Asiatic Lily vs Boston Fern

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Asiatic Lily

Lilium asiaticum

Liliaceae · bulbs

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Asiatic Lily (Zones 3-8)

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Asiatic Lily	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Lilium asiaticum	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Liliaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	bulbs	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Asiatic Lily

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Asiatic Lily

✓Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in fall or spring.
✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Leave foliage to die naturally.
✓Divide every 3-4 years when crowded.

Boston Fern

✓Mist frequently or use humidity tray.
✓Water when top inch of soil is dry.
✓Keep away from heating vents.
✓Trim brown fronds at base.
✓Divide when crowded.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Asiatic Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–8.

Choose Boston Fern if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with high water in zones 9–11.

View Asiatic LilyProfile →View Boston FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Asiatic Lily grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Asiatic Lily needs full sun and medium water, while Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Asiatic Lily or Boston Fern?

Both Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' and 4' respectively.

Are Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern deer resistant?

Yes, both Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Asiatic Lily or Boston Fern?

Asiatic Lily has low maintenance while Boston Fern has medium maintenance. Asiatic Lily may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Asiatic Lily	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Lilium asiaticum	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Liliaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	bulbs	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Early Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Orange, Red, Yellow, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Asiatic Lily

✓Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in fall or spring.
✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Leave foliage to die naturally.
✓Divide every 3-4 years when crowded.

Boston Fern

✓Mist frequently or use humidity tray.
✓Water when top inch of soil is dry.
✓Keep away from heating vents.
✓Trim brown fronds at base.
✓Divide when crowded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Asiatic Lily grows in USDA zones 3-8, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Asiatic Lily needs full sun and medium water, while Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Asiatic Lily or Boston Fern?

Both Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' and 4' respectively.

Are Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern deer resistant?

Yes, both Asiatic Lily and Boston Fern are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Asiatic Lily or Boston Fern?

Asiatic Lily has low maintenance while Boston Fern has medium maintenance. Asiatic Lily may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.