Are there different types of asparagus ferns?

Native to Africa, asparagus fern also goes by these aliases: emerald fern, emerald feather, and lace fern. The most common variety is Asparagus sprengeri. Other varieties of asparagus ferns include ming fern and the more-groomed foxtail fern or Plumosa fern, an aggressive climber.

Beside this, how do you take care of asparagus ferns?

How to Care for an Asparagus Fern

Place potted ferns so they receive bright but indirect sunlight, either indoors or outdoors.
Water potted plants when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry.
Mulch around around outdoor ferns with a 2-inch layer of bark or wood chip mulch.

Similarly, does asparagus fern like full sun? Asparagus ferns tolerate full sun, although their leaves tend to yellow. They perform better with morning sun and afternoon shade, or even light shade. The plants are very tolerant of high temperatures, though, and grow vigorously in the heat of the summer, when many other plants wilt.

Correspondingly, is asparagus fern annual or perennial?

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. The plants can have small flowers or berries.

Is asparagus fern the same as asparagus?

Asparagus ferns are closely related to edible asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). While asparagus ferns don't produce anything we can harvest and eat, they are versatile, reliable, easy to grow and useful in a variety of gardening situations. The most commonly grown asparagus fern is Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Why can't you eat asparagus the first year?

Don't harvest any asparagus spears during the first two years that plants are in the permanent bed. They need to put all their energy into establishing deep roots.

How big does an asparagus fern get?

In the proper location, asparagus ferns grow over 2-3ft. wide with cascading trailers 2ft-4ft.in length. 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.

Why is my asparagus fern dying?

If the plant appears to be turning brown and droopy, it likely needs more water. While the asparagus fern can dry out to the point of appearing dead, it likely isn't. Warmer, humid air and daily misting will help revive it. Outdoors, keep asparagus fern well watered to prevent the soil from completely drying out.

How often do you water asparagus ferns?

Once the seedlings grow into a plant you will need to continue watering the plant regularly. Asparagus ferns can survive during periods of drought, but you should continue to water it every time the soil is dry. During the winter, you should water the plant less. You can water the plant once a week during the winter.

Can you eat asparagus after it ferns?

Can you eat immature asparagus ferns? I think once they start to open they are very tough. eat it before it goes to fern, until mid july, then let it all go to fern until fall. Don't cut it down until the frosts or until it starts to yellow.

Why does asparagus fern turn yellow?

The most common reason asparagus fern leaves turn yellow is too much light. The plant needs filtered or indirect light and does well in part shade. If planted in full sun, the hot, direct light turns the leaves yellow. Too little light will have a similar effect.

Is asparagus a fungus?

Asparagus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Asparagoideae. It comprises up to 300 species.

Asparagus (genus)

Asparagus
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae

Will asparagus fern root in water?

Propagation from cuttings is a relatively simple process for plants that have the capability to grow roots from stems, leaves or buds. However, asparagus fern develops from tuberous roots that grow just below the surface of the soil, so cuttings taken from the plant will not root.

Will asparagus fern survive winter?

Asparagus fern growing outdoors can withstand some light frost, but freezing temperatures, below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, often kill the plant to the ground. After a light frost, the plants do grow back from the roots.

Do asparagus ferns come back every year?

Cold Tolerance

Asparagus fern loves hot weather, and can live outside year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. It can tolerate light frosts, but temperatures below 24 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the plant.

Do asparagus ferns like to be misted?

Keep the plant well watered in all situations and repot every few years. Care of asparagus ferns indoors involves misting the arching stems to provide humidity to the plant. A spiky, shade loving plant does well at the center of the pot, surrounded by the cascading branches of the asparagus fern.

Is asparagus fern poisonous to humans?

Asparagus ferns are toxic to humans as well as dogs. When handling the plant and working in the garden near the plant, wear gloves to protect your hands and arms from the poisonous sap.

What is the difference between foxtail fern and asparagus fern?

The term "asparagus fern" is commonly used for both types, and "foxtail fern" is mostly used for the Meyeri with the compacted tails. The Sprengeri is classified as a weed in Hawaii, Florida, New Zealand, and Australia. It takes about four or five root diggings to rid an area of it.

How do you take care of asparagus in the winter?

Leave asparagus stems on plants as long as they remain green—well into autumn. When stalks turn brown and brittle cut them off at ground level and top dress the bed with compost or manure. (Place cut stalks and ferns in the trash—not in the compost pile; asparagus-beetle eggs can overwinter in cut stalks.)

How do asparagus ferns reproduce?

The berries of the asparagus fern each contain one to three seeds that you can use to propagate the plant. To encourage germination, nick the seeds with a knife or rub them with sandpaper -- this process is known as scarifying a seed. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours after scarifying them.

What are the red berries on asparagus fern?

The red berries on Asparagus sprengeri contain ripe black seeds. Mature asparagus ferns flower during the summer. Pea-size green berries follow the flowers. Sometimes these berries remain on the plant for many months, turning red indoors during the winter when they can be harvested for planting.

How do you trim asparagus ferns?

How to Trim an Asparagus Fern

Cut individual stems back to the soil with pruning shears if the foliage turns brown or yellow.
Pinch back the tips of individual stems to encourage a denser growth of foliage.
Cut all of the older stems back to the base of the plant in the spring to make way for new spring growth.
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