Why Do Mushrooms Grow in Potted Plants?

You may have noticed little yellow mushrooms sprouting from the soil of your houseplants. Houseplants and mushrooms prefer similar living conditions: warm, moist soil and humid air. While they may be unsightly, the truth is that these kinds of mushrooms, saprophytes, actually break down dead organic matter, which can benefit your plant. There is no need to remove them unless they risk being eaten.

A mushroom is the reproductive structure of a fungus, where it holds all its spores. Mycelium is the fungus that sprouts the mushrooms; it is located in the soil. The yellow parasol is the saprophyte that breaks down dead organic matter in the soil.

Iowa State University identifies the most common houseplant mushrooms as Lepiota lutea, also known as yellow parasol or flowerpot parasol, because of its frequent appearance in flowerpots. It is lemon yellow-colored and one to three inches tall with a one to two inch bell-shaped cap. It may grow singly or in clusters. These mushrooms can grow all year long, but may be more frequent in warm weather, when conditions are warm and humid and the soil is regularly moist.

The fungus was probably introduced in the potting soil. It is not harmful unless eaten, in which case it is poisonous. It in unnecessary to remove the mushrooms, unless they are really bothering you or you fear they may be eaten by a child or a pet.

Remove the caps to remove the source of the reproductive spores and stop the spread of the mushrooms to other houseplants. You might also try scraping away the top two inches of the soil and replacing it with new, clean soil. There is a chance that the fungus may regrow if you choose to scrape the soil.

Change the conditions of the soil. Provide an environment with less humidity, moisture and warmth. Be aware that although this plan of action may make a less hospitable environment for the mushrooms, it also threatens the health of the plant, which happens to like the same conditions as mushrooms.

You can try to change the soil, but this is risky because there is a good chance of root stress, since roots are not meant to be washed of their soil. If you decide to change the soil, understand that there is a good chance some of the fungus will cling to the roots and reproduce in the new soil.