Asparagus fern is not a true fern. NCSU, Wisconsin Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UGA, and Arkansas Extension put it in Asparagaceae. The fine green sprays are cladodes, not fern fronds.
The plant sold as lace or plumosa fern is Asparagus setaceus, still labeled Asparagus plumosus in older sheets. Sprengeri types appear as Asparagus densiflorus or, on UF/IFAS FP051, Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’ with densiflorus Sprengeri as a misapplied name. Foxtail Myersii stays in the same group with an upright habit. Same URL. Boston fern and staghorn fern are different plants.
Iowa State's houseplant table marks Asparagus densiflorus for division only. Wisconsin, NCSU setaceus, UF/IFAS, TAMU, RHS, and Arkansas name division and seed. Cuttings are thin: UF/IFAS FP051 names them for Sprengeri. Arkansas marks terminal cuttings no. Iowa marks no stem cutting. No opened extension gives a cutting length or weeks. Cuttings are not a method H2 here.
Indoor only. Florida landscape spacing stays off.
For a drained mix, see soil propagation.
Division
Iowa: Asparagus densiflorus is marked for division. Early spring through summer is the best window for most houseplants. Iowa's division how-to lists densiflorus: early spring is ideal. Each piece needs healthy leaves, stems, and roots. Wait a few weeks before fertilizing.
Wisconsin densiflorus: spring is best, but these plants can be divided almost any time. Separate into smaller pieces. The tubers regenerate plants.
RHS setaceus: divide in early spring. UF/IFAS FP051: division of the root ball. UF/IFAS FP052 Myersii: division of the tubers. TAMU Sprengeri: division and seed. Arkansas: division yes.
Arkansas general division timing is late winter or early summer. Do not average that with Wisconsin spring or RHS early spring.
No opened extension gives a piece count or weeks-to-root for asparagus fern division.
Seed
Wisconsin densiflorus: soak seed overnight. Germinates in 3 to 4 weeks at room temperature. Berries up to 1/4 inch. Each contains one to three black seeds.
UF/IFAS FP051 Sprengeri: berries contain 1 or 2 black hard seeds. Germinate in 4 to 6 weeks.
RHS setaceus: sow in autumn or early spring. Germinate at 16 °C (61 °F).
UGA: asparagus ferns may be easily grown from seed. Arkansas: seed is best for Fern Asparagus. Iowa: houseplant seed is generally impractical indoors because houseplants rarely flower and pollinate indoors.
Do not average Wisconsin 3 to 4 weeks with UF 4 to 6 weeks. Do not average 1 to 2 seeds per berry with Wisconsin 1 to 3.
Common mistakes
- Treating this as Boston fern or staghorn fern.
- A cuttings H2. UF FP051 names cuttings. Arkansas and Iowa do not support stem cuttings. No length or weeks exist.
- Averaging Wisconsin 3 to 4 week germination with UF 4 to 6 weeks.
- Averaging Wisconsin spring division with Arkansas late winter or early summer.
- Landscape spacing from UF fact sheets as the indoor how-to.
Same URL for asparagus fern, lace fern, plumosa, and Sprengeri / foxtail types sold under that name.
People also ask
Is it a real fern?
No. Extensions place it with asparagus, not with true ferns. It makes flowers and berries, not spores.
Can I root cuttings?
UF/IFAS FP051 names cuttings for Sprengeri and gives no procedure. Arkansas marks terminal cuttings no. Iowa marks no stem cutting. Not a home recipe here.
How long until seed sprouts?
Wisconsin densiflorus: 3 to 4 weeks after an overnight soak. UF FP051: 4 to 6 weeks. RHS setaceus: 16 °C (61 °F), no week count. Not one number.