How to Grow Ferns From Seed

Examine the underside of fronds for small capsules called sporangia, which contain spores. Collect spores when mature sporangia change from a green color to a glossy brown. If you notice black or dark brown, irregular edges on sporangia, it has released the spores.

Cut off a healthy frond with spores using sharp scissors and place it in a brown paper bag. Place the bag in a warm, dry spot for two to three days. The frond will release the spores in the bag.

Boil a kettle of water and aside it to cool. Pour 3/4 cup of water into a shallow bowl. Mix in 2 tsp. of bleach.

Fill a medium-size resealable plastic bag with a seed starter mix. Leave a little space to allow the material to move in the bag. Add a few tablespoons of sterile water into the bag and shake to moisten the mix. Sterile water is used to reduce chances of contamination in spores. Add more water if needed, using just enough to moisten the starter mix.

Remove the frond from the brown paper bag and shake out the spores carefully into the bleach solution. Leave them in the solution for about five minutes. Place three to four sheets of paper towels into a coffee strainer. Pour the bleach solution with spores though the strainer. Gently pour the remaining cooled kettle water over the spores. Let dry completely.

Fill the shoebox-size container with 1½ to 2 inches of the seed starter mix that you moistened in the plastic bag. Hold the paper towels over the starter mix and shake the spores on the seed starter surface. Use tweezers to remove any debris like stem or leaf pieces.

Close lid and put the box in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight. As moisture gathers gradually on the lid, tap light to release it on the growing medium below. If you do not see moisture every couple of days, open the lid and lightly spray sterilized water to moisten the medium.

Continue this process for about two weeks. You will see a light green film develop on the soil surface. This film will grow into leaflike, erect plants called prothalli in one to six months. Keep the soil moist by misting regularly. Eventually very small fern plantlets will grow from the prothalli.

Let the new plantlets get 3/4 inch tall. Transfer them to 2-inch pots filled with a well-drained potting soil. Place the pots in a plastic bag and close top. Place the bag in warm area for about two weeks. Transfer the plants into larger pots or to a permanent spot in the garden.