A wonderful gift from nature: growing and caring for asparagus at home


Various types of Asparagus have long attracted the attention of decorators, landscapers, florists and doctors. These plants are valued for their lush, vibrant greenery, which can decorate residential and public spaces, greenhouses, flower beds and even bouquets.

They are loved for their unpretentiousness and ability to easily adapt to almost any conditions , for their beneficial properties and medicinal qualities.

One of the most popular species in indoor floriculture is Asparagus pinnate, the contemplation of which, even in a photo, improves a person’s mood .

​​Description of a houseplant and its photo

The genus Asparagus includes about 300 species of perennial plants. Africa is considered its homeland; it grows naturally in India, on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, and in the Far East. The first image of the plant dates back to the 3rd century. BC. Even the ancient Egyptians grew this crop and ate it. After all, the asparagus growing in the apartment belongs to the same genus as vegetable asparagus, only to different species. Ornamental asparagus began to be grown a little over 100 years ago.

Asparagus is prized for its delicate, lush greenery.

The culture is distinguished by its species diversity: it is represented by herbaceous plants, large shrubs or vines. Characteristic features of asparagus are branched shoots, small flowers, berry-shaped fruit, and a powerful tuberous root. Most asparagus do not have green leaves; their role is played by flattened needles located in the axils of small scale-like leaves.

Ornamental asparagus belongs to the same genus as vegetable asparagus

With good care, the flower grows up to 40 cm and lives for more than 10 years.

Asparagus adapt well to living conditions; growing them at home is not at all difficult.

Four reasons to grow Asparagus pinnate at home

Various types of Asparagus have long attracted the attention of decorators, landscapers, florists and doctors. These plants are valued for their lush, vibrant greenery , which can decorate residential and public spaces, greenhouses, flower beds and even bouquets.

They are loved for their unpretentiousness and ability to easily adapt to almost any conditions , for their beneficial properties and medicinal qualities.

One of the most popular species in indoor floriculture is Asparagus pinnate, the contemplation of which, even in a photo, improves a person’s mood .

Types and names: pinnate, Mayer, Sprenger and others

Asparagus pinnately is a branching subshrub with bare shoots. The leaves are small (0.5 cm) triangular scales. Light green phyllocladia slightly curved. The flowers are white. The fruit is a black berry.

Curved light green phyllocladies of asparagus pinnate give an openwork appearance to the entire plant

Asparagus superfine is similar to pinnate, but its phyllocladies are thinner and longer, and are quite sparsely located. The length of the shoots is up to 1.5 m. It blooms with white flowers, the fruits are black.

Mayer's asparagus is a subshrub with straight stems up to 60 cm long, heavily pubescent - this feature is characteristic only of this species. Small phyllocladies grow close to each other.

Asparagus Mayer differs from other species in having highly pubescent stems.

Crescent asparagus is a vine with long thick shoots up to 15 m long. On flexible stems there are numerous sickle-shaped cladodes up to 8 cm long, with corrugated edges. The flowers are white.

Sprenger's asparagus is a herbaceous plant. Stems are bare, branched, up to 1.5 m long. Leaves are in the form of scales 2–4 mm long. Phyllocladia up to 3 cm long, straight or slightly curved. The flowers are white or light pink. The fruits are red berries.

Varieties in the photo


Asparagus officinalis contains many useful elements


Asparagus asparagus is a climbing shrub that blooms with white flowers.


The small flowers of Sprenger asparagus are very fragrant


Asparagus crescent is distinguished by crescent-shaped cladodes

Variety of asparagus on video

Reviews

Due to its unpretentiousness, asparagus is very popular among gardeners. It can be grown as a climbing plant if supported. Or place the flower in a hanging pot - then it will grow like an ampel, forming a beautiful cascade. Florists often use asparagus in flower arrangements; its fluffy branches complement roses and gerberas. In addition, it is believed that this plant cleanses space, neutralizes negative energy, and creates a feeling of peace and comfort in the home.

