Asparagus ferns are stunning plants that you can grow as houseplants or outdoors. You can find them in various species, but most are similar. Indeed, many (if not all) asparagus ferns display a unique-looking bright green foliage with a feathery texture. You may be wondering, how to trim asparagus fern.
These perennials thrive in warm and humid climates. Usually, they don’t require much attention from your side (if you grow them in the proper environment).
Still, you’ll need to learn about their needs and how to fulfill them. And giving proper maintenance to your plant will help you keep it healthy for longer.
For instance, you might have to cut it regularly to keep it in shape. If you want to learn how to trim asparagus fern (and when is the best time to do so), keep reading. Here, we collected all the information you must have on hand when growing this plant.
Why Should You Trim Your Asparagus Fern?
Even relatively easy-to-care-for plants need some maintenance to stay healthy. And even the healthiest fern might display unattractive foliage after some time. And regular trimming can reduce the appearance of damaged or yellow fronds.
Depending on the size of your plant, you might even have to prune it once every couple of years. Doing so will encourage new growth and improve the overall looks of your fern. Indeed, trimming can help keep your plant even and prevent it from getting out of control.
Besides keeping your plant in an attractive shape, trimming it will also help reduce the risks of attacks from pests and diseases. Indeed, it will increase aeration and prevent your fronds from getting too humid, which can attract fungal infections.
Also, you can trim leaves and foliage that look unhealthy to minimize the spread of diseases and remove discoloration. But, of course, you must also get to the root cause of the issue. Understand the reason for your plant’s discoloration and take adequate measures to eliminate the problem.
When Should You Trim Your Fern?
Before getting into the best practice for trimming your asparagus fern, it is worth noting that you’ll get better results if you carry out the procedure at the right time of the year.
Ideally, trim your asparagus fern in the spring, during the active growth stage of the plant. Don’t forget to feed the plant after you cut it. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to encourage its regrow. Of course, you’ll have to follow the instructions you find on the product to avoid harming your plant. Indeed, even too much of a good thing might cause issues to your fern.
Also, consider adding a layer of mulch around your asparagus fern’s base: doing so will help minimize the risk of thermal shock. Plus, it will help your plant recover faster.
Also, you might notice that your asparagus is overgrowing its container. Under such circumstances, trimming might not be enough to solve to problem. Instead, consider dividing your plant and moving some sections to new containers. To maintain your plant healthy, you should do so every few years.
How to Trim an Asparagus Fern: All You Must Know
Luckily, trimming your asparagus fern isn’t anything out of this world. To begin with, you must get your hands on a pair of sharp scissors or shears. Remember that they must be sterile to avoid spreading infections to your fern. Additionally, their blades must be strong enough to allow you to cut your ferns cleanly without harming your plant. Don’t forget to give your pruners adequate maintenance: wash them regularly with hot water and soap and scrub them to remove debris. Doing so will allow you to enjoy your tools for longer.
You might want to wear gloves during this procedure: asparagus fern can cause skin irritation! If you have sensitive skin, don’t skip this step!
Usually, you can trim your plant as often as you need. Of course, you must keep an eye on your fern and avoid overdoing it. Indeed, cutting your plant too much might prevent it from recovering.
To trim your asparagus fern, pinch the tips of each stem. Doing so will allow you to keep your plant in an even shape. If the fern looks overgrown in some parts, consider pruning it. Avoid cutting more than one-third of your plant: it will stress it too much and fail to grow back.