Will foxtail ferns freeze?

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Foxtail ferns are evergreen perennials that grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Covering the plant will help prevent a freeze from killing it, but it will still likely suffer damage. Fortunately, the foxtail will recover by the summer as long as the roots did not freeze.



Similarly one may ask, how cold hardy are foxtail ferns?

Foxtail fern can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Where not hardy, foxtail fern may be grown as a houseplant in front of a bright, sunny windowsill with temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F.

Additionally, do foxtail ferns come back every year? Uses for Foxtail Fern Plants Bottlebrush-like plumes of foxtail fern plants are versatile; useful in the perennial border alongside other flowering plants, in outdoor containers and as houseplants for winter months. In colder zones, grow the plant as an annual or in a container to bring inside for the winter.

Besides, how do you winterize a foxtail fern?

Potted Ferns

  1. Bring your foxtail fern indoors for the winter if you live in Sunset's Climate Zone 15 or a lower zone.
  2. Give the fern adequate light by placing it in front of a sunny window.
  3. Cut off dead, damaged or wilted foliage.
  4. Stop fertilizing the foxtail fern during the winter.

Can a fern survive a freeze?

A brief freeze damages exposed fronds, while prolonged cold damages roots. You won't be able to save every frozen fern, but if the roots survive, the fern has a chance. Ferns grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 12 depending on the species and cultivar.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How big do foxtail ferns get?

The the foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus var. meyeri), a type of asparagus fern, rather than a true fern, reaches approximately 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Are foxtail ferns poisonous to dogs?

Foxtail fern is not only toxic if ingested. The plant itself can cause skin irritation, especially if the animal repeatedly rubs against it. Irritation usually subsides after several minutes, but the plant should be kept out of reach of pets.

How much sun can a foxtail fern take?

The foxtail fern takes full sun to partial shade, but grows more densely in full sun. This plant likes well-draining, amended soil for optimum growth. The foxtail fern has an extensive root system with large tubers that can store water and food during periods of drought.

Can you cut back foxtail ferns?

You can leave foxtail ferns untrimmed without compromising the plants' health, but an annual trim helps to keep this perennial looking its best. Trim any brown, faded or dried-up stalks anytime during the growing season. Use a pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut each stalk 2 inches from the base.

Can you grow foxtail fern from cuttings?


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.

Do deer eat foxtail ferns?

Foxtail Fern - Deer resistant, a mounding evergreen perennial with bright green whorls of needle-like leaves.

Are ferns poisonous to cats?

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis) are an enduring houseplant favorite, but their shaggy fronds may tempt cats and dogs to chew. The foliage is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so brighten up your guest room or bathroom with these lush plants.

What Ferns take full sun?

Thelypteris kunthii

What does a foxtail plant look like?

You can identify a foxtail by its characteristic spiny shape. Foxtails get their name because, well, they look like the tail of a fox, with layers of upward-facing spines protruding from the center. Foxtails and grass seed awns are designed to do one thing: burrow.

Do ferns multiply?


Ferns can multiply naturally via two mechanisms, vegetative and sexual. Vegetative reproduction occurs by producing new plantlets along underground runners, or rhizomes. Sexual reproduction occurs via the production of spores, which lead to the production tiny plants that make both eggs and sperm.

Is foxtail fern perennial?

Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers') has a huge personality. It's absolutely wonderful as a houseplant, planted in a container as a patio plant in cold winter zones, or as evergreen perennial planted in the ground in warm winter zones. This plant has a ton of distinctive features.

What temperature can ferns withstand?

Ferns are just as susceptible to heat as they are to cold. Most ferns grow best in high humidity and temperatures within the range of 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to 50 degrees overnight.

How do you repot foxtail ferns?

How to Transplant Foxtail Fern
  1. Transplant foxtail fern when the weather begins to cool down in autumn.
  2. Create a shallow trench around the plant with the tip of a shovel, using the outermost drip line as an approximate guide.
  3. Insert the shovel deeply into the soil at any spot in the trench, and rock the shovel back and forth to loosen the roots.

How do you germinate foxtail fern seeds?

Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart in a tray filled with moistened sterile potting soil, such as an mixture of 1 part peat to 1 part perlite. Place the tray in a warm spot out of direct sun. Keep the soil moist by irrigating regularly. In three to four weeks the seeds will germinate.

What is a foxtail plant?


A foxtail is a spikelet or cluster of a grass, that serves to disperse its seeds as a unit. Thus, the foxtail is a type of diaspore or plant dispersal unit. Some grasses that produce a foxtail are themselves called "foxtail", also "spear grass".

Why do foxtail palms turn brown?

Unfortunately, like many other palms, foxtail palm is a heavy feeder and often suffers from a range of nutritional deficiencies. A minor deficiency in iron, magnesium, potassium or manganese can result in brown leaf tips.

Can 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.