An important reason most people grow houseplants is to bring some of the outdoors inside. But normally people want green plants, not little mushrooms. Mushrooms growing in houseplant soil is a common problem.
Aloe plants are popular houseplants known for their healing gel and succulent leaves. However, aloe owners are sometimes surprised to find mushrooms sprouting from the soil of their plants. Mushrooms growing in the potting mix are not a cause for alarm but rather a sign that conditions need adjustment. With a few simple fixes the mushrooms can be eliminated without harming the aloe.
What Causes Mushrooms to Grow in Aloe Plants?
Mushrooms popping up in aloe pots are caused by excess moisture in the soil. The spores of common saprophytic fungi are present nearly everywhere. When the soil of container plants stays wet for extended periods, these spores germinate and produce mushroom fruiting bodies.
Aloe vera and related aloe species are native to hot, arid regions. In their natural habitat, these succulents experience infrequent rainfalls and dry out thoroughly between waterings. But when kept as houseplants, aloes are often watered too frequently, creating an environment conducive to mushroom growth.
Overwatering is the primary reason mushrooms sprout from aloe soil. Other factors like poor drainage dense shade and inadequate air circulation can also contribute to excess moisture. Low light and high humidity causes the soil to dry out slower. And when water cannot drain freely from the roots, it accumulates in the potting mix.
Are Mushrooms Harmful to Aloe Plants?
The small white or brown mushrooms that pop up in aloe pots are not harmful to the plants. These fungal fruiting structures take nutrients from decaying organic matter in the soil. Unlike plant pathogens, common saprophytic mushrooms do not directly feed on living plant tissue.
However, the excess moisture that enables mushrooms to grow can damage aloe plant roots. Prolonged wet conditions makes roots prone to rot and can encourage harmful fungal or bacterial diseases. Good drainage and an appropriate watering schedule prevents these problems and keeps aloes healthy.
Though not inherently dangerous, mushrooms look unsightly and indicate environmental issues need correction. Simple adjustments to aloe care will banish mushrooms and prevent more serious complications.
How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Aloe Plants
Eliminating mushrooms from aloe plants involves tweaking care to allow the potting mix to dry out more between waterings. Here are some tips to create less favorable conditions for fungal growth:
-
Water less frequently. Cut back on watering to every 10-14 days in summer and less in winter. Wait until the soil is mostly dry before soaking again.
-
Improve drainage. Repot aloes in a fast-draining cactus/succulent mix. Add perlite or small gravel to increase aeration and drainage.
-
Let the soil dry out. Allow the potting mix to dry thoroughly before resuming normal watering. Place pots on absorbent towels to wick moisture away.
-
Increase sunlight. Give aloes bright, indirect light to help the soil dry faster. Rotate plants periodically to prevent uneven growth.
-
Increase air circulation. Use a small fan to keep air moving around aloes. Open windows or run air conditioning regularly.
-
Remove mushrooms. Pluck mushrooms at the base when they appear. Discard in household waste, not the compost pile.
Adjusting water, light, and air flow makes the environment less welcoming to mushrooms. With proper aloe vera care, the fungi will disappear within a few weeks. Be patient, as the spores may persist in the potting mix even if conditions improve.
When to Repot Aloe Plants
If mushrooms continue sprouting after you’ve modified care, the aloe likely needs repotting. Aging or waterlogged potting soil provides ideal mushroom habitat. Repotting gives the roots a fresh start in new, well-draining soil.
Here are signs it’s time to repot aloe plants:
- Mushrooms repeatedly appear after changing care.
- Roots are crowded and encircling the drainage holes.
- Water starts pooling on the surface rather than absorbing.
- Soil seems dense, compressed, or retains too much moisture.
Use a porous cactus/succulent blend when repotting. Choose a container with drainage holes that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the old pot. Carefully remove the aloe, loosen roots, and reposition in the new container. Fill gaps with fresh soil.
After reporting, allow the plant to recover in a shady spot for a week before resuming normal care. This gives broken roots time to heal before exposing them to more intense light and drying conditions.
Enjoying Healthy, Mushroom-Free Aloe Plants
With a little detective work, excess moisture can be corrected to banish mushrooms from aloe vera plants. Pay close attention to how long the soil takes to dry out when troubleshooting watering issues. Aim for an appropriate wet-dry cycle to match these succulents’ natural environment.
