Asparagus densiflorus

Common Names

Asparagus Fern, Foxtail Fern, Emerald Fern, Plume Asparagus, Emerald Feather, Lace Fern, Sprengeri Fern

Summary

This southern Africa native evergreen perennial in the Asparagaceae family is not a true fern; it features dense, arching, fern-like foliage with bright green, needle-like cladodes and grows as a mounded to spreading form about 1–3 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, with small white fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer followed by red berries, and cultivars include Myersii (foxtail fern) and Sprengeri (emerald fern).

Preferring bright indirect to partial shade, it tolerates some morning sun but avoids harsh afternoon sun, and requires moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH around 6.5–7.5, kept evenly moist but not waterlogged, with top inch drying between waterings; outdoors it is hardy in USDA zones 9–11 and frost-tender elsewhere, and it is drought-tolerant once established, suitable for indoors or outdoors in containers, and used as ground cover, in borders, foundations, containers, hanging baskets, and floral arrangements; propagation is by division or seed, pruning at the base maintains form, and gloves are advisable due to small stem thorns, with pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites possible; it can be invasive in some warm climates.

Lifecycle

Annual, Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

3-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

Soil Type

Well-drained soil rich in organic matter; pH ~6.5–7.5.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.5-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral, tolerates 5.5-7.5

Bloom Color

White to light pink

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green with variations from bright green to deep green, including emerald green, pale green in deep shade, dark green in partial shade, and light green.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: Yes — berries eaten by birds; attracts birds