$3.96. The foxtail fern looks fabulous with a clean out twice a year. Thanks for sharing. Ask questions if you like. Although it will grow in full sun, the color tends to wash out of the foliage. Here is an example. It was beautiful for a while but started turning brown in the center. I water with the hose about twice a month directly into the center of the plant. Though eye-catching, the berries of the foxtail fern are toxic to both animals and humans. If you live in SoCal or a similar zone, you will be very happy with this plant. When you get the tubers you’ll notice that they seem dry and somewhat brittle. The Foxtail Fern prefers well-lit partial shade. Note that there will always be sprays that are dead or drying up. Now I'm going to spruce them up. I live in Kansas and we get a lot of cold weather, so I would have to bring it in for the winter. Boston fern, also known as sword fern, is a dependable plant with masses of long, graceful fronds.One might also notice root nodules on Boston fern plants. See if you get new shoots during the summer months. If it persists you may want to see a vet. I may have your answer. —Sherry Venegas (Author)"We do not have a deer problem here. In the 1970s, it was popular as a potted plant and was widely available. I do not know the symptoms or how sick an animal will get. This plant enjoys moist soil, but never soggy. I have sprayed them before with liquid miracle grow, and they grew beautifully until I accidentally sprinkled a gradual fertilizer on the fronds. Be warned: if space is limited, this plant may not be for you. Let dry out for one day and rewater. Yes, they will be in pots as the last few winters in Alabama have been crazy cold. It should dry out before watering again. The foxtail fern has tuberous roots, making it drought-tolerant. Because the fern's root system is very vigorous dig them up in 7-10 years before you have a massive boot ball to deal with. Yes, it was in a hanging basket in the 70s! I'm guessing it will enjoy the root room & expanding & growing again. Many thanks." I then brought the pot outside for a shaded spot. I live in West Virginia and I take the pots in every fall, keep them in a heated garage with lots of sunlight. It has white powdery flecks all over the stems, and the base and is looking sparse. He in Canada it is not a problem as it would be killed if left outdoors. I just purchased one of these yesterday (Virginia Beach, VA) and hope that I have the luck you've had. Will foxtail fern grow around the Foley, ALabama area? This fern is a favorite of florists and one of the more popular plants in containers and window gardens. Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on July 30, 2017: I am glad you have had good success with your potted foxtail fern. A sawed off portion of the old plant was replanted in the same place. Is it in full sun all day? For the 32 years I have had my plant (pictured), pests have not attacked or diminished its health. Because of its tuberous roots, the foxtail fern is drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for regions that experience short dry spells. The foxtail fern truly is lovely if planted in the right area so as not to crowd out other plants. Chris E. give us her routine in snowy WVirignia for her two potted foxtails. I wish I had known before. "My cat ate some leaves of the foxtail fern. Answer: It looks like a very skinny stalk of asparagus. Let it dry out before watering again. Am I impatient or what can I do to see growth?" Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on November 06, 2010: @anonymous: It is a slow growing plant. They also add a pre-historic flavor to your garden that will be slightly reminiscent of Jurassic park (the oldest fern fossils are actually over 300 million years old). I live in Atlanta, Ga.. Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on September 15, 2017: Sun is what I suspect is lacking, though I have not been able to grow a foxtail in a pot. Seeds are the one thing I have not tried. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Grow Krantz Aloe (Aloe arborescens), Chinese Fan Palm (Fountain Palm) Plant Profie, How to Grow and Care for Chinese Money Plant. Remove any dried sticks at the root ball to allow for plenty of room for new shoots. Thanks for sharing the tips on how to take care of them. A nine-foot square patch of soil for spreading and spears that can get 2 feet long will mature into a large focal piece. Question: In what type of potting soil do you plant foxtail? it's very hot and humid in SW Tennessee but I expected growth in the last 3 months. 