13 Asparagus Fern Types and Care Guide (With Pictures)
You’ve probably heard of asparagus ferns if you’re a plant lover. The plants are popular among gardeners due to their attractive feathery, fern-like leaves and clumping habit. Each type of Asparagus fern offers unique features, including different foliage shapes and growth habits.
This article will explore 13 types of asparagus ferns, their characteristics, and how to care for them. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this guide will help you add asparagus ferns to your collection.
Types of Asparagus Ferns for Growing Indoors
Here are the various Asparagus fern varieties;
1. Asparagus Asparagoides
Asparagus asparagoides, or bridal creeper, is a perennial vine native to eastern and southern parts of Africa. It is a popular garden plant worldwide due to its beautiful foliage, easy care, and tolerance to different conditions.
The plant has glossy green, lance-shaped leaves that grow up to 2 inches long and alternate on the stem. Its woody stems can reach up to 10 feet long, and its tiny white flowers bloom in clusters during the spring. The plant also produces red berries, which are toxic to human and animal consumption.
We recommended planting asparagus asparagoides in a contained area, like a pot or a raised bed, because it grows quickly and can become invasive. It can withstand heat and dryness but not cold temperatures and favours well-drained soil and full sun over partial shade.
2. Asparagus Compact Sprenger Fern
The Asparagus Compact Sprenger Fern is a popular houseplant and garden plant with delicate, fern-like foliage. It is a popular indoor and outdoor plant with tender, fern-like foliage. The plant can reach a height of two to three feet.
The Compact Sprenger Fern is not a fern but a plant in the lily family. The delicate, bright-green leaves are coated in tiny, needle-like leaflets that adorn the arching stems. The plant blooms in the summer with small white flowers and crimson berries that should be kept out of reach since they are poisonous. It needs frequent, moderate watering and enjoys bright, indirect sunlight.
Propagation methods include seeds and divisions. In colder areas, it can be cultivated indoors in addition to being hardy in USDA zones 7 through 11. The versatile Asparagus Compact Sprenger Fern has several uses. It looks good in hanging baskets since it trails over the sides. It also performs admirably in gardens as a groundcover or accent plant.
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3. Asparagus Densiflorus Nana
Asparagus Densiflorus’ Nana’, also called asparagus fern, is a lovely decorative plant in the Asparagaceae family. This South African native plant is a popular choice for indoor gardening and may give a splash of green to any indoor environment.
As direct sunlight might kill the plant, providing asparagus fern with bright but indirect light is crucial for it to thrive. The plant must also be kept in a warm location with a minimum temperature of 13°C free from drafts and radiators.
Since this plant prefers humidity, consider putting your asparagus fern in a well-lit bathroom to give it the best possible climate. Alternatively, you can also grow it in a terrarium, where it can flourish in a regulated environment.
4. Asparagus Densiflorus ‘Meyeri’
Beautiful perennial plant Asparagus Densiflorus’ Meyeri’, sometimes referred to as asparagus foxtail fern or Plume Asparagus, is a native to South Africa. Its tiny, needle-like cladodes, which make up its delicate, fern-like leaves, give it a distinctive and beautiful appearance.
The plant can reach a height and width of 3 feet and blooms in the spring with tiny white flowers. Due to its adaptability to diverse environments and low maintenance requirements, it is a popular choice for indoor and outdoor landscaping. Plume asparagus is ideal for container gardening and can be used as a garden’s groundcover, border plant, or showpiece plant.
Plume asparagus must be planted in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Water the plant frequently, especially in the summer, to keep the soil from drying out completely. Fertilize the plant every few weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy growth.
Trim it in the spring to encourage new growth and give it the desired shape. If you reside in a colder region, ensure the plant is protected from frost.
5. Asparagus plumosus
The beautiful plumosa fern is indigenous to the subtropical and tropical rainforests of southeast Africa. Asparagus plumosus are famous for their lacy, delicate fronds, which have made them a well-liked option for cut flower arrangements. They are low-maintenance indoor plants that are excellent for amateur gardeners.
Plumosa ferns are in the top 5 air purifier plants. That means A. Plumosus is an excellent option for improving indoor air quality since it can eliminate dangerous chemicals like benzene from the interior environment. They also offer significant aesthetic appeal.
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6. Asparagus Retrofractus
Asparagus Retrofractus is a fascinating shrub belonging to the Asparagus genus and is native to the western regions of South Africa. Any outdoor or indoor area will benefit from having this unusual plant. Its light-grey, zigzag stems, which are lengthy and capable of scrambling up walls to reach the top, are a fantastic sight.
