Ornamental asparagus: care, location & propagation

click fraud protection

As the name suggests, the ornamental asparagus is only used as an ornamental plant, despite its relationship to the edible asparagus.

Ornamental asparagus in a pot
The ornamental asparagus is a special foliage plant [Photo: Aunyaluck/ Shutterstock.com]

About 6 species from the genus asparagus (asparagus spec.) belong to the ornamental asparagus, which are used as ornamental plants. The species are particularly well known Asparagus densiflorus and Asparagus setaceus. In this article, we will introduce you to the houseplants with their properties and location and care requirements.

Contents

  • Ornamental asparagus: origin and characteristics
  • What types and varieties are there?
    • Spring Asparagus (Asparagus setaceus)
    • Ornamental asparagus (Asparagus densiflorus)
    • Indian bindweed asparagus (Asparagus asparagoides)
    • Sicklethorn Asparagus (Asparagus falcatus)
    • Fern Asparagus (Asparagus filicinus)
  • Plants: location, soil and Co.
  • Cultivate ornamental asparagus
    • Pour right
    • Repot ornamental asparagus
    • Fertilize
    • Cut ornamental asparagus
    • Ornamental asparagus gets yellow leaves
  • Is ornamental asparagus hardy?
  • Propagation of ornamental asparagus
  • Is ornamental asparagus poisonous?

Ornamental asparagus: origin and characteristics

All types of ornamental asparagus are classified in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The home of the plants is located in tropical South and East Africa. The different asparagus-Species differ in size, growth habit and appearance. These are perennial, herbaceous plants or subshrubs. Characteristic of the usually not hardy ornamental asparagus are the false leaves and the growth habit. The former represent broader shoots of the shoot axis, which take over the function of photosynthesis in plants with very small or few leaves. The finely structured and feathery false leaves are often incorrectly referred to as needles. The actual leaves of the ornamental asparagus are transformed into thorns. Ornamental asparagus can grow to a height of up to 150 cm - twining or climbing ornamental asparagus species clearly exceed this. The white flowers of the ornamental asparagus are small, inconspicuous and have a strong scent. The poisonous berries of the ornamental asparagus come in red, orange or purple. When cultivated as a houseplant, however, flowering and, above all, fruit formation will rarely take place.

Ornamental asparagus flowers
The flowers are just as filigree as the small false leaves [Photo: Tamara Kulikova/ Shutterstock.com]

What types and varieties are there?

Below you will find an overview of the ornamental asparagus species and their varieties. Their properties and special features are described in more detail here.

Spring Asparagus (Asparagus setaceus)

The rhizome-forming spring asparagus grows between 15 and 60 cm high. Its thread-like leaves are extremely delicate. The thin shoots first strive upright and then form more or less horizontal, flat fans with the branched twigs and leaves. The species turns out to be somewhat sensitive when it comes to care.

  • Asparagus setaceus ˈNanusˈ: This variety represents the small form of spring asparagus.
  • Asparagus setaceus ˈRobustˈ: Due to its robustness, this variety is slightly easier to care for than the species.
ornamental asparagus branches
The branches of feather asparagus resemble a fern [Photo: Adam Yee/ Shutterstock.com]

Ornamental asparagus (Asparagus densiflorus)

The ornamental asparagus is a semi-shrub with a climbing habit that reaches heights of 30 to 150 cm. The plant forms upright to hanging shoots with small, needle-shaped false leaves and a bulbous root.

  • Asparagus densiflorus ˈMeyeriˈ: This variety is also often referred to as foxtail asparagus because of its compact fronds, which stand more or less upright.
  • Asparagus densiflorus ˈSprengeriˈ: This well-known variety forms less compact shoots, which are less leafy and hang down. It is therefore very suitable as a traffic light plant.
Ornamental asparagus foxtail type
Foxtail asparagus can be recognized immediately by its compact shoots [Photo: Davinsi/ Shutterstock.com]

Indian bindweed asparagus (Asparagus asparagoides)

Also a climbing plant with many shoots up to 2 m long is the bindweed asparagus. Its shiny, leathery false leaves are ovate, pointed and much wider than the needle-shaped false leaves of spring or ornamental asparagus. forms in the ground Asparagus asparagoides a rhizome with tuberous roots.

  • Asparagus asparagoides ˈMyrtifoliusˈ: The variety forms somewhat filigree leaves and grows more slowly.

Sicklethorn Asparagus (Asparagus falcatus)

The sickle-thorn asparagus is a very vigorous climbing plant that reaches heights of up to 7 m in its natural habitat. Forms as a houseplant Asparagus falcatus shoots up to 1.5 m long, woody in the lower part. The growth is expansive and shrub-like. Care should be taken when handling the plant due to the strong thorns. The sickle-shaped leaves of this species are longer and slightly wider than the false leaves of the other varieties.

Ornamental asparagus sickle thorn
The leaves of the sickle-thorn asparagus are significantly larger [Photo: pannat/ Shutterstock.com]

Fern Asparagus (Asparagus filicinus)

The fern asparagus usually forms between 50 and 70 cm high, upright shoots. The fern-like branches on it are similar to those on Asparagus setaceus arranged horizontally one above the other. The delicate false leaves can also be compared to those of ornamental asparagus.

Plants: location, soil and Co.

All ornamental asparagus types and varieties prefer warm, bright to slightly shady locations without direct sunlight and drafts. A place with high humidity, such as the bathroom, is particularly advantageous for spring asparagus - it is sensitive to dry air. The species feel most comfortable at a room temperature of about 20 °C. In winter, the plants can be placed in a cooler place with around 12 to 15 °C, then watered a little less and no longer fertilized. The choice of planter depends on the species and the size of the plant. Since rhizomes and sometimes root nodules are formed, the pot should be big enough and a bit wider than high. A kind of trellis or trellis should be attached for the long shoots of the sickle-thorn and holly asparagus.

