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Stinkhorn Mushrooms in Potted Plants: Harmless but Unsightly

Mushrooms in a soil

Question: Mushrooms appear when watering potted plant. Started months ago. How to get rid of them?

Identification

Stinkhorn mushrooms. Not harmful—they indicate healthy soil with decomposing organic matter (usually mulch). Most is underground; visible part is reproductive structure.

Control

Break off emerging mushrooms to prevent spore spread. They'll disappear over time. Fungicide treatment possible but unnecessary. Usually appear late summer after rain—just knock them over.

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