Why is the asparagus fern turning yellow?
Asparagus Ferns are interesting and beautiful and have had a recent resurgence in popularity.There are a few common problems with Asparagus Ferns.If your Asparagus Fern is turning yellow, this article will show you how to fix it.
An Asparagus Fern can turn yellow due to over watering or insufficient lighting.Ammonia problems, pests, excessive light, underwatering, and acclimation are some of the causes.It's important to identify the problem before you try to fix it.
Asparagus Ferns are one of the plants that are commonly known as asparagus.They all have the same care requirements.Asparagus Ferns are commonly referred to as some of the following.
The Asparagus Fern is a close relative of asparagus and not actually a fern.Don't despair if the look and health of your plant have been marred by yellow foliage.We will look at the causes of yellow leaves on Asparagus Ferns to help you get your plant back to health.
One of the most common causes of an Asparagus Fern turning yellow is over watering.This happens because of the damage that over watering does to the roots of your plant.
Problems related to over watering are likely to happen if your plant is planted in poorly draining soil or a pot with few or no drainage holes.When the water requirements of the plant are reduced, there can be issues.
Asparagus Ferns have yellow leaves because the roots can't meet their needs.Roots rely on air moving through the air spaces of the soil to survive and function.The roots don't have access to oxygen if the soil is soggy.
The roots can't absorb the water that the plant needs.This results in the plant showing signs of stress and usually starts with the lower foliage first.
Fix each issue that needs addressing if you start to see your Asparagus Fern turning yellow.
The plant can be fixed easily if you detect over watering at an early stage.Reduce watering, let the plant dry out more, and review your plant to make sure it is potted correctly.For more information on fixing an overwatered plant, read my article.
It will be harder to save your plant if root rot has set in.There may be an offensive odor from the soil when root rot is present.
You will need to repot your plant immediately.For more information on root rot, read my article.
Asparagus Ferns are very resistant to water shortages.They have tuberous roots that allow them to use water in times of need.
Asparagus Ferns can turn yellow from lack of water or inconsistent watering.The leaf tips and peripheral foliage will be the first to be affected by this.
If there is a lack of water, the foliage can turn yellow or brown and feel dry.
The soil will be very dry and this should be easy to identify.You might be aware of how long it has been since you last watered your plant.
Once you resume normal watering, the bloom that turns yellow will not recover.New foliage will grow quickly to replace it.Pruning off the affected foliage will restore the appearance of your Asparagus Fern.
There are a few factors that can increase the likelihood of your Asparagus Fern turning yellow.
The most common cause of an Asparagus Fern turning yellow is low light.This problem usually develops slowly, as the plant is not given enough lighting to support its needs.The plant will become stretched, sparse, and generalized.
It is easy to put your Asparagus Fern in a location that doesn't have enough light.Most people think that houseplants do best in bright, indirect light.
If you want to know if your Asparagus Fern is getting enough lighting, you can check the shadow of the light.To see the shadow of your hand, hold it close to the wall or floor.This is perfect if you see a shadow with a fuzzy outline.The lighting is insufficient if you don't see a shadow or a very faint one.
Alternatively, you can download a light meter App for your phone that will use your camera to estimate the lighting.800 and 2000 foot candles provide a bright indirect light.
If you want your plant to recover, you should move it to a location with enough light.Try to find a location in your home that has good lighting.
Depending on the time of day, season, and even the weather, lighting can change.In the winter or summer, you may have to move your plant to a brighter spot.
At the other end of the spectrum, excessive lighting can cause problems with the foliage of your Asparagus Fern, such as turning them yellow or brown.
Asparagus Ferns can only tolerate 1-2 hours of direct sunlight per day, so keep them out of the sun.If you want to move your plant back from a window that gets a lot of sunlight in the warmer months of the year, you should use a north or east-facing window.
Asparagus Ferns do best when they have a steady supply of food.I like to use a balanced, water-solublefertilizer every 3-4 weeks while the plant is growing.I usually reduce the strength of thefertilizer for outdoor plants.Any issues with overfertilizing are usually prevented by this.
An Asparagus Fern turning yellow due to lack of fertilization will look like it is stuck in a rut, and will turn paler as it ages.
Evidence of salt build up on top of the soil can be seen when an overfertilized Asparagus Fern develops brown tips.
If you haven't fertilized your Asparagus Fern in a long time, start a regular routine.To learn more, read my guide.
If you think overfertilizing could be the cause of yellowing, stop fertilization and flush the soil thoroughly.The excess salts are washed out of the soil by running water through it.If you want to restart a more conservative regime, avoid Asparagus Fern for a few months.
Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale are pests that affect Asparagus Ferns.If there is a bad outbreak, they can cause the foliage to yellow.
The pests are caused by suckers that pierce the foliage and steal water and resources from the plant.As the infestation gets worse, the stress will cause patchy yellowing, that can become more generalized.
It's a good idea to check your Asparagus Fern on a regular basis.Spider mites are very small, so you will need to inspect the plant closely for the bugs or their webs.For more info on treatment, refer to my article.
Quarantine any new plant that you bring into your home for at least seven days.If you have time, you can observe your new plant for signs of bugs and protect your existing plants.
Asparagus Ferns are grown in perfect conditions in the plant nursery.Your Asparagus Fern will take some time to adjust to the conditions in your home.It can happen in the first few weeks after you bring your new plant home.
Don't worry about this.If you provide a good environment for your new plant, things will be stable before long and healthy foliage will develop.Pruning off the foliage will allow you to enjoy your plant.