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These easy care plants with their cascading stems are really a member of the lily family. The name, asparagus fern, comes from the fact that the new growth resembles tiny asparagus spears. A-sprengeri, the most popular variety of asparagus ferns, can be used as a table
plant or a hanging plant. It has long vines covered in tiny needle like bright
green leaves; an added plus is the small white flowers that will turn into red berries. Be careful, because hidden amongst
the lush foliage are little sharp thorns. In the right location, these plants can grow over 2-3ft. wide with trailers 1-2ft.
long.
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CARE OF ASPARAGUS FERNS
Light: Asparagus ferns do best in bright light. The plants grow slower as light levels decrease.
Water: Drench an asparagus fern well and then allow it to dry out before
watering it
again. If in doubt, allow the plant to turn pale green before watering it.
Temperature:
Basic household temperatures are fine.
Fertilizer: The brighter the light
the faster this plant grows. The faster it grows the more fertilizer it needs. In bright light feed your asparagus fern monthly
with a water-soluble plant food at ½ strength. In lower light situations, reduce using fertilizer to every other month.
Propagate: Once the root ball of an asparagus ferns starts to bulge out of
the pot you have two choices; move it to a larger pot or start another plant. It’s quite simple to start a new plant;
just take a sharp knife and cut the woody root ball in half; replant the two parts in the same size pots as the original fern
had been in.
Pests: There are not many pests that attack asparagus ferns,
mealy bugs, on rare occasions, being the only exception. Spraying with the green solution usually works well; just be sure to reach all areas of the plant.
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ASPARAGUS FERN FAQ’S
1. My asparagus fern has white flowers and red berries. Should I cut them off?
Congratulations, berries
& flowers develop when an asparagus fern is getting all that it needs. They won’t hurt the plant, but may slow down
the development of new green growth.
2. When I returned from vacation, some of
the vines on my asparagus fern had turned hard and straw-like.
Your asparagus fern probably dried out a little
too much. Cut off the dead vines and drench the plant well.
3. I have my asparagus
plant in my bedroom across from a north- facing window. It hasn’t died, but it hasn’t gotten any new growth.
Your plant isn’t getting enough light. Try moving it to a brighter spot in your home.
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