Asparagus falcatus
Asparagus falcatus (Sicklethorn) Care Guide
Featured photoasparagus-falcatus.jpgAsparagus falcatus, sold as Sicklethorn, is a member of *Asparagus* — the same genus as the culinary asparagus. A southern African and tropical African Asparagus with stiff sickle-shaped cladodes on woody climbing stems lined with sharp recurved thorns. Reaches several metres on supports and produces small fragrant white flowers in late winter. Despite the trade names that compare them to ferns, these species reproduce by seed rather than spores, and the fine 'foliage' is made of modified stems (cladodes) rather than true leaves.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 40–60 %
- Temperature
- 15–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining houseplant mix with perlite.
- Origin
- Eastern South Africa.
- Mature size
- 30 to 90 cm tall, spreading.
Overview
Asparagus falcatus sits in Asparagaceae alongside the culinary asparagus. A southern African and tropical African Asparagus with stiff sickle-shaped cladodes on woody climbing stems lined with sharp recurved thorns. Reaches several metres on supports and produces small fragrant white flowers in late winter. What looks like fine fronds are actually modified stems called cladodes that do photosynthesis — true leaves are reduced to small scales hidden along the woody stems.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light or a few hours of direct morning sun.
- More drought-tolerant than true ferns.
- Wear gloves when handling — small thorns hide between the cladodes.
- Trim back yellowing stems at the base; new ones emerge from the rhizome.
Common Problems
Yellowing cladodes are usually overwatering or, in winter, too cold. Loss of fine cladodes in dry air looks like the plant is shedding. Stems with hidden thorns scratch hands during repotting.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
Why are the thorns recurved?
A. falcatus thorns curve downward toward the base of the stem, hooking onto neighbouring vegetation as the plant climbs. The architecture lets the species climb passively through other shrubs without producing tendrils, an adaptation to its scrambling growth habit in southern African woodland edge.
Are these really ferns?
No — Asparagus species are flowering plants that produce seed-bearing red berries, not spores. The fern-like appearance comes from fine modified stems (cladodes) that take over the photosynthetic role from reduced leaves. They sit in Asparagaceae, not in any fern lineage.
How do I propagate?
Asparagus species are best propagated by division of the underground rhizome in spring. Unpot the plant, separate the rhizome into clumps each carrying several stems, and replant each clump in a fresh pot. Divisions establish quickly with steady moisture.
