Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Also called Sprue
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitDO NOT CUT A SINGLE SPEAR for two years, and stop cutting in mid-June every year after. The fern that follows is what feeds next spring's crop; cut it and the bed dies out.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 1.5 m tall · 0.5 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Europe and western Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
The red autumn berries. Safe to eat: the spears.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — a skin allergen. The fern can bring some people out in a rash.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.