Boston Fern vs Peony

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

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Nephrolepidaceae · ferns

Deer ResistantMedium Maintenance

Peony

Paeonia lactiflora

Paeoniaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)

Peony (Zones 3-8)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Boston Fern	Peony
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	ferns	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	4'	3'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Late Spring
Bloom Color	None	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	East Asia
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Boston Fern

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Peony

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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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

View Boston FernProfile →View PeonyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Peony 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 Peony have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Peony?

Both Boston Fern and Peony reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 4' and 3' respectively.

Are Boston Fern and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Peony?

Boston Fern has medium maintenance while Peony has low maintenance. Peony 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	Peony
Scientific Name	Nephrolepis exaltata	Paeonia lactiflora
Family	Nephrolepidaceae	Paeoniaceae
Category	ferns	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧💧 High	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	4'	3'
Bloom Season	Non-flowering	Late Spring
Bloom Color	None	Pink, White, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Slow
Native Region	Tropical Americas	East 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.

Peony

✓Plant eyes (buds) no deeper than 2 inches below soil surface.
✓Provide support for heavy blooms.
✓Don't move established plants — they resent transplanting.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Boston Fern and Peony grow in the same hardiness zone?

Boston Fern grows in USDA zones 9-11, while Peony 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 Peony have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Boston Fern or Peony?

Both Boston Fern and Peony reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 4' and 3' respectively.

Are Boston Fern and Peony deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Boston Fern or Peony?

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