Asparagus aethiopicus, Asparagus sprengeri
Asparagus aethiopicus
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Asparagus
- Species
- Ethiopian asparagus Asparagus aethiopicus
Other names:Asparagus densiflorus var. sprengeri, Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
Botanists love to give plants names that come out of nowhere. Asparagus aethiopicus (in French, “Ethiopian asparagus”) is a perfect example. This plant is native to South Africa, not Addis Ababa. And, although it belongs to the Asparagaceae family, it looks more like a fern than an asparagus. No wonder florists have renamed it! On their shelves, it's called Asparagus sprengeri or Sprenger's Asparagus.
How can you recognize Asparagus sprengeri and Asparagus aethiopicus?
Smaller than asparagus falcatus, Asparagus aethiopicus grows up to one meter tall. This perennial plant has an upright growth habit when young. Over time, its flexible stems droop.
The stems bear spiny scales at each node. They are dotted at regular intervals with cladodes. These bright green, oval-shaped cladodes measure up to two centimeters long by two millimeters wide. They grow in a rosette, usually in groups of four, along the stem.
Sprenger's Asparagus blooms in the summer. Clusters of white or pale pink flowers bloom on the stem.
If pollination occurs, the flower develops into a fruit—a green berry that turns bright red as it ripens. Inside is a black seed.
Birds love to eat the fruits of Asparagus aethiopicus. But it's best not to follow their example. The berry is toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and most pets. The plant can also cause skin allergies. Be sure to wear gloves when pruning or repotting it.
Our care tips
Your Asparagus sprengeri 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 sprengeri It likes to keep its soil moist, but not soggy. Water when the top centimeter of potting soil has dried out.
Use room-temperature, low-mineral water. You can, for example, collect rainwater.
After watering, remove any excess water that has pooled in the saucer or planter. Asparagus sprengeri hates having its roots sitting in water.
Misting
Fogging helps to increase humidity and prevent attacks by mites or red spiders. Spray foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Asparagus aethiopicus 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 sprengeri 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 sprengeri 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 sprengeri 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
- Categories
- IndoorRhizomeHerbaceousHanging plants
- Tags
- BeginnerToxic
- Origin
- South Africa
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- WhitePale pink
- Fruit color
- Red
Discover plants from the same family
Dense-flowered asparagus
Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus fern
Asparagus setaceus
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
