Foxtail Fern / Asparagus Fern

Asparagus aethiopicus

Family: AsparagaceaeZones: 9A-11B for both cultivars

Cultivar not yet confirmed: could be 'Sprengeri' or 'Myersii', each with its own invasive-status finding below.
Invasive-status Caution for one cultivar: see the invasive-status note below.

Pet & Human Safety

People: Hazard to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

berries (per the same mechanism ASPCA documents for pets; no separate human-specific source was checked)

Preparation

Not applicable: ornamental foliage plant, not a food crop.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not applicable: no sourced human-toxicity finding; see the pet-toxicity notes above for the mechanism, which was not independently checked against a human-poisoning source.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA's clinical signs for this species: allergic dermatitis with repeated skin contact, and gastric upset (vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea) if the berries are eaten. Keep pets from chewing on the foliage or eating the small berries either cultivar produces.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Edible garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). To tell them apart: This is the ornamental fern, grown for fine feathery foliage, toxic to dogs and cats (ASPCA); the edible vegetable is grown for its spears and is a food crop.. Keep the two guides and catalog slugs separate: do not merge the toxic ornamental fern with the edible vegetable.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA Zones 9A-11B for both cultivars.
Water needs: Sprengeri: drought-tolerant once established, avoid overwatering (wet soil causes root rot). Myersii: moderately drought tolerant.
Mature size: Sprengeri (trailing form): 1-2 ft tall, 3-4 ft spread, fast growing, cascading habit. Myersii (foxtail form): 1-2 ft tall, 2-4 ft spread, upright vase-shaped growth with spined stems forming dense 'foxtail' plumes.
Where it comes from: Not confirmed with a specific country or region; UF/IFAS EDIS FP052 states the Myersii cultivar is 'not native to North America.'

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon