Houseplant clinic: what are the tiny mushrooms growing in the soil of my plant?

"What you are seeing are the fruiting bodies of fungi that were already present in the compost they're very common and usually nothing to panic about. These fungi thrive in moist, organic-rich soil, and mushrooms appear when conditions are just right, often after a period of regular watering and warm weather. While not harmful to your plant, they are toxic if eaten, so keep them out of reach of children and pets."

"You can pinch or cut the mushrooms off at the soil level and dispose of them. This will not eliminate the fungus, since it lives in the soil, but it will prevent the spread of spores. If you want to control their return, replace the top layer of soil or repot your plant in fresh compost. Prevention Mushrooms are a sign of healthy microbial life in the soil."

Mushrooms appearing in houseplant soil are fruiting bodies of fungi already present in the compost, common in moist, organic-rich potting mix. They thrive after regular watering and warm temperatures and generally do not harm the plant. Visible mushrooms can be toxic if eaten, so keep them away from children and pets. Remove mushrooms by pinching or cutting at soil level and disposing; this reduces spores but does not eradicate the fungus. For longer control, replace the topsoil or repot in fresh compost. To prevent recurrence, allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings and avoid waterlogged pots.

Read at www.theguardian.com