The tall, thick, and silvery base of Asparagus Retrofractus stems further emphasizes its unusual appearance. The shrub, which can grow to a height of 3 meters, is a perfect choice for people who want to boost the height of their garden or indoor space.
Due to its ease of cultivation, Asparagus Retrofractus is ideal for individuals with little gardening expertise. With the proper upkeep and care, this shrub can flourish for many years and offer a lovely sight. With good care and maintenance, this shrub can thrive for many years, providing a beautiful sight to your space.
7. Asparagus Scandens
Asparagus Scandens, also known as climbing asparagus fern or Krulkransie, is a stunning plant native to South Africa. It has slender and climbing stems covered in small, needle-like leaflets that are soft and bright green.
During summer, it blooms tiny, white flowers followed by red berries that are toxic to humans and animals. Keep them out of reach.
Asparagus Scandens is relatively easy to care for and can be grown indoors in colder climates. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight and regular watering. Asparagus Scandens can be propagated by seed or division and is hardy in USDA zones 9–11.
The Lilly can be grown in various ways, including in a hanging basket, as a groundcover, or as a specimen plant in a garden. To keep it healthy, fertilize it every two weeks. Mist it regularly to increase humidity, prune it back in the spring, and report it every 2–3 years.
8. Asparagus Setaceus
The perennial plant Asparagus setaceus, commonly known as Lace Fern, is native to South Africa. It is frequently planted as an ornamental plant because of its delicate, fern-like foliage. Sharp spines cover its wiry stems, and the plant can grow up to 6 feet tall.
The plant produces white flowers in spring, followed by small, black berries. It is a resilient plant that grows well in various environments, preferring well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. It requires minimal maintenance, including weekly fertilizer during the growing season and routine watering during hot weather.
It is best to prune back Asparagus setaceus in the spring to promote new growth. Remember to plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Also, protect it from frost. With proper care, Asparagus setaceus will thrive for many years.
Types of Asparagus Ferns Suitable for Outdoors
We also sampled some Asparagus varieties for your outdoor environment.
9. Asparagus acutifolius
Asparagus acutifolius is a perennial plant found in the Mediterranean region. It is also known as wild Asparagus or Mediterranean Asparagus. The plant can grow up to 2 meters tall and has a long, crawling rhizome that produces many stems with spines and small leaves. It produces small, white flowers in the spring, followed by black berries.
Although it can survive in various environments, the plant prefers full sun to moderate shade and well-drained soil. It is a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for plant, but it needs watering frequently, especially in hot weather. Prune Asparagus acutifolius in the spring to encourage new growth and fertilize it every few weeks during the growing season.
Asparagus acutifolius works well as a ground cover, border plant, hedge, or floral accent. Although its young shoots can be consumed, they are not as soft as farmed Asparagus.
Plant Asparagus acutifolius in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water the plant frequently when the top two inches of the soil are dry. Fertilize it every few weeks during the growing season, and prune back the plant in the spring.
10. Asparagus Cochinchinensis
Chinese Asparagus, or Asparagus cochinchinensis, is a plant native to eastern Asia and belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is a climbing plant that can grow up to 2 meters tall. It has slender stems and needle-like leaves.
The plant produces small white flowers in spring, followed by small black berries. Its roots and rhizomes are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for their multiple health benefits. Asparagus cochinchinensis treats various ailments, such as constipation, cough, fever, headache, inflammation, kidney stones, nausea, sore throat, and vomiting.
The plant’s roots and rhizomes can be boiled or ground into a powder and taken orally or applied topically. It is often combined with other herbs in traditional Chinese medicine formulas.
While using Asparagus cochinchinensis roots and rhizomes in moderation is generally safe, it is still essential to consult your doctor before taking it. Especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have underlying health conditions.
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11. Asparagus Falcatus
Asparagus falcatus belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It also grows to 7 meters tall. The plant is also known as sickle thorn, or large forest asparagus, because of its thorny stems and climbing nature. It is native to South Africa and Mozambique and produces white flowers in spring.
Sicklethorn is easy to care for. Water it regularly, especially during hot weather, and fertilize the plant every few weeks during the growing season. Pruning back in the spring can also encourage new growth.
Asparagus falcatus thrives in well-drained soil with full sun and partial shade. The plant is versatile and can be used as a groundcover, border, or hedge plant.
While the young shoots can be eaten, they are not as tender as cultivated Asparagus. If grown in colder climates, Asparagus falcatus should be protected from frost. With regular repotting, this hardy plant can thrive indoors indefinitely.
12. Asparagus aethiopicus
The perennial plant Asparagus aethiopicus, sometimes called Sprenger’s Asparagus or the African asparagus fern, is indigenous to South Africa. It can grow to three feet tall and has a long, trailing habit. The stems are covered in clusters of tiny, needle-like leaves. The foliage has an airy, fluffy appearance.
