Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii')
Asparagus fern 'Myersii' offers dense, foxtail-like plumes. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in part shade.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ is highly valued by gardeners for its unique, dense, plume-like foliage, often resembling a foxtail, which gives it the common name Foxtail Fern. Though it shares the common name Asparagus fern, this evergreen plant is technically not a true fern, belonging instead to the Asparagaceae family. This cultivar offers an upright, compact habit compared to its relatives, making it a striking textural element in borders, containers, and as a distinctive houseplant across many regions.
This herbaceous perennial is relatively easy to manage, requiring only medium water input and low maintenance once established in appropriate conditions. Its appeal lies in its bright green, semi-stiff arching stems, which create a soft, airy texture that contrasts beautifully with broad-leafed plants. Gardeners appreciate the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ for its year-round greenery in warmer climates and its adaptability to indoor life.
Native to the rocky, open woods of southeastern South Africa, this ornamental asparagus has become popular globally for its aesthetic value. While the species can be invasive, the ‘Myersii’ cultivar produces fewer berries, significantly reducing its invasive potential in landscapes where it is grown outdoors, such as in USDA Zones 9 through 11.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-3 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ is best done when frost danger has passed in the spring, allowing it to establish its fibrous, tuberous roots through the growing season. It thrives in organically rich, consistently moist yet very well-drained soils. Aim for a location receiving part shade, characterized by bright indirect light or filtered sunlight; direct, intense afternoon sun must be avoided as it can cause the distinct green cladodes to yellow significantly.
Care for your Asparagus fern requires consistent moisture, particularly from spring through autumn. While it appreciates moisture, ensure drainage is excellent to prevent root or crown rotting, a potential issue for this plant. Pruning for shape removal is simple: pinch back stem tips to encourage denser foliage growth, or if the plant loses its attractive architecture, stems can be cut back close to the soil level for complete regeneration.
If you live north of Zone 9, container culture is the standard approach. Use a well-drained, peaty potting mix for Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ grown indoors. While it does not strictly require winter dormancy, reduce watering slightly during the colder months, maintaining minimum temperatures around 50°F inside. This adaptability makes the Asparagus fern a manageable houseplant even without high humidity requirements.
Plants in the ground in Zones 9-11 are generally safe unless temperatures drop between 20–25°F, which may cause top growth to die back but typically leaves the roots hardy. Remember that this plant is considered invasive in certain warmer regions, so always check local regulations before planting Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ directly into the landscape.
Landscape Uses
When kept hardy outdoors, this herbaceous perennial works beautifully tucked into borders or positioned near foundations where its arching forms can soften hard lines. The textural contrast offered by the dense, plume-like stems of Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ makes it an effective visual anchor against fine-textured or broad-leafed surrounding plants. It also forms an interesting, informal ground cover in appropriate sunny to shady spots.
The versatility extends significantly into container gardening. Asparagus fern performs excellently in pots, hanging baskets, or mixed containers, particularly those placed in bright, sun-filtered patio areas during the summer months. These container specimens are frequently brought indoors to serve as excellent houseplants when cooler weather approaches and outside the growing zones.
Florists highly value the green stems for their structural quality and texture when added to cut arrangements, providing long-lasting filler that complements nearly any floral palette. For year-round color and texture in managed environments, few plants offer the combination of low maintenance and distinctive form found in the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Fragrant
- Insignificant
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ is specifically recognized for its upright, compact, plume-like stems that resemble foxtails, distinguishing it from the more sprawling species form. As a herbaceous perennial, it produces dense, fern-like, evergreen foliage forming an arching mound that reaches about two feet tall, featuring cladodes (leaf-like stem segments) nearly an inch long. Although bearing tiny, fragrant white flowers followed by small red berries, its primary ornamental appeal is textural, earning it an RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
Gardeners should watch for common indoor or outdoor pests such as mites, aphids, and mealybugs, which can sometimes afflict the Asparagus fern. Fungal issues like leaf spot or root/crown rot may develop if watering is excessive or if drainage is poor, which is a critical consideration given its medium water needs. For those growing this plant indoors, leaf drop can occasionally be a nuisance, especially during the winter months when conditions fluctuate.
If you are growing this plant where it is treated as an annual or container specimen, potential spread is unlikely; however, outside the container, be aware that the species is considered invasive in regions like Florida and Southern California. Always verify local environmental regulations before allowing the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ to spread freely in your native landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Asparagus fern suitable for?
The Asparagus fern, or Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’, is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, though roots can tolerate temperatures down to about 20-25°F.
How large does Asparagus fern grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 1 to 3 feet, with a spread generally ranging from 3 to 4 feet wide, developing distinct upright plumes.
What sun exposure does Asparagus fern need?
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ performs best in part shade, requiring bright, indirect light or filtered sun, and should avoid harsh, hot afternoon sun exposure.
When does Asparagus fern bloom?
It is a seasonal bloomer, producing tiny, insignificant, often fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer.
Conclusion
The Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ provides exceptional texture and reliable evergreen structure with minimal demands on the gardener, securing its place as a favorite ornamental. Whether used as a standout container plant or integrated into warm-climate perennial beds, its unique foxtail appearance adds instant architectural interest. Before adding this species to your landscape, confirm that your local USDA hardiness zone is 9 or warmer, or plan to overwinter your Asparagus fern indoors.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ is straightforward, offering gardeners flexibility in expanding their collection. The most reliable methods involve division of the established fibrous and tuberous root structure during the spring dormancy transition or active growth period. Alternatively, gardeners can utilize seeds collected from the showy red berries, which birds frequently consume and subsequently disperse, often leading to ready sprouting in new locations.
Successful vegetative propagation via division ensures the resulting plant retains the exact upright habit of the parent ‘Myersii’ cultivar. When dividing clumps, ensure each new section has healthy tuberous roots attached to sustain the arching stems. This ease of propagation contributes to the plant’s widespread use in various settings.
Design Ideas
The upright, plume-like architecture of the Asparagus fern excels at providing vertical contrast in mixed plantings. Use several plants grouped together to create a dense, feathery screen or foundation planting where you need soft texture rather than rigid hedging. In containers, position the Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’ centrally as the “thriller,” allowing trailing plants like Creeping Jenny or Dichondra to spill over the edges.
Its preference for part shade makes it an excellent under-planting choice beneath taller deciduous or evergreen trees, provided the soil remains consistently moist. Avoid placing it directly beside plants that require dry conditions, as the medium water needs of the Asparagus fern must be met for optimal health and color saturation of the plumes.
