How to Care for Asparagus Fern - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Asparagus Fern, also known as Asparagus setaceus, Lace Fern or Plumose Fern, is a beautiful and easy-to-grow houseplant. It has delicate, lacy foliage similar to fern fronds but with tiny thorns on the stems. First described in 1767, it became a popular ornamental houseplant thanks to the Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician: Carl Ludwig Sprenger.

As we all know, Asparagus is a delicious perennial vegetable that we eat in spring. While Asparagus houseplants don't produce anything we can harvest and eat, they are versatile, reliable, easy to grow and useful in a variety of situations. They originally come from southern Africa, and thus, it's used to tough conditions, so it has developed thick roots that store both food and water to help them survive.

Most Asparagus foliage has a velvet touch that makes them really soft. We love to take care of them just to be able to touch their soft foliage for hours! Although Asparagus looks similar to a fern, it is actually not a fern. Asparagus plants also flower and may produce seeds, something ferns never do. They also thrive in more difficult growing conditions than the shade- and moisture-loving true ferns.

Asparagus Fern Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Provide bright indirect light. You can put it near a window that faces either east or west, or if there isn't enough natural light, consider using artificial lights.
2. Be careful not to overwater. Wait until half of the topsoil or the entire soil has dried before watering it again. Overwatering can lead to root rot and other problems.
3. Always check soil before watering it again. You can easily do this by sticking your finger into the soil or using a water meter to see if it's dry enough.
4. Make sure your Asparagus Fern has good drainage. They don't like to be in standing water, so use a soil that drains well and ensure that the container has enough drainage holes.
5. Keep humidity levels moderate. Asparagus prefers average humidity levels of around 50%. You can increase humidity by placing a water tray near the plant or using a humidifier.
6. Fertilise during growing season. Asparagus needs nutrients to grow healthy and beautiful. Over time, the nutrients in its pot will run out, so you'll need to add some more.
7. It needs repotting every 2-3 years. As your Asparagus Fern grows, it may eventually outgrow its container. Plan to repot the plant every couple of years or when you notice the roots becoming pot-bound.
8. Make sure to give your asparagus plant a little trim now and then. Gently trimming the top of your Asparagus Fern promotes a fuller, bushier appearance and keeps it from growing too tall and slender.
9. If your Asparagus Fern turning yellow, it could be a friendly reminder to give it a little extra love or adjust its environment for happier growth.
10. Monitor your plant regularly. Asparagus is susceptible to pests like spider mites and mealybugs. If you notice any signs of these annoying visitors, make sure to act quickly to stop them from spreading.

Asparagus Care

Asparagus Fern light requirements

Asparagus Ferns prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sunlight in the morning or late afternoon. However, they should be protected from hot, intense sunlight as it can scorch their delicate leaves. They are often found growing under the shade of big trees in their natural habitat and are adapted well to medium shade.

Expert tip! As your Asparagus Ferns love high humidity and don't need a lot of light, your cute green friend will be a perfect match for your bathroom!

While it tolerates medium-shade well, it's important not to put your Asparagus plant in a too dark spot. When it doesn't get enough light, it can grow skinny and weak, with spindly stems and stunted growth. Its leaves may also turn yellow or have brown spots.

Watering

Asparagus Ferns are easygoing with water and prefer their soil a little moist. Just let the soil dry out a little bit before giving them water again. To see if the soil is dry, poke your finger into it - if it feels dry, go ahead and water. If it's still damp, hold off for a bit and check again later. Usually, watering once a week or every two weeks is enough.

Expert tip! Asparagus will forgive you if you forget to water it a little. They have thick, tuberous roots that can store water, allowing them to go without water for several weeks.

Reduce watering in autumn, and water more sparingly in winter. Remember, each season brings unique needs for your houseplants, so it's important to adjust accordingly. Learn more on how to water your houseplants properly to keep them thriving all year round.

Nutrition

Your Asparagus Fern needs some extra food to grow healthy and beautifyl. Use PLNTS Nutrition liquid houseplant food every 4-6 weeks from spring to fall. Cut back fertilisation during winter months as it will go into hibernation then.

Temperature & humidity

Keep the temperature around 15-25°C and the humidity around 40-60%, and your Asparagus will be one happy plant. Creating a humid environment by grouping plants together or misting regularly is a good idea for your Asparagus to grow. If you have too dry air, consider raising humidity around houseplants.

During the winter, you can give your plant some extra love by finding a slightly cooler spot, around 13-15°C. This will help it rest and get ready for spring growth. Just keep it away from drafty windows or air vents, which can cause temperature fluctuations that are bad for the plant.

Soil & repotting

Your Asparagus plant will need repotting every 2-3 years because it grows pretty quickly. When it's time to move to a new pot, pick one just a little bit bigger than its old home. Asparagus Ferns like to be a little rootbound in their pots.

Good to know! Sometimes, Asparagus plants will give you a hint when it's time to repot them. If their thick roots outgrow the current pot, they can either break the pot or gently lift the plant out of it.

To give your plant the best home possible, use potting soil for indoor foliage plants. We recommend using organic PLNTS organic potting soil. This soil is well-draining and packed with nutrients, which your Asparagus will love.

Asparagus Fern Propagation

If you're lucky, your indoor Asparagus houseplant might produce berries. If it does, you can grow new plants by harvesting the seeds and planting them. However, Asparagus plants grown indoors may not always have berries, as the conditions may not be ideal for fruiting.

Don’t worry! There is another way to propagate your Asparagus. Just follow these easy steps:

1. First, gently take the plant out of its pot and carefully loosen the soil around the roots. Then, using your finger, tenderly separate the roots and look for a cluster with a few leaves attached.
2. Using your clean and sharp cutting shears, cut the roots connecting the leafy section to the mother plants.
3. Place your new plant in a fresh pot of soil and give her a good splash of water.

With these easy steps, you can grow new Asparagus Ferns. Be patient, as it might take some time for the new plants to grow. But it's worth the wait!

Most common pests on Asparagus

The most common pests that can affect your Asparagus are spider mites. To prevent these pests, it's essential to inspect your plant regularly. You can even use a magnifying glass to check because these annoying bugs are too small and can be challenging to spot with the naked eye. Moreover, you can find evidence that your plant is suffering from spider mites! Are the symptoms of your plant more visible in the looks of your plant, like yellow or brown leaves? Do you spot little webs on your plant? If you answer yes, you don’t need to search for more: it is undoubtedly a spider mite you are dealing with.

Check our PLNTSdoctor page to recognise and eliminate your plant pests! If you are interested in biological pest control, you can take a look at our blog: Which natural and biological pest control against which pest?

Are Asparagus poisonous for your pets or children?

Unfortunately, Asparagus are mildly toxic, and you should prevent your pets or children from eating them. Sometimes, your 4 legged friends are attracted to the berries or foliage, so you should prevent them from having any access to your green cutie.

Buy Asparagus Fern online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com, we have two amazing options for you. You can witness the complete growth process of your beautiful Asparagus Fern, right from the seed to a fully grown plant. Isn’t it super exciting to see that?! If you have an interest in this process, you can start with our Asparagus Fern Seed or our Asparagus Fern Seed Kit.

Otherwise, if you are impatient and want to see your green cutie grow fast from a BabyPLNTS, you can buy our BabyPLNTS Asparagus. Here at PLNTS.com, we got you covered for your plant dreams!