🌿 Care Sheet: Asparagus setaceus
(Asparagus fern / Lace fern)
📌 General Plant Profile
Family: Asparagaceae (not a true fern)
Growth Habit: Fine, lace-like cladodes (leaf-like structures) on wiry stems; can climb or trail.
Light: Bright, indirect light. Tolerates lower light, but growth slows. Direct sun scorches foliage.
Temperature Range: 18–28 °C (tolerates down to 10 °C, dislikes heat >32 °C without humidity).
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity (50–80%).
⚠️ Note: This plant has tiny thorns on stems. Handle with care.
🌱 In Terrariums
Suitability: Works in large terrariums or bioactive vivariums with airflow. Not ideal for sealed nano terrariums—can outgrow fast.
Soil Mix: 50% coco peat / sphagnum · 30% perlite/pumice · 20% compost/loam.
Watering: Keep evenly moist, never waterlogged. In closed terrariums, water sparingly—once established, excess condensation = too wet.
Pruning: Regular trimming keeps growth compact. Without pruning, it will scramble upwards and outgrow.
Placement: Background or climbing support in larger terrariums.
Pro Note: In terrariums, treat this as a filler/background plant, not a centerpiece. Best where you can control its spread.
🪴 In Kokedama
Suitability: Excellent for kokedama—fine foliage and airy texture show beautifully.
Ball Mix:
40% akadama/pumice (drainage)
40% coco peat/sphagnum (moisture retention)
20% clay/loam (binding)
Watering: Dunk when light—likely 2–3×/week indoors (more in summer, less in winter).
Light: Bright, indirect. If too dim → weak, floppy growth. If too much sun → scorched cladodes.
Care: Trim regularly to maintain neat shape. Moss wrap should stay moist; mist lightly between soakings.
Pro Note: Avoid placing kokedama in very dry rooms (aircon/heaters) unless misted often—leaves brown quickly in low humidity.
🏡 Indoors (Potted Houseplant)
Soil Mix: Well-draining indoor mix → 40% coco peat / 30% perlite / 30% compost or quality potting mix.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist. Allow the top 2 cm to dry before re-watering. Sensitive to drying out—cladodes yellow/drop if left bone dry.
Humidity: Benefits from regular misting or pebble trays.
Light: Bright, filtered light near east- or north-facing windows. Can adapt to medium-light rooms but growth slows.
Feeding: Balanced liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring–summer (half strength). Skip in winter.
Pruning: Cut old, yellow, or woody stems at base to refresh plant.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested (pets/children), can cause GI upset.
⚠️ Common Problems
Yellowing & shedding: Underwatering, too dry air, or sudden light change.
Scorched tips: Too much direct sun or fertilizer burn.
Leggy growth: Insufficient light.
Pests: Susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs in dry indoor air.
✅ Summary
Terrariums: Only in large, ventilated builds; prune often.
Kokedama: Great choice; water 2–3×/week; loves bright-indirect spots.
Indoors (potted): Easy houseplant if kept moist and humid; prune woody stems.