Plant in full sun to part shade. Irrigate regularly, occasionally to infrequently - quite drought tolerant even in containers. Cold hardy to around 20 °F. Can be pruned sculpturally and is a popular plant for bonsai or as a container plant both indoors and out (in mild climates) where it can tolerate infrequent irrigation and long periods between repotting, though this itself is a chore as the root mass is large and very durable. The cut foliage is great in flower arrangements and can last between 1 and 2 weeks.

Asparagus retrofractus plant comes from arid regions of South Africa where it grows from the peninsula north to the Karoo and Namibia where its Afrikaner name is katdoring; other common names include Ming Fern, Pom Pom Asparagus Fern and Zig Zag Shrub. The name for the genus originates from the original Greek word 'asparagos' that was given to the cultivated asparagus and the specific epithet is the Latin word meaning "twisted backwards" in reference to the stems that zigzag. We grew this sculpturally interesting plant on off from 1981 until 2022. 

The information about Asparagus retrofractus displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.