Pollination: Bumble bees are the most common pollinators of western rattlesnake plantain. Halictid bees and syrphid flies were observed hovering near Goodyera spp. in northern Michigan. The insects sometimes landed on the flowers but were never seen bearing pollinia. The flowers of western rattlesnake plantain are protandrous, making self-pollination unlikely. Pollination occurs as the bees work their way from the bottom of the inflorescence to the top, removing pollinia from younger, upper flowers in the male stage, then flying to another inflorescence and depositing pollen on lower, older flowers in the female stage.

Seed Production and Dispersal: There are many seeds per capsule. The minute seeds of western rattlesnake plantain are wind dispersed.

Seedling Development: Germinating Goodyera spp. seeds 1st produce slow-growing protocorms (cell masses that develop during orchid germination) that develop rhizoids (root-like structure lacking conductive tissues), and then develop scale-like leaves after several months of growth. Greenhouse studies indicate that once a seed has germinated, it can take up to 1 year before leaves are present and 2.5 years before the plant is fully mature.

Vegetative Reproduction: Western rattlesnake plantain rapidly regenerates from rhizomes.