How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Foxtail Ferns

If foxes were green, you can bet this is what their tails would look like. Similar to the animal, foxtail fern fronds are long, lush, and look soft enough to cuddle. The tails, also called spears or stems, are cylindric shapes that rise and twist from the ground.

Don’t be fooled by the plush and delicate aesthetic though. These plants are tough and dominating.

Foxtail ferns are low-maintenance because they’re good at taking care of themselves. It’s all thanks to their tuberous taproots. It easily conquers other, weaker-rooted plants underground. The taproots also store water in preparation for the occasional drought.

Use a foxtail plant to add texture to your landscape or life to your home’s interior. Foxtail ferns are even used in floral arrangements, thanks to their long lifespan after being cut. No matter what you grow it for, follow these tips to help this vivacious plant thrive.

Overview

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Genus: Asparagus
• Species: Asparagus densiflorus
• Native Area: Southern Africa
• Exposure: Partial to full shade
• Height: 2-3′
• Watering Requirements: Low to Moderate
• Pests & Diseases: Scale insects, mealybugs, root rot
• Maintenance: Low
• Soil Type: Well-draining

What are Foxtail Ferns?

It may surprise you to learn that the foxtail fern isn’t a fern at all. It’s actually a member of the asparagus family and reproduces by seed, not spores. The fern reference likely comes from the clumpy way this plant grows, which resembles a fern.

At one point it was classified as a member of the lily family, but it has been since reassigned and is no longer part of the lily family.

Also called Myers ferns or asparagus ferns (along with Asparagus setaceus), these beauties produce tiny white flowers in the spring. By fall, the blooms grow inedible yet eye-catching red berries. The flowers also attract butterflies and bees.

A perennial, the foxtail fern grows to about three feet tall and wide. Because it comes from warm South Africa, it’s only evergreen in climates with mild winters.

If you live in zones 9-11, you’re one of the lucky ones who can grow it outdoors year-round. However, don’t worry if you live in a cold place, as foxtail ferns grow just fine indoors.

Characteristics

Asparagus densiflorus is what most think of as foxtail fern. This is the plant we’re focusing on, which is characterized by thick, upright stems. It mainly goes by the names foxtail fern, asparagus fern, or Myers fern. Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’ is a popular cultivar.

Asparagus aethiopicus is a slightly different species often confused with Myers fern. Like Myers, Sprenger’s asparagus is referred to as asparagus fern and sometimes foxtail fern. No wonder people are confused!

Also called asparagus grass, the Sprenger’s asparagus stems droop downward instead of sticking up, making them a fun choice for hanging baskets. It is not the same species but comes from the same part of the asparagus family.

Its care is similar to A. densiflorus, but it’s no longer considered part of the same species. The plant produces the same red berries and white flowers as its relative does. It’s an excellent choice to pair with your other foxtail fern plants to create layered beds.

Planting

Planting Asparagus densiflorus in containers is an excellent option for those living in regions with colder climates, as this plant does not handle cold well.

Start by choosing a pot that has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix, such as a combination of peat moss, perlite, and compost. Add more drainage material if you plan on keeping your fern indoors. Plant at the same depth it was in its previous pot and water thoroughly.

For those in USDA zones 9-11, planting asparagus fern outdoors is an option. Select a location in partial shade, as too much direct sunlight can scorch the foliage. Prepare the soil by incorporating organic matter (like compost) to improve drainage and fertility.

Plant the fern with the crown level with the soil surface. Space multiple plants about 18 inches apart to make space for their spreading growth habit.

Water newly planted ferns regularly to help them establish, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Foxtail fern can become aggressive in some areas, so monitor its growth and remove any unwanted runners.

How to Grow

As mentioned, the foxtail fern is pretty easy to care for. Once you understand their basic needs, I doubt you’ll have any problems.

Light

Asparagus ferns prefer partial sun to full shade. They can handle full sun in the morning when the light is gentle, but not the direct heat of the afternoon. Excessive sunlight will scorch the leaves, causing them to turn yellow.

When growing indoors, give it bright but indirect light. If it doesn’t get enough light, your foxtail fern may turn yellow.

Water

Because the taproot stores water, foxtail ferns need to be watered like a mild succulent. You should let the top three inches of the soil dry out before watering again, but no more.

Depending on the climate, you’ll likely water at least once a week. Foxtail ferns can handle the occasional drought, but this shouldn’t be a regular thing.

Water your foxtail fern deeply, which encourages the roots to grow downwards as they chase the water. Be wary of overwatering, which is an easy threat to this plant. The soil should be moist but not soaked.

Soil

Foxtail fern isn’t too picky when it comes to soil. Well-draining soil is required to prevent the plants from growing in standing water. Otherwise, it is tolerant of most soil types. Slightly acidic soil is preferred, but this plant is not fussy.

