Soft, light and full of movement, Asparagus umbellatus 'Myriocladus', often called the Ming Fern, makes fluffy clouds of bright green, leaf-like branchlets on slender upright stems. It has a more upright habit than most of its cousins thanks to its thicker stems, and with a little support it can grow pleasingly tall, bringing a fresh, feathery texture to a room.

It looks wonderful softening a shelf or plant stand, and the delicate sprays work beautifully as filler in a hand-tied bunch too. Despite its fern-like looks, it is not a true fern at all, but a hardy, easy-going member of the asparagus family.

Care at a glance

Light: Bright, indirect.

Water: In spring and summer, water when the top 20 percent of the compost has dried. In autumn and winter, let the top half dry out before watering again.

Humidity: Enjoys a daily misting and appreciates a little extra humidity.

Temperature: Warm, average room temperatures suit it well. Keep it away from cold draughts.

Feed: A houseplant feed every three to four weeks through the growing season, April to September.

Note: The berries are mildly toxic if eaten, and the fine stems can have small spines, so best kept away from curious pets and little ones.

As a living plant, size and shape vary from one to the next, so yours will be one of a kind.