What is the White Stuff in potting soil?
Most often, the white stuff in potting soil is perlite – a manufactured granular product made by heating up little bits of naturally occurring glass until they pop like popcorn. That’s why these little white lumps are also known as “volcanic popcorn”!
Should I be worried about this White Stuff on my Garden?
There is absolutely no need to worry - 'ignore it' is the correct advice. This white deposit is called mycelium. It is a naturally occurring fungus whose job it is to breakdown organic material. You'll find it on bits of wood buried in the soil, on rotting straw or woody bits in compost heaps,...
What is the white fuzzy stuff on my houseplant?
This white fuzzy “mold” is actually a fungus. Although its presence can indicate a problem with watering, it does not necessarily mean that the plant itself is sick or that it is going to die. Basically, don’t panic about it. A photograph showing a white mold-like substance growing on the soil of a house plant.
What is the white mold on my house plant soil?
A photograph showing a white mold-like substance growing on the soil of a house plant. Although this fungus is harmless to humans, it does indicate that there could be a problem with the soil. Furthermore, it can be unsightly.
How do you get rid of white fungus in soil?
Vinegar is a proven method for destroying mold and eliminating pesky white spots from your plants. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quart of water, and spray onto your infected leaves and stems. Repeat every few days until all traces of mold are gone.
Is white mold in soil harmful?
A white mold growing over the surface of houseplant potting soil is usually a harmless saprophytic fungus. Although the fungus doesn't damage the plant, it is unsightly and indicates that there is a problem.
Why does my soil have white mold?
Remove Debris From Houseplant Soil- white mold on soil often gets out of hand because there is too much decaying plant matter for it to feed off of in the form of dead and wilted leaves.
Why is my soil getting moldy?
Mold usually grows for a number of common reasons such as overwatering, poor drainage, and sometimes even using soil with soggy decaying organic matter or previously contaminated soil.
Is plant mold harmful to humans?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold exposure can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, and skin irritation.
Can plant mold make you sick?
Mold Reactions: Who's at Risk? For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath.
How do I get rid of white mold in my garden?
1:022:25how to get rid of mold in plant soil - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBelow so it is easy for you to find so what we need is hydrogen peroxide of course a spray bottle.MoreBelow so it is easy for you to find so what we need is hydrogen peroxide of course a spray bottle. And some water. So what we need to do is mix. One part of hydrogen peroxide to nine parts of water
Can you use potting soil that has mold in it?
It is OK to use mouldy potting mix because most of the mold that develops on the surface of the potting mix is a harmless fungus. If there is a lot of mold growth, you can try to remove it from the potting mix. You can throw away the potting mix only as a last resort.
What is the white fungus that breaks down organic matter?
There is absolutely no need to worry - 'ignore it' is the correct advice. This white deposit is called mycelium. It is a naturally occurring fungus whose job it is to breakdown organic material. You'll find it on bits of wood buried in the soil, on rotting straw or woody bits in compost heaps, on leafmould and manure in the soil - the list is almost endless. You're unlikely to find it in soil which never has bulky organic material added, so clearly some gardens will have more than others.
Can you see factsheets on Garden Organic?
Garden Organic members can see our expert factsheets for further advice on organic gardening. Access to factsheets requires a members' password.
What is white mold on potting soil?
White mold on houseplant soil. If you’ve ever owned a houseplant, then it is likely that you’ve come across white mold growing on top of the potting soil. This white fuzzy “mold” is actually a fungus.
What is causing this white mold to grow on my plant?
This white mold / fungus will typically appear if you have been over-watering the plant. Over-watering can lead to soil that is waterlogged. This creates the perfect conditions for fungus to thrive in. It loves moisture.
What causes white fuzz?
To sum it up, fungus can appear when you combine waterlogged soil and decaying organic matter. Once you put these two together, you’ve created a recipe for white fuzz.
Why do mushrooms appear on lawns?
In that article, I pointed out that fungus will appear when there is organic matter for it to feed on. The exact same thing is happening in this case. The saprophytic fungi that appears on houseplants likes to feed on dead plant matter. For example, a dead leaf that has become embedded in the soil.
How to improve drainage of flower pots?
One technique to help improve drainage is to place rocks or small stones at the bottom of the pot. This can help any excess water to escape. If your flower pot is inside of a much larger pot, then you should periodically check to make sure that water hasn’t been pooling at the end of it.
Does cinnamon kill white mold?
Using cinnamon to kill white mold. In other help articles and Youtube videos, I have seen people recommending cinnamon. Although sprinkling cinnamon on top of the soil may help to dry it out, it does not address the underlying issue. As a result, it is likely that the fungus will reappear at some point.
Is white mold a problem?
Although this fungus is harmless to humans, it does indicate that there could be a problem with the soil. Furthermore, it can be unsightly. Nobody wants to look at a carpet of white fuzz growing across the soil ...