Temperature & Humidity

The ideal temperature is 65-70°F. However, Asparagus densiflorus can tolerate lower temperatures as long as they remain above freezing.

Foxtail ferns experience damage when exposed to temperatures below 25°F and should be brought inside in the winter. In some cases, mature foxtails have been known to survive the occasional frost, but it’s best to keep them protected.

If your asparagus fern lives indoors, it will benefit from extra humidity. You can do this by placing the container on top of a tray filled with rocks and water, or by using a humidifier.

Fertilizer

Your foxtail ferns will appreciate fertilizer during the growing season.

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer at the beginning of spring, summer, and fall to provide plenty of nutrients. Alternately, apply a half-strength liquid fertilizer once per month throughout the growing season.

If you have compost available, use it as mulch or mix it in at the time of planting. Your plants will enjoy the added organic material.

Maintenance

Asparagus ferns get pretty large, so you may need to repot if you’re growing them in containers. Increase the container size slowly each time you repot, as too much soil around the root system can retain unneeded water.

If the plant becomes rootbound, roots might start growing up out of the soil. You need to either size up the pot or divide the plant to make it smaller.

As long as you give your foxtail ferns enough space, pruning isn’t necessary. However, cleaning it up once or twice a year can boost its health and growth. Simply clip off any foliage that’s dead, dying, or unappealing.

Sometimes, foxtail ferns grow so dense that the new, lower growth is smothered. You can leave it like this if you’d like. Alternately, prune the oldest stems so new growth can replace them.

Propagation

Division is how you’ll propagate your foxtail fern. This process is easy and fast to do.

Remove the entire plant, soil and all. Dust off any loose soil that the root system isn’t clinging to. Then, with the plant laying on its side, cut the root mass with a clean knife. You can divide it into more than two pieces as long as each segment has multiple leaves and it doesn’t cause too much root damage. Place them in their new and separate containers, using fresh potting soil.

If your plant is in the ground and rather large, you don’t have to dig it out to divide it. Using a sharp-tipped spade, slice through the center of the plant. Loosen the soil around the portion you want to remove, then gently extract it from the ground. You may have to sever the roots further in order to fully separate the section.

Once you have the divided section out of the ground, clean it up by removing dirt, debris, and dead or rotten roots. If it’s too large for the area you’re planting it in, you may be able to divide it a second time and get two new plants.

After dividing and replanting, care for your “new” foxtail as usual. It will take a few years for the new plant to really establish itself, so don’t move it or change its pot for a while.

Common Problems

Very few gardeners report pest or disease problems with foxtail ferns. As long as you remove dead growth and clean up debris around the plant, you’re on track for good plant health, but these are some of the minor concerns to look out for.

Aggressive Spread

The tuberous root system of this plant is extensive and strong. If planted too close to other plants, especially those with weak roots, the foxtail fern will take over. Keep it at least a few feet away from other plants, especially small ones.

Brown Leaves

If your foxtail fern plant is browning or dropping leaves, there are two common causes: too much light or not enough water. Remedy this by moving your plant’s location or adjusting your watering frequency.

Pests

In the few cases where pests bother foxtail fern plants, it’s usually scale insects. These appear as ugly little lumps attached to the leaves or stem of the plant.

Mealybugs l feed on the plant’s sap, which will eventually kill it. Most plants show initial signs of infestation with discoloring or droopiness.

Neem oil is an excellent organic insect repellant. If you only see a few insects on the plant, a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can be used to remove them individually.

Diseases

Like a succulent, a foxtail fern’s root stores water for potential droughts. Unfortunately, this makes it vulnerable to fungal root rot if overwatered. Prevent overwatering by frequently checking that the soil is draining well and mostly drying out between waterings.

If the roots are already rotting, you’ll have to dig up the plant and cut off the diseased tubers. Otherwise, they become a breeding ground for rot that can spread to the rest of the roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the stems of my foxtail fern turning brown?

A: It’s normal for old stems to turn brown as they die. If more than a third of the plant is turning brown though, it likely needs water. While not all of the foliage will revive after a period of drought stress, most of it will.

Q: Are the red berries on foxtail ferns poisonous?

A: For cats and dogs, yes. For humans, they cause mild distress such as gastrointestinal problems. The sap of the plant may also cause skin irritation to people with sensitive skin.

Q: Can foxtail ferns grow in full sun?

A. Foxtail ferns tend to have problems in full sun conditions. They can begin to yellow and suffer sunburn easily. Partial shade conditions are best, especially if the only direct sun exposure is in the early morning. Avoid the blistering heat of the summer sun by planting your ferns in a location with full shade in the afternoon.

Final Thoughts

Foxtail ferns are great textural additions to container gardens. They also make wonderful indoor plants if you don’t have the right outdoor space. These tips will help you keep yours green and lush year-round.