What to Do When Asparagus Fern Leaves Turn Yellow? Causes and Solutions

Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) is a perennial evergreen climbing foliage plant valued for its stems, and a famous ornamental plant. Asparagus fern is an ornamental green plant with high ornamental value; grown indoors it can also purify the air, kill bacteria and help regulate indoor air. So what should you do when the leaves turn yellow or even dry up and drop off while growing asparagus fern?

Yellow leaves caused by too much light

Asparagus fern likes partial shade and dislikes strong light, especially in summer, when it must be kept away from direct sunlight, otherwise the branches and leaves will wither and turn yellow. Move the pot to a shady spot and mist the branches and leaves often to raise the air humidity.

Yellow leaves caused by improper watering

Asparagus fern likes moisture but fears waterlogging, so the potting soil should be kept alternating between dry and moist; generally, watering just enough to moisten the surface soil is fine. Too much water easily causes root rot, while too little causes dry leaf tips. In dry seasons, spray the leaves with clean water more often.

Yellow leaves caused by improper fertilizing

If a top dressing is applied too strongly or unrotted fertilizer is used, it easily causes “root burn”, making the leaves dry up and drop off. Conversely, if the potting soil is poor, the leaves will also turn yellow from a lack of nutrients.

Yellow leaves caused by poor winter care

Asparagus fern likes warmth and should be placed in a sunny spot in winter. If it is kept for a long time in a place with no light in winter, or in poor ventilation or cold, the leaves easily turn yellow and wither. Generally, the room temperature should be no lower than 12°C, and the plant should be placed near a south-facing window with watering appropriately controlled.

Yellow leaves caused by poisoning

Asparagus fern is sensitive to smoke and dust; if it is exposed to toxic gases, the branches and leaves easily turn yellow. In addition, if the plant is too large, the pot is too small, or it is harmed by pests such as scale insects, the branches and leaves will also turn yellow, so it should be repotted and treated promptly.

Yellow leaves caused by infection with pests and diseases

Once asparagus fern is infected by pests such as scale insects, the branches and leaves will also wither and turn yellow, so it should be treated promptly.

If the asparagus fern is not growing very lushly, it should be fertilized. Here is a folk method: watering the asparagus fern with white sugar water can also help add nutrients; watering it with 5—10% white sugar water every 20 days is enough to make it grow lushly.