Fungus isnât fun, but it happens. Hereâs why mushrooms appear on your houseplantsâ soil and what you can do to prevent it.
If youâve noticed sneaky mushrooms appearing in your houseplantsâ soil, youâre not alone. The fungus is attracted to damp conditions and can be annoying, but usually not harmful. Letâs try to get rid of it.
When it comes to identifying and getting rid of mushrooms in your houseplants, these are the things you need to know:
Mushrooms popping up in potted plants can be an annoying and frustrating problem for any indoor gardener. Not only are they unsightly but some mushroom species can even be toxic. The good news is there are steps you can take to stop mushrooms from invading your potted plants.
Why Do Mushrooms Grow in Potted Plants?
Before learning how to stop mushrooms, it helps to understand why they grow in potted plants in the first place
Mushrooms are fungi that reproduce via spores. Tiny mushroom spores are constantly floating through the air looking for a warm, moist environment to settle down and grow. Potted plants provide ideal conditions for mushrooms to thrive. The soil is rich in nutrients, warm, and moist – mushroom heaven!
Once mushroom spores land on the soil of your potted plant, they germinate and grow into mushroom fruiting bodies – the visible mushroom growth we are all familiar with. From there, the lifecycle continues as the mushrooms release more spores into the environment.
Are Mushrooms Harmful to Potted Plants?
An important question many indoor gardeners have is whether or not mushrooms are actually harmful to potted plants. The good news is mushrooms generally do not damage plants. In fact, some mushrooms are beneficial because they help break down organic matter in the soil, releasing nutrients for plant roots.
However, even if not directly harmful, mushrooms are unsightly invaders that need to be controlled. Left unchecked, mushrooms can take over potted plants. Plus, some mushroom species are toxic, which can pose a danger to kids and pets if ingested.
Tips to Stop Mushrooms from Growing
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to create an environment unfavorable to mushroom growth and stop them from invading your potted plants. Here are some useful tips:
Use Sterile Potting Mix
Potting soil can contain mushroom spores right out of the bag. When re-potting plants, use a sterile commercial potting mix rather than garden soil which may harbor fungi. Commercial mixes are pasteurized to kill pathogens.
Improve Drainage
Mushrooms thrive in moist conditions. Improve drainage by using containers with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix amended with perlite or vermiculite. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Increase Light Exposure
Place potted plants in bright, well-lit locations. Mushrooms prefer dark, shady spots. Increased light exposure discourages mushroom growth.
Promote Air Circulation
Stagnant, humid air encourages fungal growth. Place a small fan near plants to improve air flow. Also, avoid overcrowding plants which reduces air circulation.
Remove Organic Debris
Clear dead leaves, stems and other debris from the soil surface which can harbor spores. Also, don’t bury organic matter in potted plants.
Lower Humidity
Use a dehumidifier, avoid misting plants, and space plants away from humidifiers or other sources of moisture.Humidity above 60% facilitates mushroom growth.
Apply Fungicide Drench
For severe infestations, use a systemic fungicide drench like thiophanate methyl which is absorbed by plant roots. Always follow label directions carefully. Repeat applications may be needed.
Repot Annually
Repotting plants in fresh sterile soil annually helps eliminate any mushroom spores that may have blown in. Discard old potting mix which may contain fungi.
What to Do if You See Mushrooms
If you spot mushrooms growing in a potted plant, take action right away. Here’s a quick summary of what to do:
- Remove mushrooms manually, wearing gloves to protect hands
- Dispose of mushrooms and surrounding soil in a sealed plastic bag
- Allow soil to dry out more between waterings
- Move plant to a sunnier location
- Apply fungicide drench if mushrooms persist
- Repot plant in sterile soil to eliminate spores
Be diligent about checking potted plants frequently for signs of mushrooms. Taking quick action at the first sign of fungus will help eradicate mushrooms and prevent damaging infestations.
Final Thoughts
While managing moisture levels, light exposure, and cleanliness may seem like a lot of work, taking these preventative steps will save you headaches in the long run. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure when it comes to stopping mushrooms from invading your potted plants!
Stay vigilant, promote an unfavorable environment for fungi, and act quickly at first signs of mushrooms. With some effort and care, you can safely enjoy your potted plants mushroom-free!
What causes mushrooms in houseplants?
The spores that grow into mushrooms are tiny, so they can float in from anywhere. They may have drifted into your plantâs soil during the growing process. They may have come from another plant in your home, or even brushed off your clothes.
They love moisture. They particularly thrive in summer, when the soil is moist and warm. Overwatered plants with very wet soil are more likely to grow mushrooms.
Are the mushrooms dangerous?
They wonât cause any harm to your plants, but they are toxic to humans and animals if eaten.
If you choose to just leave them – perhaps you like the look – it wonât affect your plant.
How To Get Rid Of Mushrooms In Houseplants
FAQ
Why is a mushroom growing in my potted plant?
The mushrooms are growing because all the conditions are right and the potting soil is decomposing. It’s natural for potting soil, which contains shredded bark, compost, and peat moss, to decompose over the years. The only real fix is to repot your plants with fresh potting soil.
How to get rid of mushrooms in potted plants?
Aerate potting soil
Mushrooms mainly develop in places where the soil is moist and poorly ventilated. By ensuring that the potting soil is a bit more aerated and can dry out better between waterings, you can ensure that the soil can continue to “breathe” better.
How do you kill mushrooms without killing plants?
Dish Soap and Water
Keep the dish soap open for the mushrooms. Locate your unwanted mushrooms and pluck them from the ground, adding a few drops of dish soap and water agent to their stems to burn the mycelium and discourage further growth.
Does vinegar stop mushrooms from growing?
Spray with a vinegar solution
This mixture will desiccate the mushrooms, killing them. Be careful not to get the vinegar solution on your garden plants or grass. Vinegar is often used as a DIY herbicide, but it is non-selective and will damage (and potentially kill) any plant material it touches.
How to get rid of mushrooms growing in houseplants?
To get rid of mushrooms growing in houseplants, the easiest and quickest method is to remove them. This removes the source of fungal spores and prevents the spread to other plants.
How do you prevent mushrooms from growing in potted plants?
Another way to prevent mushrooms from growing in your potted plants is to remove dead leaves and debris. Fungi and spores can grow on dead leaves and debris, so removing them from your potting mix is important. 4. Avoid Crowding When you’re potting your plants, avoid crowding them.
How do you remove mushrooms from a houseplant?
To eliminate it, you need to repot the plant or pick the mushroom out by the stem. Mushrooms appearing in your houseplants can signify that you have overwatered your plant, the soil is heavy, or there are some spores present in your plant beforehand. Warm, moist, and humid conditions promote the growth of mushrooms in houseplants.
How do you get rid of mushrooms in a pot?
Try plucking them out by the stems rather than the caps along with some of the surrounding soil. If this does not do the trick, you can try removing the top half-inch of the soil. Should the mushrooms still be an issue, repotting the plant in a new pot with new soil would be another method for dealing with the issue.
How to keep mushrooms from coming back after removing them?
To keep mushrooms from coming back after you manually remove them, it is important to avoid overwatering plants, and you should also ensure that the pots have drainage holes. Repotting a plant by discarding the existing potting mix and replacing it with a sterilized growing medium also helps.
What if I see Mushrooms in my potted plants?
If you’ve spotted mushrooms in your potted plants, don’t panic – they’re often harmless but need attention. While mushrooms indicate rich organic matter, they can signal overwatering and poor drainage issues that might harm your plants. Start by removing the mushrooms carefully with gloves, then address the root causes.