Prevent problems by choosing containers with drainage holes, using well-aerated potting mixes, and following recommended watering guidelines. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly before watering again. Improve air circulation and properly increase sunlight exposure. Repot when necessary to refresh aging soil.
Making suitable adjustments to aloe care will resolve mushroom problems and keep these easy-going succulents healthy. With the right conditions, aloe plants can be enjoyed indoors for many years without fungi invasions.
Getting Rid of Mushrooms in Houseplants
Unfortunately, this is no easy task. It is hard to get rid of the spores and fungus that cause mushrooms once the soil is infected, but here are some things you can try:
- Take off the caps. As soon as you take off the caps, you get rid of the source of the spores that cause mushrooms to grow in houseplant soil. That way, mushrooms won’t be able to get to your other plants.
- The top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil should be scraped off. Taking the soil out of the plant pot and putting it back on might help, but the fungus might come back and the mushrooms will come back.
- Switch up the soil—Shifting up the soil might help get rid of mushrooms. As one problem, washing or rinsing off all the soil from a plant’s roots is not good for them. The fungus may still be there and grow again from the soil that is still on the roots of the houseplant.
- Mix fungicide into the soil. Mixing fungicide into the soil of houseplants may help get rid of mushrooms, but remember that if not all of the fungus is killed, the mushrooms will come back. You might have to do this treatment more than once to get rid of the fungus for good.
- Change the weather. Less humidity in the air, less water in the soil, or a cooler temperature will limit the number of mushrooms that grow. The bad news is that the conditions that are good for mushrooms are also good for most houseplants. If you change the conditions, you might hurt the houseplant.
It’s hard to get rid of mushrooms in houseplants, but mushrooms that grow in plant soil won’t hurt your plant or you unless you eat them. You may want to consider just letting them grow. If you want to get really silly, you could put some animal or fairy figurines next to them to make your home look like a forest garden.
An important reason most people grow houseplants is to bring some of the outdoors inside. But normally people want green plants, not little mushrooms. Mushrooms growing in houseplant soil is a common problem.
What Causes Mushrooms Growing in Houseplant Soil?
Mushrooms growing in houseplants are caused by a fungus. The mushrooms are the fruit of that fungus. One of the most common mushrooms found growing in houseplants is the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii. If it’s not fully grown yet, this light yellow mushroom will have a flat or balled cap.
Spores that cause mushrooms to grow in houseplant soil are usually brought in by soilless mix that has been tainted. But occasionally, they can be introduced through other means such as airborne movement or spores brushing off clothing.
Most frequently, mushrooms will appear in houseplants in the summer when conditions are right for them. In contrast to lawn mushrooms, which like it cool and damp, houseplant mushrooms like it warm, damp, and humid.
Mushrooms on top of Soil on Houseplants and is it Harmful ?
FAQ
Why is a mushroom growing in my aloe?
Should I remove mushrooms from my plants?
What does it mean when a mushroom grows in your plant?
What kind of mushrooms grow in houseplants?
White mushrooms are another type of mushrooms that grow in houseplants which often belong to Leucopcoprinus birnbaumii. The color of them is white and you can see gills on the undersides of their cap too. In the following, you can see its picture and compare it with your mushroom growing in your indoor plant.
Why do mushrooms grow in houseplants?
The spores that are the cause of mushrooms growing in houseplant soil is normally introduced by contaminated soilless mix. But occasionally, they can be introduced through other means such as airborne movement or spores brushing off clothing. Most frequently, mushrooms will appear in houseplants in the summer when conditions are right for them.
Can mushrooms grow in damp soil?
Mushrooms like growing in damp soil. They are highly unlikely to grow if the soil isn’t wet. Whilst having mushrooms growing in your houseplants isn’t necessarily a sign that you’re overwatering your plants – it’s always worth checking the roots, just in case.
Does your houseplant soil support a mushroom?
All that we know is that your houseplant soil has the right amount of moisture and nutrients to support a mushroom. It has little bearing on the health of your plant, but if your plant is, e.g. a snake plant that likes to dry out a lot, it may be time to check the roots and soil and ensure it’s not staying too wet for too long.
