Boston Fern vs Lemon Tree

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

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Lemon Tree

Citrus limon

Rutaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantDrought TolerantMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Lemon Tree (Zones 9-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Lemon Tree
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Citrus limon
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Rutaceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy, Acidic
Height	3'	20'
Spread	4'	15'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Year-round
Bloom Color	None	White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

Special Traits

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lemon Tree

Yes — 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.

Lemon Tree

✓Frost sensitive — protect below 30°F.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer regularly.
✓Water deeply but let soil dry between waterings.
✓Scale and citrus leaf miner are common pests.

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 Lemon Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Boston FernProfile →View Lemon TreeProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Lemon Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Lemon Tree grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 11.

Do Boston Fern and Lemon Tree have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Lemon Tree?

Lemon Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Lemon Tree spreads 15' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Lemon Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Lemon Tree?

Both Boston Fern and Lemon Tree have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Lemon Tree
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Citrus limon
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Rutaceae
Category	ferns	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained, Sandy, Acidic
Height	3'	20'
Spread	4'	15'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Year-round
Bloom Color	None	White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Southeast Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Medium

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.

Lemon Tree

✓Frost sensitive — protect below 30°F.
✓Feed with citrus fertilizer regularly.
✓Water deeply but let soil dry between waterings.
✓Scale and citrus leaf miner are common pests.

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 Lemon Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 9–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Lemon Tree grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Lemon Tree grows in zones 9-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 11.

Do Boston Fern and Lemon Tree have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Lemon Tree?

Lemon Tree grows taller at 20' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Lemon Tree spreads 15' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Lemon Tree deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Lemon Tree?

Both Boston Fern and Lemon Tree have medium maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.