Boston Fern vs Lily of the Valley

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

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Convallaria majalis
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	ferns	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	4'	1'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — 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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

View Boston FernProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Boston Fern needs part shade to full shade and high water, while Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Lily of the Valley?

Boston Fern grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Boston Fern spreads 4' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Lily of the Valley?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Lily of the Valley has low maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Convallaria majalis
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	ferns	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Moist
Height	3'	8"
Spread	4'	1'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Spring
Bloom Color	None	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Europe, Asia
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.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

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 Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Lily of the Valley?

Boston Fern grows taller at 3' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Boston Fern spreads 4' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Boston Fern and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Lily of the Valley?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Lily of the Valley has low maintenance. Lily of the Valley may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.