Laura Smith
Mushrooms growing in houseplants are a common problem, especially in warm, moist, and humid conditions. Mushrooms are caused by fungi, which produce spores that spread by wind and water to new areas for growth. These spores can enter your plant's soil through contaminated soilless mixes, airborne movement, or even spores brushing off clothing. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, so overwatering your plants can encourage their growth. While mushrooms are generally not harmful to houseplants, they can indicate that something is wrong with your care routine, and they may be toxic if ingested by pets or humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of mushrooms in houseplants | Fungi |
| Mushrooms thrive in | Moist, warm, and humid environments |
| Mushrooms are | Toxic to humans and animals if eaten |
| Mushrooms feed on | Dead, decaying, or organic matter |
| Mushrooms spread through | Spores |
| Mushrooms are commonly found in | Soilless potting mix |
| Mushrooms can be removed by | Scraping off the top layer of soil, changing the soil, or removing the caps |
| Preventative measures | Use cinnamon, a natural fungicide, or fine gravel on the soil |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, especially in summer
Mushrooms growing in houseplants are caused by a fungus. The mushrooms themselves are the fruit of that fungus. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, especially in summer, when the soil is warm and humid. Mushrooms produce billions of microscopic spores that are spread by wind and water to new areas for growth. They can travel long distances and find their way into many favourable places, including your potted indoor plants. The spores may have come in through the window, from other houseplants, in the plant's potting soil, or even via your clothing.
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of mushrooms in houseplants. Mushrooms love moisture, and overwatered plants with very wet soil are more likely to grow mushrooms. If you're watering your plants too frequently or using too much water, the excess moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for fungi. Warm, humid conditions with little air circulation can also cause mushrooms to appear. This is especially common during late spring and summer.
To minimize the spread of spores, it's important to wear gloves when removing mushrooms and wash your hands and tools afterward. You can also try to separate your mushroom-y plant from any others. The easiest thing to try is to scrape off the mushrooms and the top inch or two of soil and replace it. However, the fungus may regrow, and the mushrooms will return. Changing the soil may help, but it's not healthy to remove all of the soil from a plant's roots, and the fungus may still be present.
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Overwatering can cause root rot and fungal growth
Mushrooms in houseplants are a sign that the environment is too inviting for fungi. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, and overwatering can create the perfect breeding ground for them. While a few mushrooms are harmless, they can indicate an underlying issue with your plant's care routine. Left untreated, the fungus can take over, causing root rot and eventually killing your plant.
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of houseplant issues. It can lead to root rot and create conditions conducive to fungal growth. When plants are overwatered, their roots suffocate and die due to a lack of oxygen. This throws the plant out of balance, as it absorbs moisture through its roots and releases it through its leaves. As the roots die, the tissue decomposes, leading to root rot.
Root rot is typically associated with fungi, and several fungal species, such as Pythium, Phytopthera, and Rhizoctonia, are known culprits. Healthy roots should be white and firm, while roots affected by root rot turn brown, grey, black, or slimy. Overwatering can also impact the plant's nutrition, as damaged roots may struggle to absorb fertilizer from the soil.
To address overwatering and root rot, it is crucial to adjust your watering techniques. Allow the plant to dry out slightly before watering again, and ensure excess water can drain freely. Using a soil moisture meter can help you establish a proper watering frequency. Additionally, cutting away rotten roots and repotting the plant with fresh soil can aid in its recovery.
While mushrooms themselves may not be harmful, they can indicate underlying issues with your plant's health. By addressing overwatering and root rot, you can create less inviting conditions for fungi and promote the well-being of your houseplants.
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Mushrooms are caused by a fungus, which feeds on decaying matter
Mushrooms in houseplants are caused by a fungus, which feeds on decaying matter. Mushrooms are the fruit of that fungus. They are formed during the fungus' reproductive cycle as a way to spread their spores. Mushrooms produce billions of microscopic spores that can be spread by wind, water, or even brushing off clothing. These spores can float in from anywhere and find their way into many favourable places, including potted indoor plants.
The most common time to see mushrooms growing is during the mildly warm and humid months of the year, usually late spring and summer. Mushrooms in houseplants prefer warm, moist, and humid conditions with little air circulation. Overwatering plants can create the perfect environment for mushrooms as it provides the moisture they thrive in. Therefore, overwatering is one of the most common causes of mushrooms in houseplants.
Mushrooms themselves are not harmful to houseplants. They feed on dead and decaying matter, such as insects, potting material, or even rotting roots. By digesting this potentially harmful material, the fungi release organic compounds back into the soil, providing nutrients to the plants. However, the presence of certain types of mushrooms may indicate something is wrong with the plant's health. For example, the Dead Man's Fingers fungus feeds on decaying wood or unhealthy, rotting, or injured trees. Therefore, its presence may suggest the early stages of plant demise.
