Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How Much Water to Give the Asparagus Fern?
How Much Water to Give the Asparagus Fern?. We have all seen huge, gorgeous pots of full-flowing asparagus fern. The green fronds with their gentle draping arms and red berries are popular throughout the United States as ornamental plants. They can be found at any store selling house plants. Known as Asparagus sprengeri, they originated in South...
We have all seen huge, gorgeous pots of full-flowing asparagus fern. The green fronds with their gentle draping arms and red berries are popular throughout the United States as ornamental plants. They can be found at any store selling house plants. Known as Asparagus sprengeri, they originated in South Africa.
What is the asparagus fern?
Surprisingly, the thick and luscious asparagus fern that we all admire is not even a fern. It is a member of the lily family, along with hosta, tulips and daylilies. Unfortunately, outdoors it is considered invasive. The asparagus fern that cascades over walls and banks is smothering plants that are native to that area, especially in Florida and the South.
In some areas of Florida, the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants is asking consumers to stop buying and propagating this plant. If you still choose to buy it, the center asks that you use it only in a pot, so you can monitor its growth.
Care of the plant
The asparagus fern house plant needs regular watering, and if you don't plan to propagate it, it should be dead-headed. Its watering needs are moderate--once a week or even every two weeks whether it lives outside or inside.
The plants, both indoor and outdoor, prefer to be moist during their summer growing season in the northern hemisphere. In the winter, water sparingly, but you must not let them to get too dry or they will lose a lot of leaves. According to plant experts at HorticulturalHelp.com, the rule of thumb is to water the asparagus fern when the soil surface feels dry. They also suggest that yellowing stems be removed. (see resources.)
The asparagus fern blooms in the middle of summer. Soil should be mildly acidic to neutral ph. Asparagus fern requires full to partial sun.
To propagate, the root ball can be divided. If you choose to repot, it should be done before new growth occurs in spring. The plant is quick-growing and is considered an evergreen perennial in warmer climates such as the south and southwest, according to the University of Arizona. (See resource section.)
