skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

Mushrooms in ZZ plant

Dylan (NY, zone 5)

6 years ago

Hey everyone, I bought this zz plant a few months ago and repotted it in cactus soil, peat moss and perlite. Placed in a foyer that always has indirect to moderately bright sunlight. We water every two weeks or when it seems that the soil is pretty much dry. Within the pst week we have removed mushrooms that seem to be regrowing in different spots. Are they dangerous? I also have a smaller zz in the same room that I've had for a little longer that was planted with no peat and no perlite. With NO MUSHROOMS. Would everyone mind taking a look/ observing their health? Thanks so much!

Comments (5)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years ago
I don't think mushrooms are dangerous, but they indicate moisture that may be too much for the plant. Peat most likely keeps the mix too wet. I do not see reason for adding peat. Perlite helps drainage, but there should be more of it than what's visible in your photos.

How do you know that soil is "pretty much dry"? It may look dry on surface, but could be still quite wet deeper.
Dylan (NY, zone 5) thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
Dylan (NY, zone 5)
Original Author
6 years ago
I stick a wooden skewer in the soil and go by the temperature & colors of the clay pot
Related Discussions
ZZ plant - normal or pest?
Q
Comments (4)
Though the image of these things isn't very clear, it looks like one of the many species of artillery (or bird's nest) fungi. The fruiting bodies (the part you see above ground....mushrooms) are attached to the 'working' part of the fungal organism, the hyphae and mycelium. They would resemble roots. I suspect that you gave your plant a vacation outside last year and that the organic based potting medium was inoculated with the spores. These fungi (if that's what you have) are decomposers and not at all harmful to your plant, but I sure wouldn't want one of those species inside my home. The spores (what looks like seeds) are expelled far distances and stick to any and everything. Keep them removed and disposed of as soon as you see them. As I recall from a few years back, someone here in the gardenweb complained of mysterious black spots (that wouldn't wash off) on his living room wall and windows. One of these sneaky little mushrooms was to blame, lol. Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Wanted: Spider plant seed or ZZ plant seed
Q
Comments (0)
I'm looking for seeds from these two plants: chlorophytum comosum (Spider plant), full green leave variety. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamioculcas. These two common house plants are too easy to propagate from cuttings. For this reason it is very rare to find vendor that sells their seeds. I exclusively grow plants from seeds so please if you have them please let me know Thank you.
...See More
Rescued ZZ Plant has rocks in pot
Q
Comments (9)
media in a pot is a water management system .... it wears out .. and when it wears out.. wait for it.. you begin to have watering issues ... also.. when in a pot to long.. and root aggressively fill the pot/media... you .. wait for it.. end up with watering issues ... the media just cant hold the proper water for the plant.. between waterings ... sooo.. you either change your watering method .. or repot the plant in the next size pot.. with fresh new media ... forget what i said about propagating.. i find it hard to believe the second set of pix.. is the plant int he first set of pix.. go figure ... rocks in the bottom of a pot are an old wives tale about drainage.. you never need such ... and rocks on top.. are simply decorative ... the plant doesnt need them.. but maybe you do .. though i cant imagine why .. lol ... ken ps: i asked about drainage holes.. is the trivet behind and the saucer under it its usual perch ..... suggesting the saucer indicates the pot drains ... doesnt matter.. you need a bigger pot anyway ...
...See More
Tiny stalks in ZZ plant and yellowing stalks
Q
Comments (9)
ZZs grow two types of stalks. The ones that are typically at least the width of a pencil and they come out of the soil with the leaves tightly bound around them. Then they also grow these very small stalks that typically only have about 3 leaves on them. This is completely normal. The small stalks don't live too long. It has been hypothesized that these small stalks are produced to provide energy to the rhizome so it can generate the larger normal stalks. I usually let the small ones live and die on their own. Once they turn brown and crispy, I will cut them off where the stalk looks dead so I'm not cutting into green flesh. I hope this helps!
...See More
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years ago
Do you put the skewer all the way down? Tell us pls. how you interpret the skewer results?

I agree the peat is not helping. I'd add lots more perlite to that mix, it's too finely particled to afford the fast drainage this plant needs.

Personally, if mine, I'd repot into a 50/50 mix of C&S mix & perlite or pumice.

But I would add, I think your plant looks good & healthy.
Dylan (NY, zone 5)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Karen,

Yes skewer all the way down. I measure the dampness (if any) and residue on the skewer when I pull it out. If the skewer is not completely dry with little residue then I do not water.

4 days mushroom free.

repotting this big zz will be an undertaking for me...
HU-266035645
2 years ago
Same problem...

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Gardening Fun: Plant a Fairy Garden

By Alison Hodgson

It’s hard not to be captivated by the charm of a miniature garden in a pot. Here’s how to make one of your own

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

GARDENING GUIDES The Case for Buying Younger, Smaller Plants

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Less mature plants are more economical, are easier to plant and often grow more quickly

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Red Bird-of-Paradise Soars With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Fiery bursts of red-orange flowers bring hot summer gardens to life, while this shrub's drought tolerance keeps the living easy

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Try this giant among ferns for a showstopping sight in a shady or even somewhat sunny woodland garden

GARDENING GUIDES Do You Have This Invasive Plant in Your Yard?

By Pollination Press LLC

Garlic mustard is spreading across the U.S. Here’s how to spot it and what to do

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sensitive Fern Shows Its Strengths

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Wondering what will thrive in your wet, shady garden? It’s Onoclea sensibilis to the rescue

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Cyrtomium Falcatum ‘Rochfordianum’

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Adding Japanese holly fern to your woodland garden is a great way to celebrate the holidays and create lasting memories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Polystichum Polyblepharum

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

With great structure and year-round beauty, tassel fern earns its place in the shade garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Athyrium Filix-Femina

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

If you need a well-mannered plant that shines in the shade, lady fern is for you

Sponsored

KP Designs Group

50 Reviews

Franklin County's Unique and Creative Residential Interior Design Firm

More Discussions

Are cacti legal to sell online?

3

More curb appeal

3

Free plants or cuttings

5

21 year old Jade Plant 4ft tall Pruning Repotting Questions Concerns

3

Hens and chicks - help needed

4