Asked on Oct 19, 2014

How do I stop mushrooms from growing in my houseplant?

Gabby
by Gabby
So, I have this umbrella tree which I recently repotted, ever since I added new potting soil it has been growing these little mushrooms. It's not a huge deal, but I'd rather not have them (my 3 year old asked if he could eat one). Anyone know how to stop the mushrooms without killing the plant?
The most recent one that showed up this morning.
  13 answers
  • TwilaB TwilaB on Oct 19, 2014
    Mushrooms grow due to a fungus in the soil; I get them in my lawn. I carefully remove them, from the bottom of their stem, then treat with a mixture of water and dish soap. Only need a little soap. Should not hurt your tree.
  • Gabby Gabby on Oct 19, 2014
    Awesome, thank you!
  • Jen Jen on Oct 19, 2014
    Just repot with different soil....Mushrooms are just a sign of healthy microbes...but with kids...also could add some mulch to it
  • Carole Carole on Oct 19, 2014
    You are lucky that your child asked and did not go ahead and try to eat this fungus. Could be poisonous if it is a toadstool and not a mushroom. Maybe there was mushroom compost in the potting mix you used. If TwilaB's solution does not work then I would repot using new clean potting mix.
  • Christine Brown Christine Brown on Oct 20, 2014
    @13 results are available, use up and down arrow keys to navigate.hometalkDid them out, roots and all. Through them away.
  • change all of the soil and then repot
  • Deb Deb on Oct 20, 2014
    I don't know if this works, but I heard that spreading cornmeal on soil will kill fungus. Has anyone ever tried this?
  • TwilaB TwilaB on Oct 20, 2014
    Not the cornmeal you use for recipes. Check out this site! http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Cornmeal-Uses-and-Reports_vq18.htm Or, in your search browser box, type in "cornmeal in the garden".
  • Gabby Gabby on Oct 20, 2014
    Lots of good ideas here, thanks all, I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
  • Ken   Newman Ken Newman on Oct 20, 2014
    eat them
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 20, 2014
    Even if you replace the soil, they may come back. The safest thing to do, for your plant and for your child, is to simply remove them as soon as they appear.
  • Angela Oravetz Angela Oravetz on Oct 20, 2014
    I worked a few years in a garden center, and had this question before. It may not be your total answer to repot, but that will help. "Toadstools" are a fungus that, once in the soil, will continue to show up. However, this fungus loves moist, shady areas. Make sure you have adequate drainage for your pot. Let your soul dry out occasionally. Also, it will benefit your plant as well as help stop the fungus, if you will rotate your plant once or twice a week. It assists even growth, and stops fungus from taking hold as readily. There are also sprays (some organic) that you can use to thwart that kind of growth. Check with a local nursery. Good luck!
  • Suzette Trimmer Suzette Trimmer on Feb 14, 2015
    To prevent them from even occurring try a lot of air circulation and more sunlight just slightly. Though everyone's else answers here are also terrific, Good Luck.