Asparagus setaceus

Common Names

Asparagus Fern, Lace Fern, Common Asparagus Fern, Climbing Asparagus, Plumosa Fern, Asparagus Plumosus, Ferny Asparagus, Asparagus Grass

Summary

Native to Southern Africa, this evergreen climber shows feathery foliage formed by cladodes on wiry stems and can grow as a bushy mass or climb surfaces; leaves are reduced to tiny scales, and small white flowers precede toxic berries.

Cultivation favors bright indirect light with some direct sun, warm temperatures around 18–24°C (60–75°F), and high humidity; soil should be well-drained and kept evenly moist, with watering when the top of the soil dries and occasional misting to maintain humidity; propagation is mainly by division (seeds possible but slower); uses include terrariums, indoor plantings, and floral arrangements; hardy to USDA zones 9–11; berries are poisonous if eaten and the plant can be invasive in some regions, so container culture is often preferred.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-8 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, moist soil that dries slightly between waterings

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast growth, with rapid growth under optimal conditions and slowdown in fall and winter.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds