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Indoor plant care

Foxtail Fern

Asparagus densiflorus

• LightFoxtail Fern performs best under bright, indirect light…
• WaterWater Foxtail Fern after the topsoil feels dry. Check the…
• ToxicityToxic to pets
• Mature sizeIts eventual height is 2 to 3 ft / 60…

Foxtail Fern is an airy plant with soft, needle-like foliage arranged on plump, upright stems. Each stem resembles a fluffy fox tail, creating a fine texture without the look of a typical broad-leaf houseplant. Despite its common name, it is an asparagus relative rather than a true fern. It suits growers who can provide filtered light, regular watering and room for a rounded mature clump.

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Care data checked 25 September 2026 · Dany · A-Z Plants

Light requirements

Foxtail Fern performs best under bright, indirect light measuring 150 to 250 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.

• Keep it around 5 ft / 1.5m from a south, west or east-facing window.
• Select a spot without a direct view of the sky. Filter any unavoidable sunlight through a sheer curtain.
• Strong direct sun may bleach or burn the delicate foliage. Dim conditions can produce weak, sparse stems.
• A PAR meter or PAR meter app can measure photosynthetically active radiation as PPFD in μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹.

Watering

Water Foxtail Fern after the topsoil feels dry. Check the surface with a finger, but do not allow the entire root ball to stay dry for a long period. Its storage roots provide some resilience, though the fine foliage still shows stress.

• Use room temperature rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water.
• Saturate the mix until water leaves the drainage holes. Let the container empty fully before returning it to a saucer or decorative planter.
• Drainage holes are essential. Water trapped around the roots can lead to rot and yellow stems.
• Cut watering considerably in winter as growth slows. Prolonged dryness can cause brown, crisp needles and shedding.

Soil

Foxtail Fern grows well in an organic all-purpose potting mix with good drainage. The medium should retain some moisture without becoming compacted around its roots.

• DIY mix: combine 3 parts coir with 1 part pumice.
• Add a top dressing of worm castings, and use a pot with clear drainage openings.

Feeding

Apply an organic all-purpose fertiliser to Foxtail Fern every 2 to 4 weeks from March to October. Use the recommended label strength on damp soil. Do not feed more heavily to correct poor light, and pause fertilising during winter.

Temperature & humidity

Keep Foxtail Fern at 65 to 75°F / 18 to 24°C. Ideal humidity is around 40%, which suits many indoor rooms. Shield the plant from cold drafts and large temperature changes. Normal airflow helps keep its dense stems fresh.

What to expect

Foxtail Fern takes about 2 to 3 years to mature and develops at a moderate rate. Its eventual height is 2 to 3 ft / 60 to 90 cm. The mature clump can spread 2 to 3 ft / 60 to 90 cm.

Varieties & cultivars

• Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’: Compact, fluffy stems create the strongest foxtail shape. It holds an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’: Thin, arching stems create a cascading form suited to hanging baskets or ground cover.
• Asparagus densiflorus ‘Cwebe’: Dark green, glossy stems grow more upright and less densely than ‘Myersii’. Its larger flowers and berries attract birds.
• Asparagus densiflorus ‘Mazeppa’: Light green, feathery stems look finer and more graceful than ‘Myersii’. Its flowers and berries are smaller and less noticeable.