I’ve loved these tough yet attractive plants ever since I saw a small one in a hanging pot in a greenhouse at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden many, many moons ago. This is all I’ve learned about growing Foxtail Fern plants in two different climate zones.
As it ages, the stems get a bizarrely delightful, twisting form and it reminds me of Medusa’s serpent-filled head. This sculptural, feathery plant has an edgy feel and definitely isn’t delicate so no need to tiptoe around one.
This evergreen perennial (which is not a true fern by the way) is easy on the eyes and easy when it comes to maintenance.
Botanical Name: Asparagus densiflorus “Meyersii” Common Name: Foxtail Fern, Myers Fern (sometimes seen as Asparagus Foxtail Fern or Foxtail Asparagus Fern)
The foxtail fern, also known by its botanical name Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’, is a popular ornamental plant prized for its graceful, plumed foliage While relatively low-maintenance, proper pruning is key to keeping your foxtail fern healthy and looking its best
In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through when how, and how much to prune your foxtail fern to encourage lush, vibrant growth.
When is the Best Time to Prune a Foxtail Fern?
Timing is everything when it comes to pruning your foxtail fern. Here are the optimal seasons:
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Early spring – This is the prime time to prune your foxtail fern for rejuvenation before new growth emerges. Pruning in early spring allows the plant time to recover and produce full, lush foliage for the growing season ahead.
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Late summer – Pruning in late summer into early fall provides an excellent opportunity for general maintenance shaping and size control. This positions your fern for optimum health and appearance going into cooler weather and dormancy.
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Avoid winter – It’s best not to prune foxtail ferns during winter dormancy. Pruning during this low-growth period can stress the plant.
What are Signs It’s Time to Prune Your Foxtail Fern?
Watch for these visual cues that it’s time to prune:
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Yellow or brown fronds – Prune off any fronds that are yellowed, browned or show other signs of damage, disease or aging.
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Overcrowded growth – Prune congested areas to open up interior areas and improve air circulation.
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Leggy appearance – Foxtail ferns can get lanky with long, sparse stems. Prune these back to about halfway to encourage bushier regrowth.
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Seasonal signals – Let spring growth and late summer pre-dormancy periods guide scheduled pruning.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Your Foxtail Fern
Follow these tips for successful foxtail fern pruning:
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Use clean, sterilized, sharp pruning shears or scissors. Make cuts just above leaf nodes.
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Remove entire fronds by cutting them off at the base when they are damaged or discolored.
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Shorten lanky, leggy stems back by about halfway to promote fuller growth.
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Selectively thin out overcrowded areas by cutting away older inner stems to open up interior.
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Trim perimeter stems as needed to shape and contain size.
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Prune conservatively, taking off no more than 1/3 of foliage at one time to avoid shock.
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Make cuts just above leaf nodes at a 45 degree angle.
Common Foxtail Fern Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these common pitfalls:
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Overpruning – Removing too much foliage at once can shock the plant. Stick to taking off only 1/3 or less of foliage in one pruning session.
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Bad timing – Pruning during dormancy adds stress. Prune in early spring or late summer only.
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Cutting stems too short – Leave some stem length to allow for regrowth. Don’t prune stems to less than halfway.
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Unsterilized tools – Use clean, disinfected tools to prevent introducing diseases.
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Forgetting aftercare – Proper water, light, humidity and fertilization after pruning are vital.
Caring for Your Foxtail Fern After Pruning
Proper aftercare is crucial to support recovery after pruning:
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Water thoroughly after pruning and maintain evenly moist soil. Avoid overwatering.
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Mist leaves daily to boost humidity around the plant.
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Situate in bright, indirect sunlight, avoiding direct sun exposure.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the active growing season.
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Monitor for signs of stress like drooping leaves or lackluster growth.
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Be patient! Full recovery takes 4-8 weeks. Proper aftercare will ensure your foxtail fern bounces back better than ever.
When to Prune Foxtail Fern: Quick Summary
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For rejuvenation, prune in early spring before new growth starts.
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For maintenance, prune in late summer before dormancy.
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Avoid pruning during winter dormancy.
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Remove yellow, brown, damaged, congested and leggy growth.
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Prune conservatively, taking off only 1/3 or less of foliage at one time.
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Provide ample water, fertilizer, humidity and bright indirect light after pruning.
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Recovery takes 4-8 weeks – be patient!
By mastering how much and when to strategically prune your foxtail fern, you can maintain its signature graceful, full form and encourage lush new growth. With the right technique and aftercare, pruning will keep your foxtail fern thriving for years to come.
Foxtail Fern Water Requirements
This plant isn’t considered to be drought tolerant but neither do they require huge amounts of water. They have a tuberous root system that stores water so be sure not to keep them too wet as this will lead to root rot.
