Balloon Flower vs Boston Fern

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

Balloon Flower

Platycodon grandiflorus

Campanulaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Balloon Flower (Zones 3-8)

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Campanulaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	3'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Balloon Flower

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

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 Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade 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 Balloon FlowerProfile →View Boston FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower 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 Balloon Flower and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Balloon Flower needs full sun to part shade 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, Balloon Flower or Boston Fern?

Boston Fern grows taller at 3' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Boston Fern spreads 4' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Boston Fern deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Boston Fern?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Balloon Flower	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Platycodon grandiflorus	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Campanulaceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	2'	3'
Spread	1'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Blue, White, Pink	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Balloon Flower

✓Late to emerge in spring — mark location to avoid damage.
✓Deep taproot — don't transplant.
✓Cut back after flowering.
✓Deer and pest resistant.

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 Balloon Flower if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Balloon Flower and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Balloon Flower 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 Balloon Flower and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Balloon Flower or Boston Fern?

Boston Fern grows taller at 3' compared to Balloon Flower at 2'. Boston Fern spreads 4' while Balloon Flower spreads 1'.

Are Balloon Flower and Boston Fern deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Balloon Flower or Boston Fern?

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