Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Asclepias tuberosa
Apocynaceae · flowers
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Butterfly Weed (Zones 3-9)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–9
| Feature | Boston Fern | Butterfly Weed |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Asclepias tuberosa |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Apocynaceae |
| Category | ferns | flowers |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧 Low |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Well-drained, Sandy |
| Height | 3' | 2' 6" |
| Spread | 4' | 1' 6" |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Summer |
| Bloom Color | None | Orange |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | Eastern North America |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Butterfly Weed
Boston Fern
Butterfly Weed
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.
Choose Butterfly Weed if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–9.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
Explore More Data Tools
For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.