Bleeding Heart vs Boston Fern

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

Bleeding Heart

Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Papaveraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Bleeding Heart (Zones 3-9)

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Papaveraceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Pink, White	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Bleeding Heart

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 9–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Bleeding HeartProfile →View Boston FernProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 9.

Do Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart needs 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, Bleeding Heart or Boston Fern?

Both Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 2' and 4' respectively.

Are Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Boston Fern?

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

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Bleeding Heart	Boston Fern
Scientific Name	Lamprocapnos spectabilis	Nephrolepis exaltata
Family	Papaveraceae	Nephrolepidaceae
Category	flowers	ferns
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧💧 High
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	3'
Spread	2'	4'
Bloom Season	Spring	Non-flowering
Bloom Color	Pink, White	None
Growth Rate	Medium	Fast
Native Region	East Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Bleeding Heart

✓Plant ferns nearby to fill space when bleeding heart goes dormant.
✓Prefers cool, moist conditions.
✓Self-seeds in ideal conditions.
✓Toxic if ingested.

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 Bleeding Heart if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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 9–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern grow in the same hardiness zone?

Bleeding Heart grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Boston Fern grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 9.

Do Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern have the same sun and water needs?

Bleeding Heart needs 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, Bleeding Heart or Boston Fern?

Both Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 2' and 4' respectively.

Are Bleeding Heart and Boston Fern deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Bleeding Heart or Boston Fern?

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