Foxtail Fern

This lush Fern makes a big impact! The Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers') has a huge personality! It's absolutely wonderful as a houseplant, planted in a container as a patio plant in cold winter zones, or as an evergreen perennial planted in the ground in warm winter zones!

This native of South Africa isn't a true Fern at all, as it propagates by seed, not spores. This cutie is an Asparagus cousin and is actually a member of the Lily family!

This plant has a ton of distinctive features. When planted in the ground, this plant looks like Dr. Suess could have included it in one of his books! Each plume-like stemmed branch grows into a slender, pointed frond that arches out from the center stem. Some of these fronds point up, some go this way, and some go that way.

Overall, the high texture shape reads as wildly full-figured, but when looking closer, you'll notice that each grassy green frond is liberally covered with very fine-textured soft "leaves" (ok, ok... cladodes, to be precise).

Do you like butterflies? Adorning the stems in mid-summer, you'll thrill to see pollinators sipping nectar from the delicate white flowers. The flowers, while tiny, provide additional fresh, crisp appeal against all the narrow, green foliage. Each of those blooms transitions to small green berries that turn a brilliant red for fall. They look beautiful, but the taste? Yuck! The berries of the Foxtail Fern are ONLY for decoration!

Some will appreciate the fact that this plant is known as a Firewise selection for firescaping. It can take coastal exposure and is drought-resistant. Deer and rabbits tend to pass it by! Hardy outdoors throughout USDA planting zones 9-11, but as outdoor seasonal accents everywhere else. You can even use these plants as Houseplants during the cold winter months!

Planting and Application:

If you are lucky enough to grow this plant outdoors in zones 9-11 they make outstanding edging plants in the perennial border. Foxtail Tern is a fantastic plant for outdoor borders, adds curiosity to Rock Gardens, and becomes dramatic spectacles when planted in mass as a groundcover!

It's also perfect when used in planter boxes or hanging baskets. Try it as a memorable "Thriller" in containers - both indoors and out! Set yours up in a tall urn or on a pillar to really show them off! Asparagus Ferns also look fantastic in large planters as the main specimen.

You'll want to cut fronds to use in your cut flower arrangements as a unique filler. What a wonderfully dramatic look that lasts for weeks before yellowing!

• Unique Evergreen Fern
• Bright Green Color
• White Flowers & Red Berries
• Soft Textured Foxtail-Like Long Fronds
• White Flowers and Red Berries
• Works Well in Containers & Hanging Basket

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Foxtail Fern is an easy perennial to care for and is drought and seaside-tolerant. Remember, this plant is originally from South Africa, it will love those long periodic "rainfalls". Let it dry out between waterings.

They are best grown in full morning sun but need protection from the afternoon sun. Give them partial shade through the hot afternoon, especially if in a container, placed outdoors during the growing season. Indoors, it can take direct full sun in winter.

The plants grow and spread by fleshy, tuberous roots, almost like small white sweet potatoes when you dig them up to transplant. These extensive root systems protect the plant as the fleshy roots store water beautifully, which makes them quite forgiving of extended vacations.

Mist it with a spray bottle to raise humidity more often than you water it. Feel the soil around the roots using the Finger Test (stick your finger in the dirt!) to see if it's dry or moist. If dry, give it a long drink. Be sure to mop up any extra water in the saucer, as it won't like to sit in standing water. Some people prefer to take the plant to the sink and water the soil thoroughly, then drain it into the sink.

Give it an annual haircut to clean up the oldest sprays of foliage. Give it an annual haircut to clean up the oldest sprays of foliage. Simply lift the lowest fronds off the ground and look underneath. Trim brown fronds back to the stem. Remove and compost any spent plant litter at the start of the season. You won't need to prune for size if you give them space to do their thing and grow to their full mature size, but you can remove any yellowing or damaged fronds as needed at any time of the year.

Check out our Garden Blog for indoor houseplant care during the winter.

• Partial Shade & Bright Indirect Light
• Consistent Moisture - Drought Resistant Once Established
• Any Rich Well-Draining Soil
• Trim Any Time To Remove Old Fronds
• Tough & Easy-Care

If you need some funky flair for your landscape, easy care, long-lived Foxtail Fern is just the ticket. Gorgeous evergreen color, lush texture, and delightful eye-catching form make this an ideal fern for your home. Calculate into its assets the flowers and berries, and you have a stunning Fern! Order now at Nature Hills!