Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii': Meyers Asparagus Fern, Foxtail Fern

This Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ publication is part of a document series originally written by Edward F. Gilman. Visit https://FloridaFriendlyLandscaping.com to learn more about creating and maintaining attractive landscapes that protect Florida's water resources and environment.

Introduction

Meyers asparagus fern is a spreading perennial herb that has a fine texture with a stiff, upright growth habit (Figure 1). It has a height of up to 2 feet and spread of 4 feet. The habit is quite unlike that of the more common Sprenger asparagus fern, which has a feathery texture and arching to cascading form. The structures that most consider to be the leaves of this plant are narrow, light green, leaf-like branchlets called cladophylls (Figure 2). The asparagus fern has stems that emerge directly from the ground and has very short branches. These stems are woody and are often armed with sharp spines. The flowers are inconspicuous, white or pale pink in coloration, and occur in 1/4-inch-long axillary racemes (Figure 3). This plant produces showy red berries, which attract birds (Figure 4). This plant is suited to a variety of uses including mass planting or groundcover, container or above-ground planter, as a houseplant, border in the landscape, or used as an accent.

General Information

Scientific name: Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyersii'

Pronunciation: ass-SPAR-uh-gus den-sif-FLOR-us

Common name(s): Meyers asparagus fern; foxtail asparagus fern; foxtail fern

Family: Asparagaceae

Plant type: herbaceous; perennial

USDA hardiness zones: 9A through 11B (Figures 5 and 6)

Planting month for zone 9: year-round

Planting month for zones 10 and 11: year-round

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; groundcover; border; suitable for growing indoors; accent

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 2 to 4 feet

Plant habit: upright

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: fine

Use and Management

Meyers asparagus fern thrives when planted in partial to full shade. It is moderately drought tolerant and adapts to a variety of soil types but requires well-drained soil. This plant also has good salt tolerance. Additional irrigation may be required during drought conditions. This plant should not be located in direct sunlight, as it will cause leaf scorching. Wet soils should be avoided as they can cause root rot. This plant may die back in the winter but will grow back from the roots in USDA hardiness zones 6A to 11B.

This plant may be used as a specimen, border, ground cover, bedding plant, or container plant. It will not cascade over a wall like the Sprenger asparagus fern cultivar because the Meyers fern’s growth habit is upright, but could be used as a small low-growing, unclipped hedge or border. It will make a nice accent plant in a small residential landscape or rock garden. This plant may also be grown in a bright indoor location.

Asparagus fern may be propagated by seeds and by division of the tubers.

Pests and Diseases

Pest issues include mites. No diseases of major concern.