As a whole, the Asparagus genera is part of a larger botanical order, the Asparagales, which groups together other related plant families such as the agaves, cordylines, dracaenas, orchids, ponytail palms, snake and spider plants, and yuccas (Joshua trees).

Asparagus densiflorus is native to the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces in South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and the Inhaca Islands of Mozambique.

[7] As it cannot tolerate frost, in temperate regions A.densiflorus is usually grown under glass.

Numerous cultivars have been developed, of which the compact form 'Meyersii' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

[8] Its dense 50 cm (20 in) plumes of foliage are especially valued in flower arranging.