How to Trim a Foxtail Fern

A member of the lily family, foxtail fern Asparagus densiflorus Myersii is part of a group of plants called asparagus ferns. Unlike the frilly, thin foliage of the familiar asparagus fern, foxtail ferns have long, cone-shaped fronds that, in shape, resemble a fox's tail. These fronds can grow to 2 to 3 feet in length and either stand upright or trail over the side of the container. Foxtail fern is an easy-care plant and requires little pruning.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears or sharp scissors

Instructions

1. Cut dead and dying stems back to the soil.

2. Prune 1/2 inch off the tips of new growth. This forces the foxtail fern to produce additional growth. Pinch the tips with your thumb and forefinger or use pruning shears.

3. Hard prune a sparse foxtail fern by cutting the stems back to within 3 inches of the soil.

References

• Floridata; Protasparagus Densiflorus; Jack Scheper; August 2007
• Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service; Asparagus Ferns; Cynthia W. Mueller; October 2008
• Nola; The Finer Points of Asparagus Ferns; Dan Gill; January 2008