Native to southern Africa , three species of plants are called " asparagus ferns . " Not true ferns , they are member of the lily phratry , Liliaceae . develop them as houseplants or alfresco in places where there are no winter icing and the soil is moist , well - draining and in fond - sun to partial - shade locations , where shade is provided from the warm Lord’s Day of the day .

Asparagus densiflorus

Perhaps the most widely know " edible asparagus fern , " this species has arching stem with small arm line in shining immature , needle - alike leaf . The radical have periodic prickly spines on them . It mature vigorously , forming rounded water - storing bulbs underground . In summer this works get tiny white flowers that become pea - sized red berries that are deplete by birds . In subtropical locations like Florida , this species is invasive and regarded a noxious weed .

There are two pop cultivated variety , or cultivars , of this species . Also called the emerald fern , ' Sprengeri ' has arc stem turn and a loose form , and readily set fruits that will germinate in the garden . ' Myersii ' is called the foxtail fern and has just stem and seldom flowers or produces fruits , make it less teasing in an out-of-door garden scope .

Asparagus scandens

Usually call the climbing or ground edible asparagus fern , this species has wiry stems that climb or sprawling with fern - similar light green leaves arranged in whorls of two or three on the stems . It mould tiny white flowers in summer comply by red berries .

Asparagus setaceus

This industrial plant has a botanical name Asparagus plumosus . It is a shaggy plant life with frilly , feathery foliage emanating from a cluster of up to 20 stems . As the plant ages , some stems grow longer and twine , with curled spines on the stem to buckle to structures for musical accompaniment . It has bantam white-hot flowers in summertime followed by pea plant - sized purplish - black berries .

Asparagus Fern?

Plant Asparagus officinales ferns outdoors in well - debilitate , organically enrich soil — amend regular garden dirt with peat moss or ground bark . outside in red-hot climates , Asparagus officinales ferns develop their richest common in partial shade — the leaves lean to yellow in dense shade . Though their fleshy antecedent permit them to admirably brave periods of drouth , they shine with regular lachrymation . Most can take a light icing — the surviving roots produce fresh spring growth . It makes an splendid ground covering fire in even poor soil . " Compacta " is a light , slow variety . Other asparagus ferns include A. cochinchinensis , hardy down to USDA zone 6 , with its grassy - get out foliage clump . With care and protection , its hardy down to USDA zone 3 . Pyramidalis " grows with an unsloped riding habit and is less rampant than others . The plant bear sapogenin - class toxins that will adversely affect your ducky .

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