  • Author: Galina Morgunova
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Comfortable growing conditions

LightingMany types of asparagus prefer bright, diffused light, so it is better to place the flower on the western or eastern side, protecting it from direct sunlight, which can burn the greenery. You can also place the flower on the north side, but in low light it becomes less decorative, the shoots become very elongated, and the phyllocladies on them are sparse. In summer, you can take asparagus out to the balcony or terrace, gradually accustoming it to new conditions after winter. Place them in partial shade, protecting them from drafts.
HumidityThe plant feels comfortable in a humid microclimate. Dry air can lead to yellowing of leaves and even death of the flower. Therefore, it is necessary to spray asparagus more often. You can leave it in the bathroom overnight after a shower. In winter, the flower should not be kept near heating devices.
TemperatureThe optimal summer temperature is +20–25 degrees. Does not tolerate extreme heat well. In winter, the room should not be below +12–15°C, otherwise the plant will begin to dry out and shed its leaves.
WateringIn spring and summer, regular watering is needed, once every 3-4 days. However, the soil should not be over-watered. In winter, water less often.
FeedingAsparagus is fed weekly in spring and summer, and once a month in winter. At the same time, the soil is enriched, plant growth is enhanced, and their immunity is increased.
TransferYoung plants are replanted every year, adults - once every 2-3 years.
TrimmingShortened shoots no longer grow, but pruning stimulates the growth of new branches.
ReproductionAsparagus is propagated by seeds, cuttings, and division of rhizomes.

Asparagus prefer bright, indirect light

Botanical description

Pinnate asparagus (or Asparagus plumosus) is a perennial of the Asparagus family. Under natural conditions, this low shrub grows in Eastern and Southern Africa, so it is accustomed to tropical and subtropical climates.

You can recognize the plant by the following signs:


  1. Tuberous root with small lateral roots.

  2. Thin stems (phyllocladia) can reach 1.5 meters in length; in an adult flower they begin to branch strongly, in young ones they become erect.
  3. The leaves resemble small scales.
  4. The flowers are small and white, collected in inflorescences.
  5. The fruit is a berry, bright red in the early stages, becoming blue when ripe, poisonous.

The plant is very attractive, has an elegant, decorative appearance, therefore it is grown in city apartments and in summer cottages in southern latitudes. However, it is important to remember that because of the poisonous fruits, it should not be planted in places where the berries could accidentally fall into the mouths of children.

Planting and transplanting

Young asparagus are replanted annually, because they grow rapidly and the overgrown roots become cramped in the pots. More mature plants are replanted less frequently, every 2–3 years.

The best time to transplant is spring. The plant tolerates the procedure quite easily and grows quickly. In the fall, only transshipment is carried out.

Important! Until the asparagus roots fill the entire container, the greens will not grow. Therefore, when replanting, select a pot that is only 2–3 cm larger than the previous one.

If the asparagus is not replanted, the roots and tubers, growing, will come to the surface, the flower will begin to experience an acute deficiency of nutrients and moisture, which will negatively affect its appearance. In addition, by carefully examining the plant during transplantation, you can detect diseases in time and take urgent action.

  1. Before transplanting, pour a ball of earth and take the flower out of the pot.
  2. Inspect the root system, remove old and dried branches, trim too long or rotten roots, which promotes the growth of young shoots. Carefully separate the nodules.
  3. Prepare nutritious loose soil.
  4. Choose a slightly larger pot
  5. Place drainage on the bottom and sprinkle with earth.
  6. The roots of the renewed asparagus are placed in a container and covered with new soil, no higher than the previous level.
  7. After planting, lightly moisten the soil and observe the flower for the first time.

When transplanting, carefully inspect the root system

After transplantation, the asparagus experiences stress and will need some time to get used to the new conditions. If the flower begins to dry out, it should be placed for 5–7 days in a dimly lit place, without watering or fertilizing. Then gradually move on to the correct content.

Transplant rules - video

The newly purchased plant also needs to be replanted in new soil. Be sure to wash the crown with warm water to wash off the substance that is used to treat the plant for greater preservation. Otherwise, very soon the asparagus may crumble and lose its decorative effect.

