Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Crassula ovata
Crassulaceae · succulents
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Jade Plant (Zones 10-12)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11
| Feature | Boston Fern | Jade Plant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Crassula ovata |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Crassulaceae |
| Category | ferns | succulents |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧 Low |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Sandy, Well-drained |
| Height | 3' | 3' |
| Spread | 4' | 2' |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Winter |
| Bloom Color | None | White, Pink |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Slow |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | South Africa |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Jade Plant
Boston Fern
Jade Plant
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 Jade Plant if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with low water in zones 10–12.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
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