Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Nephrolepis exaltata
Nephrolepidaceae · ferns
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Amaranthaceae · vegetables
Boston Fern (Zones 9-11)
Swiss Chard (Zones 2-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 9–11
| Feature | Boston Fern | Swiss Chard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nephrolepis exaltata | Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae | Amaranthaceae |
| Category | ferns | vegetables |
| Sun | ⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade | ☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water | 💧💧💧 High | 💧💧 Medium |
| Soil | Rich, Moist | Rich, Well-drained |
| Height | 3' | 2' |
| Spread | 4' | 1' |
| Bloom Season | Non-flowering | Spring-Fall |
| Bloom Color | None | Green (insignificant) |
| Growth Rate | Fast | Fast |
| Native Region | Tropical Americas | Mediterranean |
| Maintenance | Medium | Low |
Boston Fern
Swiss Chard
Boston Fern
Swiss Chard
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 Swiss Chard if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun to part shade 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.
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