Beneficial features

Among summer residents and gardeners, the perennial is known for its beneficial qualities, so it is often added to vegetable salads as greens. When describing asparagus, a high content of nutrients and vitamins is noted. This indicator even surpasses agave, aloe, and Kalanchoe.

Known for its unique medicinal properties, asparagus is often used in traditional medicine, helping with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, digestive organs, and urination. This is a good product for making decoctions for diabetes, gout, skin and other diseases. People have long believed that asparagus cleanses negative energy, is able to calm people with too much activity, relieve tension and help when conflict situations arise in the family.

REMEMBER

Asparagus has beneficial properties, not to be confused with indoor asparagus

Home care

Tender-looking asparagus are very unpretentious. There are only a few nuances in caring for the plant.

When choosing a place for your green pet, you must take into account that not only dry and hot air is harmful to it, but also a draft.

Asparagus prefers space, so it should not be placed close to other house flowers.

Watering

Asparagus is moisture-loving. In spring and summer, once every 3-4 days, when the top layer of soil dries out, it is watered with warm water. To create a humid microclimate, place a container of water next to it or place the pot in a tray with wet expanded clay.

In winter, watering is reduced. The flower loves daily spraying, not only in summer, but also in winter. Once a week, asparagus can be given a warm shower.

After watering, be sure to loosen the soil, thereby ensuring air access to the roots.

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Asparagus tubers absorb and accumulate moisture well, so the plant does not suffer during short-term drought.

Feeding

Asparagus is responsive to fertilization. In spring and summer they are applied every week, in winter - once a month. During the period of active development, fertilizing with complex fertilizers is useful. To brighten the crowns, spray the branches with a solution of the growth stimulator Bud (1 g per 1 l). It is useful to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones. The rapid growth of shoots is also facilitated by the introduction of liquid bird droppings.

Nitrogen fertilizers are applied only in spring and summer. Applying nitrogen at other times of the year will make it more difficult for the plant to enter dormancy.

Mineral fertilizers in liquid form are better absorbed by plants

Fertilizer should be applied only to moist soil, after watering.

Caring for asparagus - video

Bloom

Indoor asparagus blooms very rarely, and only 8–10 years after planting, in the spring. Its flowers are modest, white with a delicate aroma.

The bright pink flowers of asparagus racemosus are very fragrant

Rest period

From October to March the plant is in a kind of hibernation. Reduce watering to once a week and fertilization to once a month. You can move the plant to a cooler room, where the temperature should not fall below 12˚C.

Trimming

Asparagus grows very quickly, often the shoots “go bald” and the plant takes on an unkempt appearance. In this case, at the beginning of spring, old or yellowed branches are pruned. The docked shoots no longer grow, but new ones are actively beginning to appear.

You can decorate asparagus beautifully using pruning.

Decorative properties

Why is the asparagus indoor plant best suited for decorating winter gardens, offices, study rooms, as well as for hanging compositions? The answer is simple: its climbing stems stretch down in a beautiful waterfall, which creates an unforgettable effect, especially if you use a hanging basket. Note that growth can be adjusted, that is, if there is too much branching, you just need to trim the shoots.

Indoor species of this perennial are characterized by strong branching of the stems. The cladodes, which are located in the leaf axils, are strewn with needles, and the leaves themselves are small in size and resemble scales. Landscape designers often combine garden asparagus with thuja, lemon or money trees, so when landscaping terraces, flower beds and courtyards, a choice is made in its favor. By the way, you can also use the tuber to decorate flower bouquets or make beautiful ikebana.

Diseases and pests

In a comfortable environment, asparagus rarely gets sick. But it can become infected from other plants or react painfully to violations of the watering or lighting regime.

