Boston Fern vs Colorado Blue Spruce

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

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Colorado Blue Spruce

Picea pungens

Pinaceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Colorado Blue Spruce (Zones 2-7)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Colorado Blue Spruce
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Picea pungens
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Pinaceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	3'	60'
Spread	4'	20'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	Green
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Rocky Mountains
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Colorado Blue Spruce

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

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.

Colorado Blue Spruce

✓Needs full sun for best blue color.
✓Maintain lower branches for best appearance.
✓Watch for cytospora canker and spider mites.
✓Mulch well.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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 Colorado Blue Spruce if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–7.

View Boston FernProfile →View Colorado Blue SpruceProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Colorado Blue Spruce grows in zones 2-7. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce have the same sun and water needs?

Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water, while Colorado Blue Spruce needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Colorado Blue Spruce?

Colorado Blue Spruce grows taller at 60' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Colorado Blue Spruce spreads 20' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Colorado Blue Spruce?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Colorado Blue Spruce has low maintenance. Colorado Blue Spruce may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Colorado Blue Spruce
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Picea pungens
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Pinaceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	3'	60'
Spread	4'	20'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	Green
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Rocky Mountains
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

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.

Colorado Blue Spruce

✓Needs full sun for best blue color.
✓Maintain lower branches for best appearance.
✓Watch for cytospora canker and spider mites.
✓Mulch well.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

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 Colorado Blue Spruce if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Colorado Blue Spruce grows in zones 2-7. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce have the same sun and water needs?

Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water, while Colorado Blue Spruce needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Colorado Blue Spruce?

Colorado Blue Spruce grows taller at 60' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Colorado Blue Spruce spreads 20' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Colorado Blue Spruce deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Colorado Blue Spruce?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Colorado Blue Spruce has low maintenance. Colorado Blue Spruce may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.