Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’

Range and horticultural background of Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’

The Sprengeri form comes from southern Africa and has been grown as an ornamental since the late 19th century. It grows in coastal bush, rocky ground and wooded habitats. Its long arching stems contributed to its long-standing use in containers and hanging baskets.

The name Sprengeri has long been used for plants sold as both Asparagus aethiopicus and Asparagus densiflorus.

Looking after Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’

• Watering: Give the pot a thorough soak once the top layer has dried and the container feels lighter. The fleshy tubers store some water between waterings.
• Light: Give the plant bright indirect light. Gentle morning or evening sun is also suitable once the plant has adjusted gradually to brighter light.
• Potting mix: Use a rich houseplant mix loosened with bark, perlite or grit so excess water drains freely.
• Humidity: Average room humidity is suitable.
• Temperature: A warm room suits it while new stems are growing. Protect fresh shoots from cold draughts.
• Feeding: Give a balanced houseplant feed monthly while fresh stems are coming through. Pause when growth slows.
• Pruning: Cut old or yellow stems cleanly at the base to make room for fresh shoots.
• Slower growth: When the plant slows down in lower light, wait a little longer between waterings and pause feeding until new shoots appear.
• Repotting: Repot when the thick water-storing roots fill the pot, press against the sides, bulge the container or lift the root ball. Move to a sturdy pot one size larger.
• Propagation: Divide a mature plant into sections with healthy roots and shoots, or sow seed from fully ripe berries.

Problems and first actions for Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’

• Yellowing and shedding: A dry root ball or a dim position can trigger rapid foliage loss. Water the pot evenly and give the plant a brighter spot with filtered light.
• Tiny pale speckles or fine webbing: Spider mites can build up in the fine foliage. Isolate the plant, rinse the foliage thoroughly and use a treatment labelled for spider mites on ornamental plants. Repeat as directed on the label.
• Cottony clusters at stem joints: Mealybugs can hide deep in the branching growth. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects and use a treatment labelled for mealybugs on ornamental plants. Repeat as directed on the label.
• Brown dry tips: Repeated drying, hot air or fertiliser residue can crisp the fine foliage. Water more evenly and run plenty of plain water through the pot if fertiliser salts have built up.
• Soft dark roots or rot at the base: Potting mix that stays wet for too long can cause root or base rot. Cut decayed tissue back to firm healthy growth with disinfected scissors, discard the damaged material and repot in fresh free-draining mix.

If the problem continues after these checks, our plant-care team can advise on the next step.

Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its berries and leaves contain steroidal saponins, and repeated skin contact can also irritate.
• Swallowing plant material may cause vomiting or stomach pain, while skin contact may cause a rash. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

What does Asparagus aethiopicus mean, and who first published it?

Asparagus preserves the ancient Greek plant name asparagos. The epithet aethiopicus is historical botanical Latin for Ethiopian or African; it does not imply that the species is confined to modern Ethiopia.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Asparagus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 313; Joseph Pitton de Tournefort had proposed the name.

Carl Linnaeus first described Asparagus aethiopicus in 1770 in Mantissa Plantarum, page 1.