Boston Fern vs Morning Glory

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

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	ferns	vines
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	3'	10'
Spread	4'	2'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	None	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Central America
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 11.

Do Boston Fern and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Morning Glory?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Morning Glory has low maintenance. Morning Glory may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	ferns	vines
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	3'	10'
Spread	4'	2'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	None	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Tropical Americas	Central America
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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

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 Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 9 through 11.

Do Boston Fern and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Boston Fern at 3'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Boston Fern spreads 4'.

Are Boston Fern and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Morning Glory?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Morning Glory has low maintenance. Morning Glory may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.