Boston Fern Spores: Nature's Reproductive Dots

The round brown dots on the undersides of Boston fern fronds are sori—clusters of reproductive spores. Unlike flowering plants, ferns reproduce via these microscopic spores.

Propagating from Spores

Enthusiasts collect spores and sow them on a moist brick in a covered container. The spores develop into a heart-shaped prothallus, which eventually produces sperm and eggs. After fertilization, a new fern plant emerges.

See Growing Ferns from Spores and Propagating Ferns from Spores for detailed instructions.