Chlorociboriaceae
Green Elfcup: Best for Low Light
Chlorociboria aeruginascens
This fungus requires a specific environment with decaying hardwood and very high humidity to thrive.
Every 2 days
Low light
5° - 25°C
75% - 98%
Categories
What is Green Elfcup?
Green Elfcup (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) is a hard-care plant from the Chlorociboriaceae family. Chlorociboria aeruginascens, known as the Green Elfcup, is a saprobic fungus famous for its ability to stain the wood it decomposes a deep, blue-green shade. The fruiting bodies are small, often only 2-5 mm wide, and have a characteristic cup or funnel shape. They typically grow on moist, barkless h...
Green Elfcup grows up to 1cm, spread of 20cm, watering every 2 days, 5°C – 25°C, 75–98% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike easy-care plants, Green Elfcup demands constant attention to humidity and light. Not recommended for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Green Elfcup is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Green Elfcup?
TLDR: Green Elfcup needs Low light, watering every 2 days, and temperatures between 5-25°C with 75-98% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Green Elfcup?
Ensure the wood the fungus grows on never dries out; daily misting is necessary.
How Much Light Does Green Elfcup Need?
Avoid direct sunlight; the fungus thrives best in deep shade or filtered light in forest environments.
What Is the Best Soil for Green Elfcup?
Does not grow in soil; use moist oak or beech logs as a substrate.
What Pot Should You Use for Green Elfcup?
Not suitable for traditional pot cultivation; requires natural wooden logs in a controlled humid environment.
Care Schedule
Misting
Every 1 days
What Is Green Elfcup and Where Does It Come From?
Chlorociboria aeruginascens, known as the Green Elfcup, is a saprobic fungus famous for its ability to stain the wood it decomposes a deep, blue-green shade. The fruiting bodies are small, often only 2-5 mm wide, and have a characteristic cup or funnel shape. They typically grow on moist, barkless hardwood, especially oak and beech. The green color in the wood is caused by the pigment xylindein, and this stained wood has been sought after for centuries for use in decorative woodwork such as marquetry.
How to Propagate Green Elfcup?
Spore propagation
- Use logs with high moisture content for best results.
- 1 Harvesting
Collect spores from mature, blue-green fruiting bodies found in nature during the fall.
- 2 Inoculation
Place the spores on fresh, moist cut surfaces of oak or beech logs.
- 3 Incubation
Keep the logs in a shaded, humid environment and protect them from drying out with plastic or moss.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Green Elfcup Grow?
TLDR: Green Elfcup can reach up to 1cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
1cm
Spread
20cm
Growth rate
Slow
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Represents nature's ability to create beauty through decomposition and transformation.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Anthurium | Hard | Partial shade | 7d | ⚠️ |
| Delicate violet orchid | Hard | Bright indirect | 2d | ✓ |
| Ivy Broomrape | Hard | Low light | 2d | ✓ |
| Baobab | Hard | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