While mushrooms may not harm the plant, they can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Therefore, it is important to prevent and remove mushrooms from houseplants, especially if there are children or pets around. However, this can be challenging as spores spread easily and are microscopic, making them hard to spot unless they have formed large colonies. The only way to completely eliminate mushrooms may be to get rid of the houseplant.
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Spores are often introduced by contaminated soilless mixes
Mushrooms in houseplants are usually a sign that the environment is too inviting for fungi. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, and overwatering can create the perfect breeding ground for them. They can also be caused by contaminated soilless mixes.
The spores that cause mushrooms in houseplant soil are typically introduced by contaminated soilless mixes. These spores can spread quickly and are challenging to remove once they have infected the soil. They can also enter the soil through airborne movement or by brushing off clothing. The Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, a light yellow mushroom, is one of the most common mushrooms found in houseplants. It feeds on dead and decaying matter, which is why it won't harm your houseplant. However, it is considered toxic to people and pets, so it's best to remove it.
To minimize the spread of spores, it is recommended to wear gloves when removing mushrooms and to wash your hands and tools afterward. You can also try scraping off the mushrooms and the top inch of soil, but this may not be effective as the fungus can remain in the soil and regrow. Changing the soil may help, but it is not healthy to remove all the soil from a plant's roots.
Another way to prevent mushrooms from growing in your houseplants is to create less inviting conditions for fungi. This can be done by adjusting your watering frequency and ensuring proper air circulation. Mushrooms typically appear in houseplants during the summer when the conditions are warm and humid, so providing enough ventilation and avoiding overwatering can help prevent their growth.
Additionally, you can use natural fungicides such as cinnamon, which can be sprinkled on the soil to prevent fungal growth. Regularly checking the soil and removing small mushrooms before they produce spores can also help slow the spread. While mushrooms may not harm your houseplants, they can indicate that something is not right with your care routine, and if left untreated, they can cause root rot.
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Mushrooms can be toxic to humans and animals if eaten
Mushrooms in houseplants are typically caused by fungi thriving in a moist environment. Overwatering your plants can create the perfect breeding ground for fungi, which can also lead to root rot. Mushrooms prefer warm, humid conditions with little air circulation, especially during the late spring and summer months.
While some mushrooms are not harmful to plants, they can indicate that your care routine needs adjustment. Left untreated, the fungus can take over and cause your plant to die. Importantly, some mushrooms are toxic to humans and animals if ingested. For example, the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, commonly known as the yellow parasol or yellow houseplant mushroom, is toxic to both people and pets. Ingesting these mushrooms may cause mild gastrointestinal distress, but their exact level of toxicity is unknown. Therefore, it is crucial to remove these mushrooms immediately and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Bird's Nest Fungi, which resemble tiny egg-filled bird nests, are another type of mushroom that can grow in potted plants. While these fungi are non-toxic to humans and animals, their presence in indoor plants may suggest the need for repotting. Similarly, Little Brown Mushrooms (Conocybe spp.) are saprotrophic fungi commonly found in potted plants. They feed on dead or decaying matter, releasing organic compounds that provide nutrients for your plants.
To minimize the spread of spores, it is recommended to wear gloves when removing mushrooms and wash your hands and tools afterward. Adjusting your care routine to create less inviting conditions for fungi can help prevent future mushroom growth. This includes ensuring proper watering frequency and providing adequate humidity without creating an environment conducive to mushroom growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are the "fruit" of fungal organisms that are naturally and healthily present in your soil. They decompose decaying matter and convert them to nutrients for your plant. Mushrooms thrive in damp and humid conditions, so overwatering your plants may be causing their growth.
Mushrooms indicate that something is not right with your care routine. If left untreated, the fungus can take over, rot the roots, and cause your plant to die. Mushrooms can also be toxic if ingested by people or pets, so it's best to remove them.
You can remove the mushrooms and let the soil dry out. You can also adjust your care routine and create less inviting conditions for fungi, such as reducing the frequency of watering.
To minimize the spread of spores, wear gloves when removing mushrooms and wash your hands and tools afterward. You can also consider replacing the soil in your pot with a more aerated substrate that includes more inorganic particles like perlite or pumice.
Mushrooms are a common problem, especially in warm summer conditions. If mushrooms keep growing back, you may need to change the soil in your pot or try a wait-and-see approach. Remember to wash your hands after handling mushrooms to avoid spreading spores.
