🌿 Fern

Fern just got checked.

Most likely diagnosis

Normal sori (spore clusters) developing on mature fern fronds

The raised, round spots on the underside of the leaves are most likely sori, which are the fern's natural spore-producing structures. They commonly appear on mature fronds and are often mistaken for pests or disease. Because they are only on the underside and concentrated on older fronds, this fits normal reproduction much better than an infestation or infection.

96% confidence ✅ likely healthy / natural fern sori

Save & start plant timeline 🌱 Your next photo becomes the follow-up →

Expert move today ✅

What to do today

No treatment is needed if these are sori. Just monitor the fern and avoid unnecessary spraying or scrubbing.

Leave the spots alone if they are on the underside only and look uniform.

Inspect one or two fronds closely for any true pests like scale or mealybugs.

Keep the plant in bright shade or filtered light and water evenly, since stressed fern fronds can dry or curl but this does not create sori.

Differential diagnosis

Also possible, but less likely

Mild scale insects if the bumps are uneven, not in neat rows, and can be scraped off

Fungal leaf spots if the spots are soft, irregular, or spreading on the upper surface too

Natural aging of older fronds with some drying from sun or low humidity

Targeted checks 🔎

What would prove it

Are the spots arranged in neat rows or clusters on the underside only? That strongly supports sori.

Do the bumps stay firmly attached and look like part of the leaf tissue? Sori do.

Can any of them be wiped off with a damp finger? If yes, that suggests pests or debris instead of sori. Sori will not wipe off cleanly, even though they may feel raised.

Next expert check-in ⏰

If you are still unsure after checking one frond

Check for scale vs sori

Look for a regular, repeating pattern of round bumps on the underside. Sori are usually evenly placed and part of the leaf. Scale insects are more random, may sit on stems too, and often have a waxy or shell-like look.

🧑‍🌾

Turn this into a recovery case

One photo gives a diagnosis. Tracking proves whether the plant is recovering.

📸

Photo comparisons

🧪

Cause tracking

📈

Recovery timeline

⏰

Next-step reminders

Don’t leave the diagnosis hanging 🌱

Save it now, then use the next photo to confirm if this was the right call.

Create account & save plant 🌱

Check another plant 📸