Varieties
Asparagus Densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ / ‘Myers’ (Foxtail Fern)
Origin
Native to South Africa
General Care
Light
Medium to bright filtered. Avoid direct sun, which scorches leaves.
Temperature
18-24°C. Keep above 13°C.
Humidity
Average.
Water
Weekly. Water moderately (spring-fall) and allow moist potting mix to dry within top 1-2”. Water sparingly (winter) and allow barely moist mix to dry almost fully. Always check moisture level before watering. Aerate mix to improve its condition.
Feeding
Every 2 weeks (spring-fall). Use organic houseplant fertilizer, according to packaging instructions.
Maintenance
Every 1-2 weeks, rotate plant to ensure even growth. Every 1-2 months, give your plant a tepid shower: gently spray leaf tops/undersides to free them of dust, and soak mix to leach accumulated salts. Trim spent stems at their base with sterile shears.
Potting and Repotting
Soil-based potting mix. Every 1 -2 years (spring), move plant into a planter 1-2” larger (diameter and depth); or, repot in the same planter, using new potting mix, after cleaning planter and partially trimming back roots and foliage. Top dress annually, once maximum convenient planter size reached.
Special Points/Common Problems:
- Yellow leaves often suggest inadequate light while brown leaves suggest too much light. Adjust placement of plant or window coverings accordingly.
- May produce white flowers and then, poisonous red berries. Once flowers fade, trim stalks to their base.