I'd lost hope in reviving my dehydrated plants until I discovered mushroom water – an organic tonic you can make yourself, and it's not as crazy as it sounds

If your garden is looking a little tired and dehydrated after scorching summer temperatures, there's one solution to turn to: mushroom water.

This is one of the best garden hacks for watering plants that will help rehydrate your plants, improve soil structure, and support plant health. It's as simple as steeping mushrooms in water and then using it in the garden. The nutrients found in this mushroom-soaked water then do all the work.

It's a great hack to try if you are concerned about the soil health in your yard and if your plants haven't been performing their best through drier spells. Here, we take a closer look at how to use mushroom water in the garden and why it is so beneficial for plants.

Is mushroom water good for plants?

The reason mushroom water is good for plants is because of the essential plant nutrients found in it.

'Mushrooms are excellent at absorbing and storing water, acting like natural sponges that can retain this moisture for extended periods and gradually release it into the surrounding soil,' explains Drew Swainston, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens.

It's for this reason you mustn't be concerned if you find mushrooms growing in your flower bed. It's actually a sign of healthy soil with good moisture retention.

'Any water you use for soaking mushrooms is hugely beneficial, as it will be nutrient-rich and contain mycelium,' Drew says. 'These root-like fungal threads themselves are small but mighty, capable of absorbing and retaining moisture, which they will slowly release to plants when used as a liquid feed,' he explains.

Alongside mycelium, mushroom water is potassium and phosphorus-rich (just like mushroom compost from Amazon) which aids root development, as well as nutrient and moisture movement through plants. Mushroom water is therefore a gentle tonic and organic alternative to chemical fertilizers.

'Mycelia will encourage more fungal activity in the soil around your plants, which benefits soil health and moisture retention,' Drew says. 'Increased microbial activity in the soil benefits all plants,' he adds.

Alongside improved moisture management, the soil structure is benefited from this microbial activity. This results in soil being more crumbly and reduces compaction, making it easier for plant roots to grow and soak up nutrients and moisture.

Drew Swainston

Drew qualified as a journalist and wrote for many websites and publications, before studying for a horticulture qualification. He worked as a professional gardener for several years, specializing in kitchen gardening. He's now bringing his expertise and passion to Homes & Gardens as a member of our team. 

How to use mushroom water on plants

As mentioned, mushroom water is particularly beneficial during and after hot spells, making it a great tool for protecting plants in a heatwave and enabling them to take up more moisture to recover.

But, it's also just an eco-friendly gardening solution to use year-round to boost the nutrients available to your plants and improve your soil type.

To use mushroom water on plants, you simply need to cut up some fresh mushrooms (like these from Walmart) and steep them in water for 24 hours.

Remove the mushrooms and use the water around the base of your plants where it will slowly release nutrients into the soil.

FAQs

Which are the best mushrooms for mushroom water for plants?

While all mushrooms can be steeped in water to create a nutrient-rich mushroom water for plants, the best mushrooms to use are oyster mushrooms (from Amazon) and wine cap mushrooms (kit from Amazon), which are known to improve soil and water uptake.

Although mushroom water is beneficial to plants, to best support their health, you should pair this hack with other methods. This includes mulching (like with this bark chip from Amazon) and watering early in the morning to best hydrate plants.

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