Boston Fern vs Maidenhair Fern
The Boston fern forgives a missed watering; the maidenhair dies if the soil dries once, so it is a bathroom or terrarium plant. Both are pet-safe.
Boston Fern is rated medium to care for, Maidenhair Fern hard. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Boston Fern. Maidenhair Fern needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Boston Fern wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
What they share: both are pet-safe and both are happy in the same humidity.
Choose
Boston Fern if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (medium indirect light)
- ✓you forget to water - it prefers to dry out between drinks
- ✓you want the lower-risk plant of the two
- ✓you want a floor-filling plant (30-90 cm (1-3 ft))
Choose
Maidenhair Fern if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on low to medium light
- ✓you like a plant that asks for attention on a schedule
- ✓you are happy to fuss a little for the better-looking leaves
- ✓shelf space is what you have (15-30 cm (6-12 in))
Boston Fern vs Maidenhair Fern: side by side
| Attribute |
Boston Fern
|
Maidenhair Fern
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Fern | Fern |
| Difficulty | medium | hard |
| Light | ●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
| Water | ●●●●○ 4/5 High |
●●●●● 5/5 Very high |
| Humidity | ●●●●● 5/5 High |
●●●●● 5/5 High |
| Pet safe | Safe | Safe |
| Mature size | Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
| Growth rate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Tropical regions | Worldwide tropics |
Key differences between Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern
Boston Fern is the easier plant
Boston Fern is rated medium to care for, Maidenhair Fern hard. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Boston Fern.
Maidenhair Fern copes with less light
Maidenhair Fern needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Boston Fern wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Maidenhair Fern drinks more
Boston Fern wants high watering (4/5) - keep the soil evenly moist, never fully dry. Maidenhair Fern needs very high watering (5/5): never let the soil dry out, even briefly.
Boston Fern is the bigger plant
Boston Fern reaches 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) and belongs on a side table or plant stand. Maidenhair Fern tops out around 15-30 cm (6-12 in), so it suits a shelf or desk.
They come from different habitats
Boston Fern originates in Tropical regions; Maidenhair Fern in Worldwide tropics. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern apart
The maidenhair is the hard one. It dies if the soil dries out even once, which makes it a terrarium or bathroom plant rather than a shelf plant. A Boston fern forgives a missed watering and just drops a few fronds. Both are pet-safe.
Care at a glance
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis Exaltata, Sword Fern
Lush, feathery fronds that add a tropical feel. Needs consistent moisture and humidity.
Care in one line: Indirect light, keep moist, mist daily, high humidity.
Full Boston Fern care guide →
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum, Delta Maidenhair
Delicate fan-shaped fronds on wiry black stems. Beautiful but demanding.
Care in one line: Indirect light, constant moisture, very high humidity essential.
Full Maidenhair Fern care guide →Boston Fern vs Maidenhair Fern: common questions
What is the difference between Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern? +
The maidenhair is the hard one. It dies if the soil dries out even once, which makes it a terrarium or bathroom plant rather than a shelf plant. A Boston fern forgives a missed watering and just drops a few fronds. Both are pet-safe. On care, boston Fern is rated medium to care for, Maidenhair Fern hard. If this is an early houseplant or the spot is hard to get right, start with the Boston Fern.
Which is easier to care for, Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern? +
Boston Fern. It is rated medium while Maidenhair Fern is hard, and it is more forgiving about light and watering mistakes.
Is Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern safe for cats and dogs? +
Both are safe. Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern are each non-toxic to cats and dogs, so either works in a home with animals.
Which needs less light, Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern? +
Maidenhair Fern. It scores 2/5 for light and fine a few metres back from a window. Boston Fern scores 3/5 and near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which needs more water, Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern? +
Maidenhair Fern, at 5/5 - never let the soil dry out, even briefly. Boston Fern scores 4/5: keep the soil evenly moist, never fully dry.
Comparing something else?
Put any two or three of our 116 houseplants head to head on light, water, humidity, size and pet safety.
Build your own comparison →