Greetings, human caretaker. I am a Foxtail Fern, though my botanical name is *Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’*. I am not a true fern but a member of the lily family, which explains many of my needs. To help me thrive and display my lush, plume-like fronds, please attend to my core requirements as I express them from my perspective.
My feelings about light are specific. I crave bright, indirect sunlight. Imagine the dappled light beneath a canopy of trees—that is my ideal. A spot near an east or north-facing window is often perfect. Direct, harsh afternoon sun, especially in southern climates, will scorch my delicate, needle-like cladodes (what you see as leaves), causing them to turn yellow and crispy. However, too little light will make me weak and leggy as I strain to find a energy source. I am quite adaptable and can tolerate some direct morning sun, but please, protect me from the intense midday glare. If you place me outdoors for the summer, a shaded patio is my favorite vacation spot.
My water preferences are for consistency and good drainage. I enjoy a thorough drink, allowing water to flow freely from the holes in my pot. This quenches the thirst of my dense, tuberous roots. However, I have a great disdain for wet feet. You must let the top inch or two of my soil dry out completely before watering me again. Soggy, waterlogged soil is a death sentence, as it will cause my roots to rot. In the warmer, active growing seasons of spring and summer, I will drink more frequently. In the cooler, dormant winter months, I need much less water. A good rule is to listen to me: if my fronds begin to yellow, you may be over-loving me with water. If they turn brown and crispy, I am parched.
The soil I live in is paramount to my health. I require a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral potting mix. A standard potting soil amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand is ideal. This mixture provides structure, allows excess water to drain away quickly, and lets oxygen reach my roots. I am not particularly fussy about soil fertility, but I do appreciate a feeding. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month during my growing season will keep my fronds a vibrant, deep green. Please refrain from feeding me in the winter when I am resting.
I am a tender perennial, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. I prefer temperatures between 65°F and 75°F and will protest if exposed to temperatures below 50°F. If you live in a cooler region, I must be a houseplant for most of the year, only venturing outside when all threat of frost has passed. I appreciate moderate to high humidity levels. If your home is very dry, especially in winter, please mist my fronds occasionally or place my pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water to increase the moisture in the air around me. This prevents my tips from turning brown.
