Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Abelmoschus esculentus
Malvaceae · vegetables
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Okra (Zones 5-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11
| Feature | Boston Fern | Okra |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Abelmoschus esculentus |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Malvaceae |
| Category | ferns | vegetables |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Well-drained |
| Height | 3' | 6' |
| Spread | 4' | 2' |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Summer |
| Bloom Color | None | Yellow with Red Center |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | Africa |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Okra
Boston Fern
Okra
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 Okra if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 9–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.
Explore More Data Tools
For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.