Pest/diseaseSymptomsPreventionTreatment
Root rotFungal spores dissipate only in a humid environment. The leaves are withering. The roots become soft and rotten. Carry out proper watering, avoid stagnation of water. When planting and replanting, use Glyokladin for preventive purposes (3 tablets are carefully stuck into the root part of the plant). Treated with the biological product Fitosporin.
ShchitovkaIt sucks the juice out of the plant, depletes it and causes it to turn yellow.Periodically inspect plants for the presence of parasites.Remove scale insects manually. Treat with Actellik (2 ml per 1 l).
Spider miteThe plant turns yellow and dries out.The pest loves dry air and heat; for prevention purposes, it is necessary to regularly irrigate the crown with warm water.Treat with a solution of laundry soap, being careful not to get it on the ground, with garlic infusion (20 g of peel per 1 liter, leave for 5 hours). Spray with Fitoverm (5 ml per 0.6 l).
ChervetsWhite lumps similar to cotton wool appear on the surface of the leaves. Sucking insects retard plant growth and cause leaves to turn yellow and dry out. Maintain high air humidity - it inhibits the development of parasite colonies.Clean the plant with a cotton swab dipped in soapy water, then spray with garlic infusion. After 7 days, spraying is repeated. Use Tanrek (1.5 ml per 5 liters for spraying).
AphidA small insect sucks the juices out of the plant, the leaves wither, the shoots dry out.Regularly inspect the flower garden for the presence of parasitic insects. Monitor the temperature and ventilate the room.If the number of parasites is small, they are collected manually and destroyed. Treat with celandine infusion (150 g of dry grass, pour 1 liter of hot water, leave for 24 hours) three times with an interval of 7 days. Spray with insecticides (Fitoverm - 5 ml per 0.6 l, Intavir - 1 tablet per 10 l), cover the plant with film for several hours. After 7–10 days, re-treatment is carried out.

Important! Asparagus does not tolerate chemical treatments well, so biological products with a more gentle effect should be used.

Diseases and pests - photo gallery


The main sign of mite infestation is the appearance of a cobweb enveloping the plant.


Aphids suck juices from plants


The settlement of scale insects on asparagus stems causes harm to the plant


One of the reasons for asparagus shedding is root rot.


A plant affected by a mealybug becomes covered with a white downy coating.

How to revive asparagus

If you keep a flower in uncomfortable conditions, problems may arise: the asparagus leaves turn yellow and crumble, and the bush becomes less decorative. This is how the plant reacts to a change in location, to too low a temperature or extreme heat, to improper watering and lighting, dry air and nearby flowers. It can be revived if the causes of the illness are eliminated.

  • If the cladodes fall off, it means that watering is irregular or the conditions have changed dramatically.
  • Burning or darkening of the edges of the leaves can be caused by too much sun or drying out of the soil.
  • Weak elongated shoots that quickly turn yellow and die, sparse phyllocladies are a signal that the plant does not have enough light.
  • Growing in too small a pot can also lead to yellowing and lethargy of the flower.

If the asparagus begins to turn sharply yellow and crumble, you can revive it. Cut off all the stems completely at the root, water it thoroughly, take it out of the pot and carefully inspect it. Dried and rotten areas are removed, leaving only light nodules. If they want to propagate a plant, the root system is divided. Plants are planted in completely renewed nutritious loose soil and watered well. New growth will soon appear.

Yellowed asparagus can be revived

In a favorable environment, the flower will grow healthy and delight you with its airy greenery for many years.

Peculiarities

An interesting plant for indoor gardening and for bouquet arrangements. In winter it should be kept at a temperature of +15 °C. Grows well in a warm room, protected from direct sunlight. Pinnate asparagus is moisture-loving; it is advisable to spray the plants, since asparagus does not like dry air. For the first two years, the plants are kept without support, then it is necessary to install a trellis to support the plant. Regular care: watering, removing yellowed shoots, etc. In soil culture, asparagus is grown in a mixture of loose turf, leaf, peat soil and sand (1: 1: 1: 0.5). In the hydroponic growing method, asparagus is kept on an expanded clay substrate. When grown on ionite “soil” (ionite resin mixed with crushed expanded clay), asparagus grows magnificently in any containers, without requiring replanting or transshipment for two to three years. Cut asparagus shoots are used for compositions, bouquets, kept in hanging vases, etc.