Foxtail Fern plants prefer regular watering whether growing in the ground or in a container. The top few inches of soil can actually dry out between waterings. Yours may require a little extra water during the active growing season to keep it looking lush and full depending on what’s going on summer rain and heat wise.
In Tucson, I drip irrigate my Foxtails three times a week in the hot months. In Santa Barbara, it was once every ten days. I lived seven blocks from the beach so the fog helped with that.
They’re tolerant in regards to this and grow in a variety of soil types. They’re said to grow best in slightly acidic soil.
However, the soil in my yards in Santa Barbara and Tucson was not and is not on the acidic side and my Foxtail Ferns are doing just fine. Plants can be that way, sometimes they stretch the limits.
You want the soil mix to have good drainage, and mix in some organic matter to up the ante on the richness.
Shrubs are the backbone of any garden, here’s How To Successfully Plant Shrubs. Here I am dividing a 5-gallon Foxtail Fern in my Tucson garden. You can see all the tubers & how tight the root system is. Yes, this is 1 tough plant. I used my pruning saw to divide it!
A mature plant has quite a tough and extensive root ball so this can be a challenge. I tell you this from experience and you can see by looking at the above photo!
You may never have to transplant one growing in the ground. As a container plant, yours may need a new pot larger in size to accommodate the root ball as it grows and spreads.
I did a post on Dividing and Planting a Foxtail Fern which gives you an idea of what I did.
I never fertilizer mine. I plant them with nice, rich organic compost and top dress them with the same every couple of years or as need be.
If you feel the need to feed your Foxtail something other than or in addition to compost, consider using something like liquid kelp or an all-purpose fertilizer.
My Felcos aren’t well acquainted with this plant because it rarely needs pruning, maybe once a year. As it’s grown I’ve had to trim a few stems off the walkway but that’s about it. When you prune yours, be sure to cut the stems off all the way to the base.
This plant grows so densely that the older growth will sometimes crowd out and smother the undergrowth, which eventually turns brown. I prune that out too.
I do like to occasionally cut off a few stems to use in flower arrangements as I like the look and they make for long-lasting greenery. Foxtail Ferns in a sidewalk strip across from the Pacific Ocean in front of the
A word of warning: they have needle-like leaves, along with small thorns on the stems, that can cause skin irritation. Be careful when working with this plant.
You can propagate a Foxtail Fern plant from seed which comes from the red berries it produces. This takes way too long for impatient me and so it’s a method I’ve never tried before.
Dividing this plant is by far the fastest way to do it. I had one growing in a mixed container planting for a client, back in my professional gardening days. I noticed after a couple of years that the few impatiens plants I had planted that season weren’t doing well at all.
It turns out that the Foxtail Fern’s extensive root system, with all of its tubers attached, had completely taken over the pot and was actually wrapping around itself. The plant looked fine but the impatiens with their finer, much less competitive roots were losing the battle.
What I did will give you an idea of how tough this plant is. I wanted to save my client’s pot so it was a bit of a struggle to get the fern out. Even after I completely pried it away from the sides, the bottom wasn’t budging at all. I finally got it out and ended up sawing it into three new plants.
My client now has three Foxtail Fern Ferns in her garden which were all doing fine and growing like crazy the last time I saw them. Those tuberous roots are stubborn but boy are they resilient!
I divided my Foxtail Fern into 2 plants here in Tucson. This is how I did the Dividing & Planting.
Mine starts blooming in late winter into early spring. The small white flowers are followed by green berries which eventually turn into red berries towards fall. My Foxtail Fern in early May. Those small white flowers turn into green berries, & eventually, turn red as late summer approaches.
Mine has never gotten any. They’re fairly pest free but have been known to be infested by spider mites and scale insects so be on the lookout for these.
It’s best to take action and get them under control ASAP because they multiply and spread like crazy.
How To Care For A Foxtail Fern In Winter
I now live in zone 9b. In the winter months, I leave mine alone. If we’re going through a dry spell, I give it supplemental water as needed.
How to Care For Your Invasive Asparagus Fern, Fox Tail Fern
FAQ
Are you supposed to trim foxtail ferns?
When it comes to cutting back your foxtail fern, timing is everything. Early spring is the prime time for rejuvenation, allowing the plant to thrive before new growth emerges. Late summer is another excellent opportunity for maintenance and shaping.
How do I make my foxtail fern bushy?
As with any garden perennial, foxtail fern requires the removal of stems at the base. This will help your plant look robust, while encouraging new growth. Periodically, you can also pinch one inch off the stems to spur growth. Depending on the thickness of your foxtail’s stem, this may require shears.
Why is my foxtail fern leggy?
Wilting fronds signal water issues; ensure proper watering techniques to revive your fern. ☀️ Leggy growth means insufficient light; relocate your fern for optimal brightness.