Asparagus falcatus, sickle asparagus
Asparagus falcatus
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Asparagus
- Species
- Asparagus falcatus
Native to the forests of South Africa and Mozambique, Asparagus falcatus belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is distinguished by its imposing size and its delicately fragrant flowers.
How can you recognize Asparagus falcatus?
Some varieties of Asparagus can be grown in a terrarium. This is not the case with Asparagus falcatus. This bushy shrub reaches two to three meters in all directions when grown in a pot. In its natural habitat, it grows over ten meters tall.
The stems become woody over time. With their cylindrical branches, they resemble those of bamboo. Grayish in color, they conceal sharp thorns.
The foliage consists of glossy cladodes, much larger than those of asparagus sprengeri and asparagus setaceus. They measure five centimeters long by five millimeters wide. Dark green in color, they are curved and have a narrow base, resembling a scythe or sickle.
This variety has hermaphroditic flowers. White or cream-colored, they give off a jasmine-like fragrance and attract pollinating insects.
The fruits, on the other hand, attract birds. They eat the red berries and disperse the black seeds.
For humans, the plant is purely ornamental. Its fruits are toxic to us and our pets. Also, be careful of the thorns when repotting or pruning your Asparagus falcatus.
Our care tips
Your Asparagus falcatus needs light. But its delicate foliage cannot withstand the strongest sunlight. Indoors, place the plant behind a window screened by a curtain. Outdoors, prefer half-shade.
Watering
Asparagus falcatus require regular watering. But it must be moderate, otherwise the roots will rot. The substrate must remain moist but never soggy.
Water your plant with soft, non-calcareous water at room temperature. Once you've finished, drain off any water that accumulates in the saucer or planter.
Water your plant with soft, non-calcareous water at room temperature. Once you've finished, drain off any water that accumulates in the saucer or planter.
Misting
The air in our apartments is too dry for plants used to high humidity. Mist your Asparagus falcatus with water at room temperature.
Rainwater is preferable to tap water. Tap water causes white spots on the foliage.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Asparagus falcatus to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Choose a pot with holes larger than the root ball. Use a plastic pot rather than a terracotta one. This material retains more moisture. Moreover, the plant develops vigorous roots. It is not uncommon for them to break clay containers. Plastic is more resistant.
Pour a layer of potting soil for green plants at the bottom of the pot. Plant your subject in the center and fill in with substrate.
Press down and water generously to remove air bubbles.
Your Asparagus falcatus doesn't like too dry an atmosphere. Place the pot on a dish filled with moist clay balls to improve humidity.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Apply green plant fertilizer once a month. Asparagus falcatus is not a very greedy variety. Halve the dose recommended by the manufacturer.
Prune
Cut back older stems to one or two centimetres from the ground to encourage new branches.
Prune branches to balance shape and maintain a compact habit.
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Choose a spot with plenty of light, but out of direct sunlight.
Dig a hole about 25 centimeters deep. Place a layer of compost at the bottom to enrich the soil. Work the soil to loosen it. If necessary, add sand.
Plant your Asparagus falcatus without burying the root collar. Fill in the hole and water to encourage root growth.
If you're creating a flower bed, space the plants 50 centimeters apart.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
When repotting, divide the plant in two or three. Remove the soil from the roots to better locate the rhizomes. Using a clean knife or serpette, cut the roots. Be careful not to cut the tubers.
Obtain a perforated pot. Fill the bottom with potting soil for green plants.
Plant your cutting and fill with substrate. Tamp and water to remove air bubbles.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubsPlanter
- Tags
- BeginnerToxic
- Origin
- South Africa
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight green
- Flower colors
- WhiteCream
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Dense-flowered asparagus
Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus sprengeri
Asparagus aethiopicus
Asparagus fern
Asparagus setaceus
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
