Often the strangest mushrooms grow in the flower pot alongside the most beautiful plants. White, brown or even yellow caps develop on thin stalks. Some mushrooms are pretty to look at, but they have no place in a flower pot.
Why do mushrooms appear in flower pots and how can you avoid them?
Mushrooms in flower pots arise from decomposing processes in humus-rich soil, high humidity and water content. To avoid fungus formation, you should prevent waterlogging, use high-quality soil, ventilate regularly and only water when the top layer of soil is dry.
Why do mushrooms grow in flower pots?
Mushrooms always grow where decomposition processes of organic material take place. They are found on soils that have a high proportion of humus. This is often the case even with simple potting soils if there is too much peat or peat substitutes. The humidity, the amount of water in the soil and the room temperature also play a role.
Are the mushrooms harmful to people or plants?
First of all, the fungi do not harm the plants. However, there are species that cover the surface in the flower pot with a water-repellent layer. Not enough water then reaches the roots and the supply of oxygen is also insufficient.
The fungi release their spores into the air and can therefore trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Sometimes yellow mushrooms grow in flower pots. This is usually the yellow folded umbrella. Since there are still no sufficient studies on its toxicity, the fungus should definitely be removed if there are children in the house. Since the mushroom looks interesting, curious children might get the idea to snack on it.
Measures against fungi in flower pots
If you discover mushrooms in your flower pots, take the following immediate measures:
- Place the infected pot outdoors.
- Ventilate the apartment so that possible spores are blown out.
- Repot the plant.
- Remove the infected soil and shake off the roots well.
- Reduce the size of the root ball by about a quarter.
- Clean the pot inside and out with a brush and vinegar water.
- Make sure there is a clear drain hole.
- Add a drainage layer to the flower pot.
- Put your plant back in and use high-quality potting soil (€379.00 on Amazon).
- Put the soil contaminated with fungus in a sealed bag in the trash.
How to avoid the appearance of fungus
If a few rules are followed when planting flower pots, fungus formation can be largely avoided.
- Avoid waterlogging by creating drainage made of expanded clay or pottery shards
- the drainage hole in the pot must be free
- avoid high humidity in the room (for houseplants)
- ventilate regularly (for houseplants)
- only water when the top layer of soil has dried out
- Water the plant from below if possible
- Always only use high-quality soil when planting
