All foxtail ferns are asparagus ferns, but not all asparagus ferns are foxtail ferns based on the species classification. Grows in clusters of plumes, like fluffy pine needles. Reaches 3 feet tall and wide, and sprouts delicate white flowers that become red berries in the fall.
What is another name for asparagus fern?
Asparagus setaceus, commonly known as common asparagus fern, asparagus grass, lace fern, climbing asparagus, or ferny asparagus, is a climbing plant in the genus Asparagus. Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one. Protasparagus plumosus (Baker) Oberm.
Is asparagus fern and asparagus the same?
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.
What does foxtail fern look like?
Foxtail asparagus ferns have an unusual, symmetrical look. These fern-like plants have arching plumes of tightly packed, needle-like leaves that look soft and delicate. Foxtail fern plants bloom with white flowers and produce red berries.
Are asparagus and ferns related?
The asparagus plants grown as houseplants are related to the asparagus plant we grow for food, but they are different species. Asparagus “ferns” are also no relation to the plants we typically think of as ferns, but because some species have fern-like foliage, the common name stuck.
Are there different types of asparagus ferns?
AsparagusLower classifications
Are there different varieties of asparagus fern?
Some of the most common types of Asparagus ferns are: foxtail, plumosa, ming and sprengeri. Despite their name, asparagus ferns are not actually ferns but instead perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae. They were named fern for their appearance but ferns reproduce via spores while Asparagaceae reproduce via seeds.
How poisonous is asparagus fern?
Symptoms: This plant is not considered toxic. Contact with the sap can cause skin irritation and dermatitis. The prickles may also cause mechanical injury. Warning: Seek medical attention if exposure results in symptoms.
Should I trim my asparagus fern?
If possible, it is best to remove the dormant, brown ferns in the late fall or early winter (mid-November to December). This helps control asparagus beetles that would otherwise overwinter in the ferns and damage the next year’s spears.
Why is it called asparagus fern?
Asparagus ferns have airy and delicate foliage that looks like the leaves of asparagus but arches gracefully, like a fern – hence their name. They’re not actually ferns, but members of the lily family, and hail from the humid forests of southern Africa. They make excellent house plants.
Should I cut back foxtail fern?
Foxtail ferns grow rather quickly and even surprisingly so. They can be trimmed if you desire to keep them under control and keep your garden looking kempt and more attractive. You can cut off any brown stems to encourage green growth using a pair of scissors or garden shears.
Do foxtail ferns like shade or sun?
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.
What kind of plant is a foxtail fern?
perennial evergreen herb
Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is a perennial evergreen herb that boasts luscious, fluffy stems of pine needle-like leaves, giving it a plush appearance. A member of the asparagus family, the foxtail fern is actually not a fern at all, as the plant uses seeds to reproduce, not spores.
Does asparagus fern like sun or shade?
Plant asparagus fern in full sun or light shade; plants grown in full sun are more compact and dense than those grown in shade. It does best in moist soils rich in organic matter but tolerates almost any conditions and is fairly drought tolerant once established.
Is foxtail fern poisonous to humans?
Is Foxtail fern toxic? Yes, the foxtail fern plant is toxic to humans and pets. Almost every part of this plant, including flowers, berries, and leaves, are poisonous. Usually, the toxins will cause mild to severe skin irritation.
Do asparagus ferns come back every year?
An Asparagus Fern is a perennial plant.
Then they are plants that return year after year without needing to be replanted.
What looks like asparagus fern?
About the asparagus fern
Another popular variety is Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’, commonly called foxtail fern. Foxtail ferns look similar to Sprengeri, but have long upright stems, so they look best in a pot rather than a hanging planter.
What plant looks like asparagus fern?
Horsetail. Horsetail is a weed that looks like Asparagus fern. The only closeness with asparagus is visible in stems that closely resemble the former.
Can asparagus ferns stay outside in winter?
Asparagus fern growing outdoors can withstand some very 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. The fern asparagus’ rate of growth depends on the amount of sunlight it receives.
How do you make asparagus fern bushy?
Take a sharp pair of clean scissors and make a snip where you would like the stem to end. You can do this with all of the elongated stems given that they don’t make up over half the plant and then place your asparagus fern in a brighter spot and your plant should start to grow bushier rather than leggier.
Is the asparagus fern invasive?
Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is a highly invasive, shade-tolerant perennial plant. Once established, they are challenging to control due to an extensive root structure and the ability to regrow from small parts of roots.