ASPARAGUS

This unusual species originates from South Africa. It's an atypical genus that has become very popular with hobbyists in recent years, and rightly so. Like other Eriospermum species, they are underground tubers that, during the growing season, send up a simple, complex leaf (or several later in life) to photosynthesize. This leaf is very hairy and unusually branched, giving it the appearance of a small Christmas tree. Sometimes the tuber also sends up a long spike of flowers, which looks very special and feels like a reward, in my opinion.

Full sun, and water during the growing season when the substrate is almost dry. IMPORTANT: many Eriospermum species originate from regions with only winter rainfall, meaning they only grow in winter and don't receive any moisture during the dry, hot summers they are native to. I also grow them as winter plants. So, I water them from September, throughout the winter (be careful not to overwater during the cold) until sometime in May. During the summer months I stop watering and allow the leaves to wither and the tuber to remain dormant over the summer.