Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae · herbs
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Basil (Zones 2-11)
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11
| Feature | Basil | Boston Fern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocimum basilicum | Nephrolepis exaltata |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Nephrolepidaceae |
| Category | herbs | ferns |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade |
| Water | 💧💧 Medium | 💧💧💧 High |
| Soil | Rich, Well-drained | Rich, Moist |
| Height | 2' | 3' |
| Spread | 1' | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Summer | Non-flowering |
| Bloom Color | White | None |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast |
| Native Region | India, Southeast Asia | Tropical Americas |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Basil
Boston Fern
Basil
Boston Fern
Choose Basil if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.
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.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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