Foxtail Fern botanically known as Asparagus densiflorus is a native of the Cape of Good Hope area in South Africa. The species name densiflorus, refers to the tiny white flowers which grow densely along the stem of the plant or the dense foliage.
This herbaceous perennial is in the genus Asparagus and a member of the lily family – Liliaceae. Asparagus densiflorus is an ornamental plant and not an edible asparagus. The densiflorus plant can attain a height of 2′ to 3′ feet and a spread of 3′ to 4′ feet. Evergreen needle-like leaves on attractive arching stems and fern-like, but this plant is not actually a true fern. When kept in deep shade, the foliage is very pale green. In partial shade, it is a dark green.
Water your fern using a watering can with a long spout. That way, you can apply a water directly to a top of a potting soil. This is particularly relevant with hanging ferns where a fronds often hang down in quite thick curtains. You can maneuver a long nozzle between a fronds until it is over a soil.
Loamy soil, a relatively even mix of sand, silt, and clay, feels fine-textured and slightly damp. It has ideal characteristics for gardening, lawns, and shrubs. Loamy soil has great structure, adequate drainage, is moisture-retaining, full of nutrients, easily cultivated and it warms up quickly in spring, but doesn't dry out quickly in summer.
Use a fertilizer formulated specifically for your plant. Avoid over-fertilizing and follow the instruction on the label.
It is important because damaged leaves and stems can actually be an energy drain on your plant. By removing those dead parts, you're taking some of that work off your plant’s plate and allowing it to divert its energy into healthy leaves and new growth!
The plant is tolerant of cold temperatures down to 25° F. It may die back at this low temperature, but the tuberous root system will remain alive below the soil. Lower temperatures will kill the plant entirely.
Choose a pot with drainage holes, which also ensures potting soil doesn't stay too wet after watering your houseplants. The excess can freely escape out the bottom of the container, allowing oxygen to make its way to plant roots.
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.
