Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Iris germanica
Iridaceae · flowers
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Iris (Zones 3-9)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–9
| Feature | Boston Fern | Iris |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Iris germanica |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Iridaceae |
| Category | ferns | flowers |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧 Low to Medium |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Well-drained |
| Height | 3' | 3' |
| Spread | 4' | 1' 6" |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Spring |
| Bloom Color | None | Purple, Blue, Yellow, White |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Medium |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | Mediterranean, Europe |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Iris
Boston Fern
Iris
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 Iris if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low to medium 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.
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