Reproduction

Asparagus is propagated by seeds, division of rhizomes and cuttings.

Seeds are usually sown after harvest (January - March).

Asparagus seeds are sown immediately after harvest.

  1. They are pre-treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and soaked in warm water for 2 days.
  2. Then they are placed in a damp cloth and left for 5 days until they hatch.
  3. Sprouted seeds are placed in moist soil made of sand and peat (1:1), covered with film and placed in a warm place (+.22 ° C).
  4. Regularly spray the soil with settled water, ventilate and remove any condensation that has formed.
  5. After 25–30 days, shoots will appear.
  6. When the thin seedlings grow to 7–10 cm, they are dropped into separate cups.
  7. At the beginning of summer, they are transplanted into pots with drainage and nutrient substrate.

Thin shoots will grow from seeds in a month

Asparagus from seeds - video

A simple method of propagation is by dividing the bushes.

  1. Well moisturize the earthen ball.
  2. The soaked roots are straightened and trimmed a little.
  3. Divide the plant into several independent seedlings.
  4. Each part is planted in a separate pot with fertile soil.

Dividing into separate parts is often painful for asparagus. The plant needs time to survive a stressful situation.

Propagation by cuttings is carried out in early spring.

  1. The shoots are cut into cuttings 8–12 cm long.
  2. Root in wet sand.
  3. Cover the container with film and place in a warm place (+20–22°C).
  4. Regularly moisten and ventilate the greenhouse.
  5. Rooting occurs within 4–6 weeks.
  6. Stronger plants with young leaves are transplanted to a permanent place.

Propagation by stem cuttings is carried out in early spring

Garden varieties

Garden varieties of asparagus grow in open ground. They can be planted in dachas, vegetable gardens, greenhouses, and botanical gardens. They calmly tolerate minor temperature changes, cold snaps and drought. They grow in turf, leaf soil or black soil. They respond well to additional feeding. Read more about growing asparagus in the article.

The main garden subspecies include:

Medicinal asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial dioecious herbaceous plant. It reaches a height of no more than 1.5 m. It has straight branched stems that are covered with graceful cladodes. The stems bend greatly under their own weight. The leaves are elongated and scaly. The flowers are amber-white, growing on elongated stalks.

White asparagus (Asparagus L.) is a branched, frost-resistant perennial. It is a source of medicinal raw materials. Used in cooking. Contains essential oils, vitamins and microelements. The plant reaches a height of 1.5-2 m. It has a large number of needle-like processes. It has a powerful root system that forms growth buds.

Green asparagus is a highly branched perennial. Has a powerful root system. It has miniature, underdeveloped leaves. The flowers are small, of both sexes. After flowering, oval blue-black berries are formed. The sprouts of this representative of the flora are used in cooking. They contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and microelements. Harvest occurs in May-June.

See below: asparagus photo

White asparagus

Medicinal asparagus

Green asparagus

Important! Garden plants should not be planted near groundwater. Choose a place for planting that is well-lit and windless. Asparagus is a perennial plant.

There are more than 300 different subspecies. Can become an original decoration for flower arrangements. Loved by florists for their thin, graceful cladodes. Responds well to fertilizing. Easily tolerates drought and minor temperature fluctuations. It has become widespread throughout the world. You can read about the benefits and harms of asparagus - asparagus in the article on our website

Asparagus is a perennial plant. There are more than 300 different subspecies. Can become an original decoration for flower arrangements. Loved by florists for their thin, graceful cladodes. Responds well to fertilizing. Easily tolerates drought and minor temperature fluctuations. It has become widespread throughout the world. You can read about the benefits and harms of asparagus - asparagus in the article on our website.

Our website contains a lot of materials for gardeners, summer residents and gardeners. We explain in an accessible and understandable way about the types, as well as methods of planting, growing, and caring for plants and vegetables. You can read the following articles:

  • Growing white and officinalis asparagus.
  • Description and photo of Sprenger, crescent, Meyer and pinnate asparagus.
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