Fruits on ornamental asparagus
Fruiting only occurs in favorable locations [Photo: simona pavan/ Shutterstock.com]

Since waterlogging should be avoided at all costs, the water permeability of the substrate plays an important role. With a self-made mixture of 30% sand, 5% clay flour and moderately nutrient-rich potting soil you get an optimal basis. A drainage layer of expanded clay about 3 cm high at the bottom of the pot is also beneficial. Our high-quality and peat-free Plantura organic universal soil is a good choice, for example because of the ground coconut fibers, because the coconut material favors the on the one hand the permeability of the substrate, on the other hand it stores water and slowly releases it back to the plant away. In addition, our organic soil contains sufficient fertilizer for the first few months.

Organic universal soil 40 L

Organic universal soil 40 L

star placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholder
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
(4.7/5)
  • Ideal for all plants in the house, garden and on the balcony
  • Ensures a vital & strong plant splendor as well as a healthy soil life
  • Peat-free & climate-friendly: CO2-reduced organic soil made in Germany
16,99 €
To the Plantura shop

Tip: In the warm summer months, ornamental asparagus can easily be cultivated in pots on the balcony or in the garden. Also, be careful not to expose the plants to direct sunlight. At the latest when the temperature drops to around 15 °C, the ornamental asparagus should be placed back in the house in a cool place. Before that, the plant is best examined thoroughly for pests.

Cultivate ornamental asparagus

The ornamental asparagus species are indoor plants with rather low care requirements. Nevertheless, the plant benefits from the following measures and shows this with healthy and vigorous growth.

Pour right

The root ball of the ornamental asparagus should always be kept moderately moist to protect it from drying out. The easiest way is to dip the root ball in water once a week so that it can soak. It is also important to avoid waterlogging, otherwise root rot and the death of the plant must be expected.

Repot ornamental asparagus

Another important care measure is repotting the ornamental asparagus. This should be done at the latest when the roots have taken up the entire pot and emerge from the holes in the planter. The optimal time for repotting is in early spring.

ornamental asparagus roots
Repotting becomes necessary when the pot is heavily rooted [Photo: Apple_Mac/ Shutterstock.com]

Fertilize

With liquid fertilizers, the nutrients can be easily administered via the irrigation water. The average nitrogen requirement of ornamental asparagus can, for example, be met with our Plantura organic indoor & green plant fertilizer be covered. Its balanced NK ratio promotes the formation of healthy and strong shoots of ornamental asparagus. Do not use our liquid fertilizer for ornamental asparagus more than twice a month.

Organic room and green plant fertilizer 800 ml

Organic room and green plant fertilizer 800 ml

star placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholderstar placeholder
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
(4.8/5)
  • Ideal for a variety of green plants & indoor plants
  • Organic liquid fertilizer for healthy growth & vigorous plants
  • Quick & easy watering application - safe for pets & garden animals
12,99 €
To the Plantura shop

Cut ornamental asparagus

The ornamental asparagus species are usually so robust that even with serious care mistakes, such as example of neglected watering, the entire plant can be cut back to just above the root can. This will provoke new growth. The prerequisite for this is an intact base. High humidity promotes renewed budding. With regard to cutting measures on ornamental asparagus, it is sufficient to cut off dried shoots above the ground.

Ornamental asparagus gets yellow leaves

The discoloration of the shoots or the falling leaves of ornamental asparagus can have various causes: The wrong location, an irregular water supply or lack of nutrients can cause it related. These aspects should now be closely monitored. Discolored and yellowed plant parts can simply be cut off close to the ground.

Caring for ornamental asparagus properly
Yellow chlorosis can have various causes [Photo: sianstock/ Shutterstock.com]

Is ornamental asparagus hardy?

The robustness of ornamental asparagus is also evident during the winter. Temperatures of just over 10°C are tolerated. The houseplant can remain in the same location over the winter months as long as there is still enough light - for example in bright, slightly heated conservatories. If you cannot offer it a very bright place, a cool place at around 12 to 15 °C should be chosen and watering reduced. The fertilizer application is suspended over the winter months.

Propagation of ornamental asparagus

The most promising approach is to propagate ornamental asparagus by dividing the rhizome. It is important to keep the cut surfaces as small as possible and to use clean, disinfected cutting tools. Winter is a good time for propagation, especially if the plant has been overwintered in a cool place. Otherwise, the division can take place in the spring. A deep pruning of the ornamental asparagus is possible before dividing, but not absolutely necessary. Propagation by division can be done as follows:

  • Remove ornamental asparagus from the pot
  • Carefully loosen the plant by pulling it apart
  • Cut through connected rhizomes or roots
  • Place individual plant parts in new containers and water
Offshoot of ornamental asparagus
The new plant parts are immediately put back into a suitable pot [Photo: Simol1407/ Shutterstock.com]

Propagation via seeds of ornamental asparagus would also be possible. These would be taken out of the fruit and washed off. Finally, in spring they can be sown at 15 °C in a cool room. However, since fruiting is rather rare when cultured indoors, this type of propagation only plays a role in a few cases.

Is ornamental asparagus poisonous?

Not all parts of the ornamental asparagus plant are classified as poisonous: Only the berries can pose a danger to your pets or small children. Therefore, the fruit should be removed in time or the plant should be kept away from children and animals when the fruit is developing.

Another easy-care houseplant is the pencil tree (Euphorbia tirucalli) with its somewhat bizarre growth habit. The succulent, elongated side shoots make the pencil bush a real eye-catcher.

Register now for the Garten-Post and receive great tips, seasonal trends and inspiration on everything to do with the garden from our expert every week.