Asparagus fern/ Christmas tree fern/ Asparagus Setaceus (Single plant)

Description

Quantity- Single Plant clump- two-three leaves

Versatile asparagus fern is an attractive herbaceous perennial that is easy to grow, though not actually a fern. The soft texture of this plant’s small needle-like leaves resembles the foliage of asparagus plants. It’s a good choice for adding airy texture to mixed garden beds. It will produce dainty white blossoms followed by red berries that attract birds. You will more often find asparagus fern growing indoors as a dense, bushy houseplant with lace-like foliage that gracefully arches outward.

Plant Characteristics

Origin : South Africa

Family : Asparagaceae

Common Name: Asparagus fern

Plant type:  Herbaceous perennial

Difficulty Level: Easy

Light Demand: Low

Co2 Demand: Low

Fertilizer Demand: Low

Packing Type: Loose and moist

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR FERNS:

SOIL:

• Provide a loose, a well-draining soil mixture, not much. Since they prefer organic content in the soil such as peat, coconut peat, keeping a balanced acidic soil (pH 6-6.5) is benefitting to the plant growth.
• Peat moss can be a great alternative for soil which will maintain a high humid condition.
• More prolonged period of dry soil will turn the fronds yellow and your plant might even die.
• The uniqueness about this fern is that it can tolerate to dry soil to some extent.

LIGHT:

• These plant needs a bright indirect light so keep near a window where direct sunlight does not fall. Do not let direct sunlight touch the foliage, the leaves may become scorched.
• An ideal location will be where filtered sunlight or partial shade is available.

WATERING:

• They prefer moist soil (not wet). make sure the soil is Damp. To maintain the water content or moisture in the soil, use pebble tray OR keep a sprayer handy.
• Drooping of leaves is possible if the plant is underwatered or overwatered. Reduce watering during winters.

PRUNING:

• Pruning is not required much. Do remove the yellow and brown fronds.

FERTILIZING:

• Ferns are not a fan of fertilizers. They hate the inorganic build-up on the topsoil.
• Fertilize during the growing season (April-September), preferably liquid fertilizer of half the strength. Avoid bringing the fertilizer in contact with the fronds.

REPOTTING:

• If you have the plant for a year or so and you observe the plant is growing slow, check for its nutrient requirements or the plants need a bigger pot.
• Re-pot the ferns during the growing season i.e., spring.

HOW TO PROPAGATE YOUR FERNS:

The propagation is ferns is damn easy, when grown with rhizome division. By simply snipping some fronds with rhizomes and plant in new pot.

They can also be propagated using spores, which can be tricky for the beginners.

Supplements

When the plant is actively growing new stems and foliage, apply a weak liquid fertilizer about once a week. During the main growing season (June-July) feed the plant with organic fertilizer.

KNOW YOUR FERNS:

There are some basic things which, y’all dear customers need to know. The so-called leaves are not leaves but FRONDS, the roots are called RHIZOMES, and FERNS DO NOT PRODUCE FLOWERS.

They prefer moisture and less of sun’s light. Ferns are sensitive plants and may die when fertilizers are provided to them in excess.

Why Asparagus fern ?

Asparagus fern is a great houseplant for novice gardeners as it doesn’t require any special care. It grows well in direct or bright indirect light (the brighter the light, the faster it will grow) and because of the tuberous roots which store water, it can tolerate periods of neglect.

A spiky, shade loving plant does well at the center of the pot, surrounded by the cascading branches of the asparagus fern.

Asparagus fern is valued as an ornamental for its bright green, arching stems and airy foliage. Its fine foliage gives a soft or fluffy appearance and can be used to good effect for textural contrast in combination with plants having medium or coarse-textured foliage or very large leaves