How to Grow and Care for Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) Indoors
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Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) performs best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with weekly feeding in the growing season.
Asparagus asparagoides also called Cape Smilax, Bridal Creeper or Bridal-veil Creeper is among the herbaceous ornamental Asparagus plants with vigorously-growing, trailing stems on which shiny green leaf-like structures are borne.
These leaf-like structures are flattened stems and not true leaves. The Bridal Creeper shiny foliage remains fresh for a long time after cutting which makes it ideal for floral arrangements especially bridal bouquets and hence the common name 'Bridal Creeper'.
Though commonly called a fern, Cape Smilax is not among the True Ferns as it is much easier to grow than true ferns. It adapts well to wide variations in light, heat and watering frequency.
Botanical name: Asparagus asparagoides
Synonym: Asparagus kuisibensis, Asparagus medeoloides
Family: Asparagaceae
Sufamily: Asparagoideae
Common names: Smilax Asparagus Fern, Cape Smilax, Bridal Creeper, Bridal-veil Creeper
Origin
Asparagus asparagoides is native to eastern and southern Africa.
Flower
When provided with the right growing conditions, Smilax Asparagus Fern may produce pendant white flowers which are followed by bright red berries.
Size
Bridal Creeper is a trailing plant whose stems can grow to 5 feet long and are clothed with shiny green leaf-like structures. These growing characteristics make this plant one of the best plants for a study table, an office desk, a hanging basket and other limited spaces.
Invasiveness
According to Mark Tancig (University of Florida), Asparagus Ferns have been found to be invasive. Therefore, avoid growing Asparagus Ferns in the ground and dispose them by burning as they grow vigorously, spreading across and scrambling up other plants.
Toxicity
Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) like other Asparagus Ferns is toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. If the berries are ingested, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. If handled with bare hands, the berries can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.
The foliage of mature Smilax Asparagus Fern can develop sharp spines on the branches which can cause skin irritation if handled with bare hands. Therefore, always wear gloves when handling it to avoid injury.
Where to Buy
Smilax Asparagus are valuable plants to add to your collection, you may obtain these online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Asparagus asparagoides Care Indoors
Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils coupled with weekly feeding during the growing season.
Asparagus asparagoides requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as provide adequate room for new growth. Repotting is only need when it becomes pot-bound. Continue reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Smilax Asparagus Fern thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry a little between waterings.
Cut down on watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not let the soil to dry out completely. Occasionally water from the bottom to ensure that the soil ball is thoroughly wetted.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting and death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Smilax Asparagus Fern grows best in medium to bright indirect light conditions. Keep it away from direct sunlight as direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
Insufficient light will cause the leaves to loss their color, turning them yellowish. Therefore, where the natural light is not adequate, you may grow Asparagus asparagoides under grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot once in a while to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-270C is ideal for Smilax Asparagus Fern. Though it can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, constantly high temperatures can damage it.
Smilax Asparagus Fern has no need for extra humidity, average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. However, it benefits from occasional misting of the leaves especially when the temperatures are high.
Fertilizer
Feed Smilax Asparagus Fern weekly during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer for a lush growth. Withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Smilax Asparagus Fern should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this fern.
Repotting
Repot Smilax Asparagus Fern at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes root-bound; when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.
Use a pot which is only 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil as it can result in root-rot disease and death of the fern. You may divide the large ferns during repotting to propagate new plants. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Smilax Asparagus Fern requires cutting back of the old stems to make room for new growth. Trim the dead leaves and branches to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pests and diseases infestations.
Propagation
Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from seeds, cuttings or by plant division. The easiest method of propagation is by plant division.
How to propagate Smilax Asparagus Fern by plant division
Water the Smilax Asparagus Fern thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide, to hasten establishment and to reduce plant shock.
Divide the Smilax Asparagus Fern rhizome into sections by cutting with a sharp, clean knife or a pair of scissors.
Pot the sections into individual pots in moist, free-draining potting soil.
Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth begins.
Allow the new Bridal Creeper to be well established, after which you can begin routine care.
Asparagus asparagoides Problems
Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) problems include yellowing leaves, dropping leaves, leaf spots, plant dying, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.
Leaves yellowing and dropping
There are many and varied reasons for yellowing and dropping leaves in Smilax Asparagus Fern. One reason why Bridal Creeper may turn yellow and lose leaves is too little light.
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it can receive medium to bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
The second reason for yellowing and dropping leaves in Smilax Asparagus Fern is that the soil has been allowed to dry out. Water the fern liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist through out.
Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants correctly.
The third possible cause of yellowing and dropping leaves in Bridal Creeper is too high temperatures. Maintain an average room temperature of 16-270C as constantly high temperatures can damage the fern.
Check out these 12 Reasons Why Asparagus Fern Leaves are Yellowing and Dropping (with solutions)
Plant dying
The cause for unexplained death in Smilax Asparagus Fern is root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil brought about by poor soil drainage.
Bridal Creeper has thick, tuberous roots which store water. Therefore, soggy soil will cause the roots to rot. Ensure that the soil is loose, free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
Diseases
Apart from root-rot disease, Smilax Asparagus Fern is also prone to crown-rot and stem-rot which is prevalent in overwet, poorly ventilated conditions. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is free air circulation for the plant.
Isolated the affected plant to prevent spread of the disease to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for crown-rot and stem-rot disease.
Pests
Common pests in Smilax Asparagus Fern are spider mites, aphids, mealy Bugs and whiteflies whose infestation is promoted by either overwatering or underwatering.
Keep these pests away by maintaining the soil moderately moist during the growing period and slightly moist in the cold period but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Brown leaf spots
Brown leaf spot marks in Smilax Asparagus Fern are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the fern to hot direct sunlight. Position the plant in a more shaded place, away from direct sunlight but ensure it is receiving medium to bright indirect light.
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