Asparagus Fern

Botanical Name: Asparagus Aethiopicus

This plant goes by the common names of Asparagus Fern and Foxtail Fern in equal measure, but it is not, in fact, a fern.  Belonging to the asparagus family, and in the same genus as the coveted vegetable, Asparagus Fern is a perennial herb native to South Africa.  It has a tough stem with incredibly small ‘leaves’, sometimes measuring less than a centimetre in length. These so-called leaves are actually very small branches known as cladodes.  They bear little pale pink and white flowers in spring, and when these drop off in winter, their green berries will turn a rich red.

The Asparagus Fern ought to be grown indoors in cooler climates and will invariably require a high amount of humidity.  During dry periods, it should be misted with a water spray at least once daily to maintain required levels of humidity. The Asparagus Fern should be watered a few times a week, or more often when the weather is warm.  It thrives in partial shade.