Foxtail Fern, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Foxtail fern brings soft, plume-like texture to pots, raised beds and spots near the house, and it takes Southwest Florida heat in stride. It is not a true fern, it stays 2 to 3 ft tall, and UF/IFAS lists its species as invasive in South Florida, so placement matters. Plants come in 1 and 3 gallon sizes, delivered and planted by our crew.
- Light:
- Part shade to full sun; bright shade keeps the color best in summer
- Water:
- Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Salt:
- Moderate
Foxtail Fern sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Foxtail Fern | 3 Gallon, 1 Gallon |
Foxtail Fern in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 2 to 3 ft tall, 2 to 4 ft wide
- Light
- Part shade to full sun; bright shade keeps the color best in summer
- Water
- Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Salt tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Frost can burn the tops; established plants usually regrow from the roots in spring
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 18 to 24 in on center
- Florida native
- No, native to southern Africa
- Botanical name
- Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'
Where Foxtail Fern works in a SW Florida yard
Foxtail fern's dense green plumes make a soft, bright accent against broad leaves like philodendron and ti plant, or the center of a large container. Keep it in pots or a contained bed close to the house, not along a preserve edge or canal bank, because birds spread the berries.
Where you want a native, fine-textured groundcover instead, coontie and muhly grass fill that role without the invasive question.
- Containers and planters
- Soft texture near entries
- Contained bed accents
- Mixed tropical pots
How our crew plants it
Match the planting depth to the nursery container, and space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Backfill with native sand and water in. Pots need drainage holes and a light potting mix.
New plantings are allowed extra water in Lee and Collier, so water daily for the first week or two, then settle into your assigned days; once rooted, it handles dry spells.
Care after planting
- Water regularly for the first few weeks; established plants are drought tolerant and do best with deep, infrequent watering.
- Fertilizer is optional: one light feeding in spring and one in early fall is plenty, with no nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 to September 30 in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island.
- Cut out yellowed or frost-burned stems at the base in late winter, and remove flower and berry stems before the fruit ripens.
- Wear gloves when trimming, because the sap can irritate skin.
What to watch for
- UF/IFAS's assessment of asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus), which lists foxtail fern among its common names, rates it invasive and not recommended in Central and South Florida, and FLEPPC lists asparagus fern as Category I, because birds spread the berries into natural areas; keep it in pots or a contained bed away from preserves and canal banks, or choose a native such as coontie.
- The berries and sap are mildly toxic: eating them can upset a pet's or child's stomach, and the sap can irritate skin.
- Spider mites show up in hot, dry weather as fine webbing and bleached fronds, so rinse the plant and treat early.
Foxtail Fern questions we hear
Is foxtail fern invasive in Florida?+
Its species is listed that way. UF/IFAS rates asparagus fern, with foxtail fern among its common names, as invasive and not recommended in Central and South Florida, and FLEPPC lists it as a Category I invasive. Birds spread the berries. Keep foxtail fern in pots or contained beds away from preserves and canal banks, or choose a native like coontie.
Does foxtail fern need sun or shade in Florida?+
It grows in sun or shade but looks best in part shade. Full summer sun can bleach the fronds, while deep shade makes the plumes thin and floppy. In Southwest Florida, give it morning sun and afternoon shade, or the bright shade under a palm.
How far apart should I plant foxtail fern?+
Space foxtail ferns 18 to 24 inches apart, center to center. That fills a bed within a season or two without crowding. Keep a gap from walls so the plumes can arch out, and in a large container use a single plant or a tight group so the plumes show.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Foxtail Fern
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
Also worth a look
We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.