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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: AsparagaceaeGenus: AsparagusSpecies: retrofractus
Cultivar
Ming Fern
Asparagus retrofractus
Asparagus retrofractus, widely known as Ming Fern, is a unique, woody shrub prized for its dense, clustered, needle-like foliage that creates a soft, feathery appearance. Its stems grow in a dramatic, zig-zag pattern, providing an excellent architectural focal point for interior spaces or sheltered garden settings. This evergreen prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, thriving when kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Its slow growth rate and manageable mature size make it a classic choice for sophisticated container gardening.
The Ming Fern is a stunning, slow-growing tropical foliage plant known for its delicate, needle-like leaves and architectural, woody stems. It creates a refined, airy presence in containers or as an ornamental addition to warm-climate landscapes.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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Cultivar Video Coming Soon
See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Ming Fern with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Bright, indirect light; avoid direct, harsh afternoon sun which can scorch the fine needles.
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Water
Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season; allow the top inch to dry slightly between waterings, but never allow the plant to sit in standing water.
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Mature size
4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
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Hardiness
9-11
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Growth habit
Upright, woody, and shrub-like with a zig-zagging branching habit.
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Plant type
Tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Though often called a fern, this plant is actually in the lily family; it is far more drought-tolerant and resilient than true ferns.
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Climate note
Thrives in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; protect from temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Flower / fruit
Produces small, inconspicuous white flowers in the summer, occasionally followed by tiny red berries on mature, healthy specimens.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Bright, indirect light; avoid direct, harsh afternoon sun which can scorch the fine needles.
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Growth rate
Slow
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Fertilizer
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength once per month during the spring and summer.
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Pruning
Prune back long, leggy branches in early spring to maintain a dense, compact shape and promote new growth.
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Care notes
Though often called a fern, this plant is actually in the lily family; it is far more drought-tolerant and resilient than true ferns.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide.
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Growth habit
Upright, woody, and shrub-like with a zig-zagging branching habit.
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Spacing
3 to 4 feet apart for landscape plantings.
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Produces small, inconspicuous white flowers in the summer, occasionally followed by tiny red berries on mature, healthy specimens.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
9-11
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Temperature
Thrives in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; protect from temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season; allow the top inch to dry slightly between waterings, but never allow the plant to sit in standing water.
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Soil
Rich, porous, and well-draining potting medium, such as a mix containing peat moss or coco coir and perlite.
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Highly suitable for containers. Use a pot with ample drainage and a soil mix that promotes aeration.
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Family
Asparagaceae
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Foliage Look
Fine, feathery, deep green needle-clusters.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are actually modified stems called cladodes; they should appear as dense, tufted clusters along the woody stem.
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Fruit Flower Look
Small, star-shaped white flowers transitioning to sparse, tiny red berries.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flowers and fruits are rare on juvenile starter plants and should not be a primary feature in starter-stage imagery.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintain the upright, sculptural branching pattern; do not depict as a cascading or soft-trailing plant.
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Mature Plant Look
A sculptural, woody shrub with intricate, zig-zagging branches and dense, cloud-like tufts of needle-like foliage.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Woody, dark brown or grey main stems with distinct zig-zag bends; foliage becomes denser and more clustered as the plant matures.
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Morphology Rules
The plant must clearly display the characteristic woody zig-zagging stems and fine, needle-like green foliage.
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Plant Faqs
Is a Ming Fern a true fern? No, it is a member of the Asparagus family and is more drought-tolerant than true ferns. How much light does a Ming Fern need? It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its dense foliage. How large does a Ming Fern grow in a container? It typically reaches 4 to 6 feet in height, though pruning can keep it smaller. Can I grow this plant outdoors? Only in zones 9-11; in colder regions, it should be kept as a houseplant.
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Root Look
Dense, healthy root system within a propagation plug or small pot.
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Soil Look
Standard, well-draining, dark potting substrate.
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Starter Stage
Compact starter plug with soft, needle-like foliage on flexible, developing stems.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Features juvenile, bright green needle-clusters that are delicate and soft to the touch.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Ming Fern. This is Ming Fern, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let Ming Fern become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future indoor container garden or sheltered patio space you want to create. This plant is defined by its woody, zig-zagging stems and delicate, feathery foliage that adds a sophisticated and sculptural presence to any room. Establish your starter plug in a four-inch pot with well-draining mix, and later move it to a larger permanent container as it grows. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Ming Fern Asparagus retrofractus Agardeni houseplants tropical foliage container gardening ornamental shrubs indoor plants slow growing plants architectural plants
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Youtube Video Summary
The Ming Fern is an exquisite tropical shrub defined by its woody, zig-zagging stems and dense, feathery foliage. It is an ideal architectural accent for indoor container gardens or warm-climate landscapes.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing Ming Fern (Asparagus retrofractus) - Architectural Foliage
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.