The plant produces tiny white blooms in the spring, and in the summer, it bears red berries. Because it requires little maintenance and can withstand various situations, Asparagus aethiopicus is a good houseplant. It can tolerate some shade but prefers direct, intense sunlight. The plant can withstand droughts and doesn’t need to be watered frequently.
It is also resistant to diseases and pests. Asparagus aethiopicus is a fantastic choice for window sills or hanging baskets and may be grown indoors and outdoors. Because it requires less upkeep and little area, it is also appropriate for offices and other indoor locations.
13. Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’
Asparagus densiflorus’ Sprengeri’ is a beautiful and unique plant often called asparagus emerald fern or plume asparagus. The foxtail fern is a variable plant with long and slender stems that can reach up to 2 feet long.
It is a perennial evergreen plant closely related to the vegetable asparagus. The stems are covered with small, needle-like leaves that give the plant a soft and feathery appearance.
Asparagus densiflorus’ Sprengeri’ prefers bright, indirect light and moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate some dryness but should not be allowed to dry out completely.
The foxtail fern also likes high humidity, so mist the leaves regularly or place it on a pebble tray to increase the moisture. With proper care, your asparagus fern will thrive indefinitely, adding a touch of greenery and elegance to your home.
How to Care for Asparagus Ferns
Watering
Water the plant frequently, but watch out for overwatering. Its thick, tuberous roots store water, and wet soil can lead to root rot. Due to its foliage’s high rate of water transpiration, asparagus fern requires a lot of water. The leaves have a feathery texture, resulting in a much higher surface area for transpiration. In the winter, watering should be reduced. Although they don’t go dormant, plants need less water as their growth slows.
Light
Asparagus ferns flourish in ample, indirect light. While they can handle a moderate amount of direct sunlight during certain parts of the day, prolonged exposure to strong rays can damage their fragile leaves. Give them filtered or dappled light, like under a tree or near a translucent curtain. The ferns can also thrive under artificial illumination, such as fluorescent or LED lamps. 12 to 14 hours of light daily will sustain their healthy and lush appearance.
Temperature
The plants prefer temperatures between 18°C and 21°C during the day and 10°C and 13°C at night. They can handle short periods of temperatures as low as 4°C, but exposing them to frost or freezing conditions can harm them. Asparagus ferns do not thrive above 24°C because they may wilt or scorch in direct sunlight or dry air. Grow them in a calm and shaded area to prevent damage to their foliage.
Humidity
Asparagus ferns thrive in tropical and subtropical regions with 60% or higher humidity levels. The plants may develop brown tips, dry fronds, or leaf drops if the humidity is too low. Measure the humidity level using a hygrometer and make adjustments accordingly. To increase the moisture, regularly mist the plants, use a humidifier, or place them on a tray of pebbles and water. Grouping them with other plants also helps to maintain humidity levels.
Fertilizing
Fertilize them regularly, particularly in the spring and summer when they are actively growing. Use a 5–10–10 fertilizer or a formula made specifically for houseplants. During the fall and winter, reduce the amount of fertilizer or stop it entirely. Excessive fertilizer can lead to salt buildup, causing damage to the plant’s roots and leaves. If you observe brown tips or edges on the foliage, flush the soil with water to leach out the excess salts or repot the plant with fresh soil.
Pruning
The best time to prune asparagus ferns is in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Use sharp and clean pruning shears to cut back the stems by one-third to one-half of their length. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems at the base. Dispose of the pruned branches and berries in a sealed bag or compost bin. After pruning, water and fertilize your asparagus ferns to encourage new growth and prevent stress.
Repotting
Do this every year or two, depending on the growth rate. The supplies needed include a larger pot, fresh soil, and scissors. First, remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the roots. Inspect the roots for damage and trim off dead parts. Place the plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh soil. Firmly press down the soil and water thoroughly.
Pest control
These lillies can be susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Therefore, remove any pests you see with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or use a fungicide if your Asparagus develops a disease.
Conclusion
There are many asparagus fern types, each with specific care requirements. Asparagus densiflorus’ Meyeri’ and Asparagus setaceus have delicate, fern-like foliage and should be kept out of direct sunlight. Asparagus plumosus has feathery foliage and should be kept out of direct sunlight. Asparagus scandens have climbing stems and need sturdy support.
Asparagus ferns are beautiful, low-maintenance plants that can thrive indoors and outdoors correctly. Provide them with the right amount of light, water, and good soil conditions, and they will reward you with their lush green foliage.