Asparagus Fern Care

Asparagus Fern, pom pom asparagus fern and zig-zag shrub, is a shrubby herbaceous evergreen perennial that typically grows to 6-8’ tall. It is native to the arid regions of South Africa.

This plant is noted for its fern-like foliage of needle-like clusters which are spaced along the stems, with each cluster resembling a pom pom, hence the common name of pom pom asparagus fern. It is not, in fact, a fern, however. Stems create a zig-zag branching structure, hence the common name of a zig-zag shrub. Small, fragrant, 6-petaled, white flowers in open axillary umbels bloom in spring to early summer. Flowers are often followed by small orange round fruits that mature to black.

Below are some tips and tricks to best care for your Asparagus Fern! 

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Light: Bright, indirect light. A brightly lit spot without direct sunshine is suggested. A small amount of morning sun is not a problem, and will actually help your fern to grow well. Ferns do very well in low light conditions.

Water: 3-4 days. Ferns love to remain moist at all times and never want to dry out.  Drainage is recommended to prevent the soil from becoming water-logged.

Fertilizer: If you feel the need to, you can use a balanced houseplant fertilizer once a month, or every other week in the summer.  Fertilizing is only truly necessary if the soil conditions are poor.

 

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