By the name, we think of them to be ferns, but they actually belong to the Lily family. Asparagus ferns are bright green in color and can add texture to your home garden. These are ornamental plants that do not have typical leaves. The leaves are sharp and pointy. The mature plants can become thick and woody. They are trimmed once every three years and give your garden a very nice appearance.
Unlike typical ferns, they can produce tiny white flowers and small red berries on the top of the leaves. They can also be used as houseplants. In ancient times, they were also used to treat heart diseases. They grow best in humid climates but are very adaptive in nature. The best time to fertilize these is after the fall season when the damaged foliage has been removed. Fertilizers rich in phosphate and potassium are used for healthy growth. Due to insufficient nutrients, they might die. We will discuss some of these reasons below and how we can keep them alive and healthy.
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Asparagus Fern Dying & Changing Colors
The asparagus ferns grow best in moist, humid climates, typically the rainforests. They are adaptive in nature but need all the nutrients for their growth. These ferns start drying up and die when not enough food is being provided to them. The soil naturally has very little nutrients for the plants to grow completely. Different types of fertilizers are required, which aid plant growth. The best fertilizers for asparagus ferns are the ones that have high levels of phosphate and potassium in them. These help in the overall growth and strength of the plant.
Overwatering and underwatering both can have a bad effect on the plant. In the case of these ferns, they should be watered twice a week if planted in the garden. And if placed inside as houseplants, constant watering is necessary for them. Moisture meters can be used before watering to know about the soil. Similarly, an adequate amount of light is required by the plants. Direct sunlight for a few hours is important for the asparagus ferns to carry out functions.
What to do?
To prevent the ferns from dying, sufficient amounts of water, light, and nutrients should be provided to them. These are essential for the plant to grow. They make the roots healthy, helping them absorb nutrients, providing energy to the plants. They even help the plants to fight against pest attacks and many other diseases. The right amount of nutrients can make the plant healthy and strong and prevent it from drying up.
How to keep them alive?
Asparagus ferns can be kept healthy and alive by trimming them more often and providing the essential nutrients. The temperature should be measured before keeping them out in the sun for long days. Clean water should be used for watering the ferns. The garden smear used for cutting should be cleaned properly not to damage the healthy leaves. The beds should be prepared before the fertilization process.
Change in Color
The asparagus ferns have fresh green color leaves. They change their color due to many factors. It can also be a sign of stress by the plants. If the plant is not watered enough, then plant becomes dry and brown in color. The roots do not get enough oxygen, making the stalk weak; hence, the plant becomes crispy, and the leaves start falling off.
When the color changes from green to yellow, this is the total opposite of them turning brown. When the asparagus fern gets over sufficient water and insufficient light, this makes them yellow. The excess water inhibits the roots from getting the required oxygen level, causing extreme damage to the plant.
The asparagus fern turns into white color when exposed to the sun directly. They might be indoors, planted in pots, and not used to intense heat. When these are exposed to the sun directly, it can cause sunburn, damaging the plant. In this case, the plant should be exposed slightly in the beginning for a few days to adapt and get used to the heat.
Drooping
The drooping in the asparagus ferns might be an indication that they need more water. The stems tend to become weak and dry. The right amount of water is important to give them the strength and carry out vital functions in the plant body. To determine the soil's moisture level before watering the ferns, a moisture meter can be used. This can help you prevent overwatering too.
FAQs
How to save a dying asparagus fern?
Does asparagus fern-like sun or shade?
How to revive a yellow asparagus fern?
Conclusion
The asparagus ferns are ornamental plants. They can be used in your gardens but require a little maintenance. If not given the right amount of nutrients, they can damage the roots, which results in color change, and the ferns become dry. The branches can tend to get weak and droopy and look dead. To keep them healthy and alive, they should be trimmed and fertilized at the respective times of the season.