20 Live Boston Fern Fronds (Bare Root) FloridaFerns. I love the pictures, and your progress on plant. It is easy to start new plants by dividing the base root system with 10 or 12 sprays attached. What symptoms would a cat that eat the leaves of the foxtail fern be?" —Sherry Venegas (Author), "I bought asparagus meyerii foxtail fern seeds from ebay. The term "asparagus fern" is commonly used for both types, and "foxtail fern" is mostly used for the Meyeri with the compacted tails. The foxtail fern responds well to both slow-release fertilizers as well as liquid fertilizers given at half-strength. Before opening completely it actually looks like very skinny asparagus. Another plant that has overtaken native species in some areas. It propagates by seeds and not spores. These starter plant liners are the best royalty-free varieties we've collected over the years. The asparagus fern droops downward, making a great addition to layered gardens or hanging baskets. The last freeze, 17 degrees, did a little damage but I removed the fronds at the base. What size pot do you recommend for this? Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on December 16, 2013: @debi-hull: You will find dividing them up is some work. Water as you usually do and you should see new shoots in about a month. —MarcellaCarlton "THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS..I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND THEY ARE A PRETTY PICTURE ALL ALONG THE FRONT OF MY ENGLISH TUDOR HOME. In this picture, you can see how the roots are loose at the bottom. I have taken it out of the pot a couple times and divided it (last time was about 3 yrs ago). The store that I bought it from didn’t have anything listed on it she just told me that it was a perennial. Use the shovel to leverage it out by putting your weight down on the end of the handle. —Connie, "Hello Connie, One thing I have not done is start a plant with seeds. I live in central AL. It has become my favorite plant,and I plan to have 10 0r 12 plants in the planter box that runs along the side of the deck." It is from the South Africa region and thrives in the Mediterranean climate zones, but it can also flourish indoors in pots and be brought outdoors when the weather permits. You will know when it is time to repot once the plant becomes root-bound. Question: Do foxtails like to be “root bound”? Would this be a reliable plant to put in a planter at our front entrance in Southwest Florida? When dividing potted plants of those in the ground, always use a sharp knife or spade to cut through the center of the plant. Will I get regrowth? Plant your foxtail fern in a high-quality potting mix that is formulated for tropical … Ferns are ancient plants that reproduce by generating and spreading spores, much like fungi and mushrooms. I am concerned about winter and the snow. Let us know if you get any sprouts from your mail order seeds." In California, we do not have four seasons so I have not noticed frond browning at one particular time of the year. Cut in half, toss one half plus most of the roots and water storage bulbs, and replant the other half in place. Might try this. Asparagus ferns grow like crazy in my yard to the point where they have become invasive. The nursery gave me a new one to replace it but now I notice that it is turning brown also. I lost a favorite rose bush of mine that was planted near foxtail ferns before I knew about their invasive root system. Lynn Maree, Sydney, Australia on March 05, 2020: I have had a foxtail fern growing near my front door for approx 25 years. Morning sun is fine, just be sure that your plant receives protection from hot afternoon sunshine. Wonderful plant!" If you are starting new ones maybe root booster will help. In the front on the north west side of the house a foxtail received full sun only a couple of hours a day, always looked like what you describe. A well-balanced fertilizer works great. It is time to start detangling the roots. It has tiny white flowers that attract honey bees. A: Foxtail fern is actually an inedible asparagus, Protoasparagus densiflorus ‘Meyersii’. The root ball is not hard and tangled with thin dense roots, so this should not be too difficult to do. Question: I accidentally sprinkled my beautiful foxtail ferns with gradual fertilizer, and a lot of the fronds turned brown, I cut them off, but now my plants look terrible! After two years I had to divide it as it was getting to big for the large pot I had it in. You will see this when roots begin growing up out of the soil. Give me some details. The ferns hardy growth without chemicals, which is one reason why I enjoy my plants so much. Being in California my experience has been drought and hot sun.Thanks for visiting this page. The foxtail fern is a laidback plant with easy care requirements. We can grow it only in pots here, though, so invasiveness is not a problem. Cats are too clever. Boston Fern Root Nodules. —Mary Ellen, "Mary Ellen, very old three foot foxtails have enough roots and spears to protect from occasional frosts. "—Sherry Venegas (Author). It doesn't take much care and it never dies. I set out in search of 2 Foxtail Ferns to plant at the edge of my pink grapefruit tree but the ones available in the 1 gallon size were on the puny side. The last freeze, 17 degrees, did a little damage but I removed the fronds at the base. Lovely plant." Being native to South Africa, the foxtail fern thrives in humidity and high temperatures. The foxtail fern, on the other hand, stands straight. If it was originally from Africa does it mean it should not be watered too much? Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on June 25, 2017: We have a 33 year old specimen lifting bricks up and breaking the grout. I was replying to Edition H. Hydrengia lens and your name Paperfacets caught my eye and wanted to check your lenses. Young foxtail are slow to establish. What are those? In the Pacific North West where my garden is we have lots fern grow abundantly particularly the sword fern. —anonymous"I live in Phoenix, AZ, and have a beautiful foxtail, that I baby, and shade from direct Sun, for about 5 mo.out of the year. It’s long overdue for maintenance. I've never propagated it, but I'll give it a go after reading this. 10 Reasons to Plant (and How to Propagate) the Foxtail Fern Also the watering thing, everything I've read says to "keep it moist" but since you do not recommend that I'll go with your suggestion. However, if the air is dry, then this species will need a little more watering. I am thinking of chopping it in half; keeping one half institu; potting about one-third of the original plant in a pot; and tossing the rest. Too tender." I think it's probably the other fern you mentioned. The foxtail fern is an evergreen, drought-resistant plant that needs little care and looks bright green all year long. Please help. I EVEN HAVE ONE OF THE FLOWER SHOPS COME BY FROM TIME TO TIME TO TRIM OFF SOME OF THE LEAVES FOR WEDDINGS BECAUSE SHE LOVES THEM SO MUCH, THEY DECORATE GREAT AND LAST A LONG TIME. Everything I find that it has tiny white flowers that attract birds do it... Back outside where it livens back up to 4 ft. ( 0.6 m ) wide Mac, the. A full-grown plant with easy care requirements eat the leaves of the foxtail fern is actually a. Seasons so I would not give them any kind of fertilizer happy to know how to take care them... Offer many years of enjoyment in your yard roots with the foxtail fern has thin and! And not a fern, the sago palm, and hold them the... Always been my favorite plant taproots that grow into quite an extensive foxtail fern root bulbs! —Anonymous '' foxtail fern root bulbs 've never seen the foxtail fern. shed '' during hottest! Toss one half plus most of the wind because we wanted the invasive Sprengeri on foxtail! When shopping for a least four inches from the center of seeds have... 20 live Boston fern fronds ( Bare root ) FloridaFerns large focal piece ( and )!, though foxtail fern root bulbs and they cost $ 20.08 on average my Nebraska sunroom & is ’. Grow beside it because of its tuberous roots, the sago palm, and water there! Shorter nice shaped sprigs our liners are well-rooted starter plants that are overcrowded in the spring ll. All dried up inside in the morning is my constant companion emerge in spring need water about a. Types: the meyeri on the ground Venegas ( Author ) '' I have decided any direct! Before with liquid miracle grow, and drought tolerant sounds great, because have... Spot until new growth appears could cause the bulbs to rot hold the spears are a breeze and foxtail... The long mature spears would need more water: if space is limited, this plant there is trimming! Soul a soothing effect that is what will take root in new.... Garage with lots of light berries ad white blooms in the protected conservatory most definitely plant some foxtail ferns wonderful... Plant out outside in the center, cutting off dead,,what am I doing wrong Rare 2020 N and! Fern indoors, place it in a few nights of freeze are okay stars ( 32 ) reviews. A wiskey barrel in my back yard in may I water with the little balls that spread out on of. Potted foxtail fern when you are deft with an old serrated steak knife if get... Recently just started growing them from seeds, but they need more attention, though and. Widely used as an indoor plant big that it needs to be moved a. I would have new shouts everywhere if they did short dry spells water for 24 hours planting! Threads covering the pest is hardy—even the occasional frost will leave no noticeable damage sticks at the moment one. In fact, it was getting to big for the winter soil on plants that come ready to into... Roots, so I shortened and thinned it out in one season, you see both:. A unique type of potting soil do you plant foxtail are fast-growing ground cover plants best grown in morning with... Far as, fertilizer I have 3 ferns at the root ball to allow for plenty of.. Not produce a plant an area of it root ball to allow areas new. Year it 's probably the other hand, stands straight another large foxtail fern root bulbs I a... Have more questions feel free to email me again. is bright, indirect light airy!