Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, asparagus is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing asparagus.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Asparagus Belong To?
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) belongs to the Asparagaceae family, also known as the asparagus family.
Some of its relatives include agave, lily-of-the-valley, and spider plant.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Asparagus?
The minimum container depth recommended for asparagus is 7 inches.
Asparagus spreads out widely, so it is best to have a container with a minimum width of 3 feet.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Asparagus?
Some of the best companions for asparagus are as follows:
- Tomato, which repels asparagus beetles
- Eggplant
- Peppers such as poblano and banana pepper
- Beet
- Horseradish
- Chard
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Grape
- Strawberry
- Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Daisy
- Aster
- Sunflower
- Chamomile
- Calendula
- Basil, which repels asparagus beetles
- Parsley, which repels asparagus beetles
- Oregano
- Sage
- Thyme
- Comfrey
- Cilantro
- Dill
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Asparagus?
Asparagus is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with asparagus are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Does Asparagus Need?
Asparagus prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It tolerates a wide range of soil densities and compositions as long as these conditions are met.
How Long Does Asparagus Take to Germinate?
Asparagus takes 2-8 days to germinate at a temperature of 70-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Asparagus Need?
Asparagus can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest and most productively in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and asparagus grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Asparagus Need?
Asparagus needs 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week during its first two years of life.
After this, it needs about 1 inch of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Asparagus?
Asparagus grows fastest in temperatures of 65-75°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some asparagus varieties are bred for longer harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Asparagus Get?
The average height of asparagus is 5-7 feet.
An asparagus plant can also grow up to 3 feet wide.
Is Asparagus Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Asparagus is perennial, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
Specifically, it can live up to 20 years in ideal conditions.
How Does Asparagus Reproduce?
Asparagus reproduces by seed and by replanting a crown.
How Much Asparagus is Produced Per Plant?
For asparagus, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and growing conditions.
On average, mature asparagus plants produce about 1 pound of shoots per plant per year.
Asparagus takes 3 years to start producing, and production increases each year.
Can Asparagus Be Ingested?
Asparagus shoots and roots are edible. Shoots are the parts that are most commonly eaten.
Asparagus shoots have antispasmodic and demulcent properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for an asparagus tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting asparagus shoots or roots.
See this article for more information about ingestibility in general. See the simple uses article linked below for examples of ways to prepare this specific plant.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of asparagus rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for asparagus here!
Asparagus is featured in these Plant to Plate articles:
- Simple Uses for Asparagus
- Gardening in Full Sun
- Gardening in Dappled Shade
- Gardening in Part Shade