Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Canna × generalis
Cannaceae · flowers
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Canna Lily (Zones 7-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11
| Feature | Boston Fern | Canna Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Canna × generalis |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Cannaceae |
| Category | ferns | flowers |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧💧 Medium to High |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Rich, Moist |
| Height | 3' | 6' |
| Spread | 4' | 2' |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Summer-Fall |
| Bloom Color | None | Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | Tropical Americas |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Canna Lily
Boston Fern
Canna Lily
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 Canna Lily if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun with medium to high water in zones 7–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–11. 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.