Asparagus Fern

Asparagus retrofractus     Origin: South Africa

Don’t be fooled, the Asparagus Fern is actually not a fern at all—it’s a shrub-like evergreen perennial native to arid regions of South Africa. We love its feathery, fern-like foliage, with stems that form an interesting zig zag branching pattern. Prune it regularly if you prefer its full, bushy appearance.

Common Issues

Leaf drop: This is most often a result of stress caused by inconsistent watering or sudden increase or decrease in light levels.
Yellow leaves: This is most often caused by overwatering, but could also be due to a lack of nitrogen.

Light: This plant loves bright light and will produce thin, floppy stems in lower light scenarios. That being said, try to avoid long periods of direct sunlight as its thin foliage can burn. A southern or western exposure in the home is best.

Water: Asparagus prefers to dry slightly between waterings, and can be classified as drought tolerant, but will shed leaves if allowed to dry too much or too often. These plants have succulent tubers in the root system that can help during drought, but will always prefer evenly moist soil. Constantly wet soil should be avoided as it can lead to bacterial or fungal growth.

Humidity: These plants are pretty tolerant of lower humidity levels, but their fine foliage is quick to dry out and will drop if subjected to too much stress.

Growth: This plant easily grows over 6 feet tall in the wild, but will typically maintain a mounding habit of 3-4 feet tall and wide in the home. The Asparagus produces its fine foliage along thin, fibrous, barbed stems originating from the base of the plant.

Soil: Your average potting soil is a good choice for these plants and no special amendments are necessary. While their growth is sporadic throughout the year, a slow release fertilizer can be applied anytime.

Temperature: These plants can handle temperature extremes better than most, but try to keep your Asparagus between 50-85°F for optimal growth.

Repotting: These plants often respond well to being rootbound, so repot only every few years. The roots should be disturbed when planting into a larger pot, and you can be fairly aggressive in this case—breaking up the roots will stop them from growing in circles and restricting the rootball.

Extra TLC: Be careful when handling these plants, the barbs can leave a mark!