Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation

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Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) grows best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained 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 varieties, and bears 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 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 a True Fern, 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 perfect 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.

Is Asparagus asparagoides toxic?

Yes. 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

To care for Smilax Asparagus Fern indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 16-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained 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 liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2 inches of soil to dry a little between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf drop.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use room temperature water as consistently watering with too cold water can result in reduced growth and leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well draing to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant. In addition, always discard excess water from the catchplate to avoid soil sogginess.

Occasionally water from the bottom to ensure that the soil ball is thoroughly wetted. Take care not to wet the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Smilax Asparagus Fern prefers medium to bright indirect light; place near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunrays to prevent scorching of the leaves; brown leaf marks.

Insufficient light will cause yellowing, leggy growth and leaf drop. Therefore, if the natural light is not adequate, instal full spectrum grow lights to increase it.

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 & Humidity

Smilax Asparagus Fern thrives in a warmth of 16-27⁰C. Though it can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, extreme temperatures can result in stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Asparagus asparagoides has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. However, too low humidity especially in winter when indoor temperatures are high, can lead to brown leaf tips and edges. To up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together. Maintain good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Smilax Asparagus Fern with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer for a lush growth. Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.

Occasionally, leach out excess salts by throughly drenching the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole. Repeat the process several times to clear most of the salt.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Smilax Asparagus Fern should be rich in organic matter, airy and free-draining to prevent waterlogging. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% perlite, and 20% orchid bark is ideal for this fern.

Repotting

Repot Smilax Asparagus Fern at the beginning of the growing season, only when root-bound; when the roots begin to grow through the drainage holes.

Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole, and well-draining soil to avoid sogginess, as it can result in root-rot and death of the fern. You may divide the large ferns 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.

Smilax Asparagus Fern Propagation

Smilax Asparagus Fern (Asparagus asparagoides) is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from seeds or by plant division. The easiest method of propagation is by plant division. Learn how to propagate Asparagus Ferns in 3 easy ways.

Asparagus asparagoides Problems & Solutions

Smilax Asparagus Fern problems are yellowing and dropping leaves, plant dying, diseases and pests among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellowing and dropping leaves

Yellowing and dropping leaves on Smilax Asparagus Fern are caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress among others.

Check out these 12 Reasons Why Asparagus Fern Leaves are Yellowing and Dropping.

Plant dying

Smilax Asparagus Fern is dying due to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Trim brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant.


4. Select a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.


5. Keep the plant dry for 5-7 days before watering again.


6. Lessen watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time.

Diseases

Smilax Asparagus Fern is also prone to crown and stem-rot disease which is prevalent in overwet, poorly ventilated conditions. It is characterized by a rotting plant base, yellowing and shrivelled leaves.

The disease is difficult to treat. If it has spread, the plant cannot be saved and it should be discarded together with its pot and soil. If caught early, the disease can be treated as follows.

How to treat early infestation

1. Cut and discard or burn the diseased tissue.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Keep the soil on the drier side; withhold watering for 10-14 days.


4. Ensure the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole.


5. Maintain good airflow to discourage the disease infestation.


6. Keep the plant away from cold drafts to maintain an average warmth.

Pests

Common pests of Smilax Asparagus Fern are spider mites, aphids, mealyBugs and whiteflies which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.


2. Seperate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.


3. Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.


5. Set the plant on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity as it discourages the pests.

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