Smilax asparagus
Asparagus asparagoides · Asparagaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around smilax asparagus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, light green
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July), small white flowers
- Growth habit
- Climbing, sprawling
- Adult size
- Up to 2 m in height
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Not very hardy (from 5°C)
- Origin
- South Africa
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, neutral to slightly acidic pH
Care
Regular and measured watering
Keep the substrate moist but never waterlogged, especially during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce watering in autumn-winter. Prefer fine rain watering and check that water drains well at the bottom of the pot to prevent root suffocation.
Bright, indirect light
Place the plant in a bright location, ideally near a window facing west or south, protected from direct rays. It tolerates partial shade but grows better in good light. Avoid areas that are too dark, which would slow down its growth.
Pruning and growth control
Pinch the stems regularly to encourage a bushy habit and avoid a too spindly effect. Remove dead wood and thin stems at the end of winter. Light pruning at the end of flowering maintains a dense shape and encourages new branching.
Moderate nutritional input
Apply diluted liquid fertiliser every 15 days or so during the growing period (April to September). Moderate input is sufficient: the plant is not demanding. Stop fertilising in autumn-winter.
Light and draining substrate
Use a mixture rich in potting soil supplemented with perlite or coarse sand to ensure optimal drainage. Avoid compact soils that promote root rot. Repotting every 2-3 years in spring allows you to regenerate the substrate.
Vigilance against pests and rot
Watch out for red spider mites and scale insects, which are common in dry conditions. Inspect the foliage regularly and treat quickly if infestation occurs. Root rot can occur after excessive watering: improve drainage and reduce water intake.
Did you know?
The false asparagus spurge owes its scientific name to a historical confusion: it was long thought to be related to edible asparagus. It is mainly famous in floristry, where its flexible stems and airy foliage make it a prized addition to bouquets and floral arrangements, particularly in South Africa where it is cultivated on a large scale as an ornamental plant.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.