Plant guide
Lace asparagus fern
Asparagus setaceus
Keep lace asparagus fern away from cats that chew plants. Its berries and foliage can cause digestive irritation, and contact may irritate skin. Veterinary references differ on its overall safety classification.
What this guide covers: Asparagus setaceus only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Photo:
Photo details
Asparagus setaceus — Asparagus setaceus houseplant view
By Cindy Christian
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Asparagus setaceus — Asparagus setaceus houseplant view
By Cindy Christian
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Lace asparagus fern
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Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Asparagus setaceus
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Our practical recommendation
Your cat comes first.
Keep lace asparagus fern away from cats that chew plants. Its berries and foliage can cause digestive irritation, and contact may irritate skin. Veterinary references differ on its overall safety classification.
Explore reviewed non-toxic plants ↗Why the guidance differs
Pet Poison Helpline names Asparagus setaceus and warns of digestive and skin irritation; VPIS names the same species in its pet-safe list. Retain both positions as a caution guide. ASPCA's Asparagus Fern page instead names A. densiflorus cv sprengeri and is not used as an exact match. This plant is not a true fern.
A disagreement between references does not cancel a toxicity warning. We keep those warnings visible while the assessment remains unresolved.
Sources & review
Pet Poison Helpline names Asparagus setaceus and warns of digestive and skin irritation; VPIS names the same species in its pet-safe list. Retain both positions as a caution guide. ASPCA's Asparagus Fern page instead names A. densiflorus cv sprengeri and is not used as an exact match. This plant is not a true fern.
Source scope and date
Pet Poison Helpline · Source name: Asparagus setaceus. Asparagus setaceus only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Accessed .
Includes Asparagus setaceus in its pet-safe plant list.
Source scope and date
Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Source name: Asparagus setaceus. Asparagus setaceus only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Accessed .
Evidence checked . The cat-safety classification remains unresolved.
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How to grow this plant
Asparagus setaceus only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Bright, indirect light; avoid intense direct sun.
- Watering
Water regularly during active growth and more sparingly in winter; maintain drainage.
- Temperature
- Growing range: 55–70°F / 13–21°C
The source describes 55–70°F for growth.
- Humidity
Higher humidity is preferred.
- Potting
- Moist, organic, well-drained potting mix.
- Through the year
- Trim damaged stems to the base and watch for crowded roots. Spiny stems need care when handling.
Growing-guide sources
- Asparagus setaceus ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Asparagus setaceus only. Check the botanical name; a photograph alone cannot establish identity.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.