trimming older specimens, and wear gardening gloves if you plan to prune an older plant. Growing Asparagus Fern: Tips at a Glance. You can bring the container inside when the weather turns cold. It is best to turn the pot by a quarter degree once a week to ensure proper sun disbursement. Stems bear both inconspicuous scale-like leaves and larger, leaf-like phylloclades, with small white or pinkish flowers followed by red berries Learn how to take care of this popular indoor plant. While the asparagus fern can dry out to the point of appearing dead, it likely isn't. The foxtail fern can grow to be as tall as three feet. The fern asparagus' rate of growth depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. A. densiflorus is a spiny perennial plant, persisting and spreading by fleshy rhizomes and roots bearing white tubers 2-3 cm long. In spite of its name, fern asparagus is not actually a fern. Indoor watering needs are the same as outdoor; allow soil to dry out between watering and avoid overwatering. Botanical name –Asparagus aethiopicus, formerly Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’. Try to maintain a warm temperature (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and not dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. During summer, the plant may need weekly feedings; otherwise, feed monthly. It's also popular as an outdoor container plant, where it is often used as a spiller. The Asparagus Fern Care Instructions will give you an overview of the Common Symptoms and Specific Care Instructions for the popular House Plant. Its stems are flattened and feathery-looking, which gives it the common name "fern." The asparagus fern is a great companion for every household, no matter when, how, and where they are growing. Asparagus ferns thrive outdoors in warm, humid climates where temperatures stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In spring, dig up the entire plant and divide it into sections, each with a portion of root and growing shoots. Asparagus Aethiopicus, commonly known as Asparagus Fern, Foxtail Fern, Sprenger’s Asparagus, Emerald Feather, or Asparagus grass, is a perennial herb in the Asparagus genus. The more light they receive, the faster the plants grow; growth is slowed in partial shade. Best Temperature for Growing Asparagus Ferns You can grow asparagus plumosa fern outdoors where average temperature is around 70°F (21°C) The optimal temperature range for asparagus plumosa ferns is 65°F to 70°F (18°C – 21°C). It tolerates a minimum temperature of 50° degrees Fahrenheit (10° C). Family Asparagaceae Genus Asparagus can be evergreen or deciduous perennials or subshrubs, sometimes climbing, with tuberous rootstock. Keep it out of direct, bright sunlight. If indoors, opt for a spot that has an average room temperature. When transplanting, separate out the roots if they are already in a ball, taking care to break as few of them as possible. Foxtail Fern Foxtail Fern Plant Features: An Overview. Asparagus ferns cannot withstand freezing temperatures, so anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit can kill the plant. Temperature Ideal growing conditions are between 10 and 24°C. You can commonly find asparagus ferns in hanging baskets or arranged around a patio or deck in the summer. It actually belongs to the family Liliaceae and is a relative of lilies, including tulips, daylilies, amaryillis, and hostas. The foliage of many asparagus ferns can cause skin irritation. Transplant into a larger pot. Light + temperature. Ming Fern … The addition of peat moss to a good, commercial potting soil will take care of this requirement. More about this easy-going creature, and how to maintain it forever in a 9-inch pot: Not a true fern … Seeds will germinate in 3-4 weeks at room temperature. While this plant can be propagated by planting the seeds found in the berries, the easier and faster way is to dig up and divide the tuberous roots. Place the divided plants into similar-sized pots to retain the tight growth habit. Any hotter than this and the soil may struggle to retain its moisture. The ideal temperature is around 70 F, which can be easily maintained indoors. The minimum temperature for asparagus fern plants is 55°F (13°C). Fertiliser You can grow fern asparagus as a houseplant in any region. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. It may not technically be a fern, but it's sure to add a delicate yet lush jungle vibe to your home. Asparagus ferns do not need large pots, as they are slow indoor spreaders. Moderate Temperature Temperature is another important factor for asparagus fern care. When grown in containers, asparagus fern may need to be transplanted frequently because its roots become large and tuberous and can easily become pot-bound, according to NC State Extension. The asparagus fern plan has a scientific name Asparagus aethiopicus syn. How to Fix. Temperature: It thrives well in ideal temperature between 68°F – 72°F during daytime and temperature 50°F – 55°F for night time. Given adequate growing conditions, the plants grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, bearing slender, feathery foliage and 1/4-inch fragrant, white flowers in summer with red, pea-sized berries later in the season. Interestingly, the plant's leaves are just tiny, dry scales. However, asparagus fern … Asparagus fern has a lot of good qualities, but it comes with some important cautions. It was named for the German botanist, Carl Ludwig Sprenger (1846-1917). Replant the pieces into individual pots or their own garden locations. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home. Also, you may already know this plant is on the poisonous plant list. Asparagus ferns don't mind being slightly pot-bound and can go up to two years before repotting. Indoors, the plant still needs warm temperatures, but not too warm. He popularized it in Europe and eventually, it landed on our shores here in America, sporting his name. Asparagus ferns can grow in places with moist or dry air, but they do best in a place with moist air. They thrive in daytime temperatures of 70°-75° with it 10° cooler at night. It is generally tolerant of less-than-ideal soil conditions. For the most successful repotting, divide the plant into big clumps, and be sure to take multiple underground roots when dividing. wide with cascading trailers 2ft-4ft.in length. The mature stems become woody eventually and develop sharp spines. Average room temperatures are ideal for growing asparagus ferns. Medium to bright indirect light. Our desert garden has a subtropical ambience thanks to the ornate asparagus fern. Like growing ferns indoors, protect asparagus ferns from temperature extremes, direct sunlight, and … By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Grow and Care for String of Dolphins, How to Grow Majestic Staghorn Fern Plants Indoors. The lowest temperature a foxtail fern can tolerate is 50 degrees. Any below-freezing temps will probably kill it. Plants can be separated into smaller pieces or the tubers will regenerate plants. If the berries come in contact with the skin, they may cause a rash at the point of contact. (They are always changing names). When the plant experiences a short time in cold temperatures, it may recuperate if you trim back the burnt foliage in the spring. In the proper location, asparagus ferns grow over 2-3ft. Sun—or some shade—and regular water keeps it happy in its pot. It's a climbing vine growing from 10 to 20 feet. This plant needs daytime temperatures around 50 to 75ºF (around 10ºC-24ºC). Temperature and Humidity for Asparagus Fern Care Grow asparagus ferns in average room temperatures between 65°F and 70°F (18°C – 21°C). Pets & Children Toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation if repeatedly exposed. In all other zones, it can be planted as an annual or kept indoors as a houseplant. Stems up to 2 m long are glabrous, green to brown, much-branched and ‘leafy’ but the clusters of flattened ‘leaves’ are in fact cladophylls about 2 cm long, 2-3 m wide. When it comes to temperature, asparagus ferns aren’t fussy: Keep the plant in a fairly humid environment, but average indoor temperatures will do. In warmer regions, the fern can be easily adapted to outdoor culture, where it sometimes grows like a creeper and can even become invasive. 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