How to Grow and Care for Dog Vomit Slime Mold

Dog vomit slime mold (Fuligo septica) might appear to be a fungus, but it's not. It's part of the protist, not fungi, kingdom. So it's more closely related to an amoeba than a fungus. It is also known by another nickname—scrambled egg slime mold—because the fruiting body (the part you see) is light yellowish and looks a bit like scrambled eggs.

Dog vomit and other slime molds are saprophytic, which means they feed on decaying organic matter. You'll often find them in moist, shady areas and on materials such as mulch, rotting logs, leaf litter, and untreated lumber. They're most likely to show up during warm, wet periods—sometimes seeming to pop up overnight. They are not diseases and won't harm your plants. Still, they are not something most people go out of their way to plant because they're not visually appealing. Plus, the spores can spread quickly and easily and survive for years.

Is Dog Vomit Slime Mold Bad?

Bright, neon-yellow goop appearing suddenly from one day to the next can seem alarming, but it's not something to fear in this case. It's beneficial to the environment, a natural decomposer of organic material, making it usable in the soil as nutrients. Scientists have also discovered that this organism can turn heavy metals in the environment into inert substances.

Fuligo septica is also not harmful to humans or animals, although it might adversely affect people with allergic sensitivities. Researchers are looking at characteristics of this species to use in antibiotics, cancer-fighting, antimicrobials, and heavy metal chelation.

Dog Vomit Slime Mold Care

Slime molds like dog vomit produce wind-borne spores. They are highly resilient, requiring no care from you, and they can survive even during hot, dry weather. The spores also can remain viable for several years, waiting for conditions to be favorable for growth. When warm, moist conditions are present, the dormant spores absorb moisture and crack open to release a swarm sphere. Shortly after, the unsightly slime mold appears.

Fulgio septica often grows in wood mulches, along the sides of untreated wood, on compost, and sometimes in lawn grass, mainly if there's quite a bit of thatch in the lawn. Occasionally, it grows on plants that are growing in mulch. And if a large enough colony forms, it might smother the plant. This is uncommon, however, and you'll usually just find the mold in the mulch itself. After its growth phase, the fruiting body turns black, produces spores, and fades away.

Light

You will most often see this slime mold in shady areas. But it can appear in sunny spaces, too.

Soil

Dog vomit slime mold often appears on mulch or any decaying organic matter.

Water

Slime molds like wet conditions and moist substrates. The spores often germinate after heavy rain. And when the slime mold dries out due to a lack of moisture, the fruiting body will deteriorate. So if you want to get rid of it, don't water it and attempt to dry out the area where it is.

Temperature and Humidity

Slime molds prefer warm temperatures between roughly 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and wet, humid conditions. However, they can survive in many types of climates.

Fertilizer

Slime molds don't need fertilizer for growth, though they can live happily on a compost pile. They simply need decaying organic matter to feed on.

Controlling Dog Vomit Slime Mold

Dog vomit slime mold shouldn't appear often enough in most gardens to be a real issue, and it typically doesn't harm plants. The prolific spores will spread easily and remain in the organic material of the garden. But if you have it, it's nearly impossible to eradicate unless its natural predators are nearby, such as slugs, snails, and beetles.

Here are some steps you can take to minimize its impact:

1. Scoop It Out

   For dog vomit slime mold in mulched flower beds, use a shovel to scoop out the top layer of the mulch feeding the slime mold and dispose of it in an inconspicuous area. It is best not to dispose of it in your compost pile unless you practice hot composting. Otherwise, more of it might show up in your garden later via the compost.

2. Scrape It Off

   Dog vomit slime mold growing along lumber, or tree stumps can be scraped away with a trowel or small shovel and disposed of. But remember, you'll also release spores as you scrape the slime mold. So it might come back to a nearby location.

3. Rake It Away

   If it grows in your lawn or plants, gently rake it out as best as possible. Aerating it can dry it out, but beware, it may also spread the spores on the wind.

   Tip

   Avoid using a strong jet of water to dislodge slime mold since it will scatter the spores everywhere.

4. Switch to Inorganic Mulch

   Drier conditions should make it disappear. However, if dog vomit slime mold continues to be a problem, consider switching from wood-based mulches to inorganic mulch, such as gravel.