Photo: © PlantoScanPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Shaggy Scalycap Plant Care
Pholiota squarrosa
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This mushroom has striking, shaggy scales covering its cap, giving it a unique appearance. Originally from North America and Europe, Pholiota squarrosa is highly sought after by plant collectors for its ornamental value and ability to add texture to garden landscapes.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
55–75°F
90–95%
At a glance
How do you care for Shaggy Scalycap?
Water Shaggy Scalycap every 7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 55–75°F (13–24°C) and 90–95% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Shaggy Scalycap Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
What Is the Shaggy Scalycap?
Shaggy Scalycap (Pholiota squarrosa) belongs to the Strophariaceae family within the Pholiota genus. Shaggy Scalycap is native to North America, Europe. Shaggy Scalycap is also known as Scaly Pholiota.
Shaggy Scalycap displays a decomposing, mycelial, seasonal growth habit, reaching up to 0.3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.1 ft. Shaggy Scalycap produces small, inconspicuous, often brownish.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Shaggy Scalycap?
Pholiota squarrosa requires watering every 7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Shaggy Scalycap Need?
Shaggy Scalycap thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Shaggy Scalycap in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Shaggy Scalycap Prefer?
Pholiota squarrosa grows best at temperatures of 55–75°F. Shaggy Scalycap prefers humidity levels of 90–95%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
55–75°F
Humidity
90–95%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Shaggy Scalycap?
Grows on decaying wood. Good drainage is essential for Shaggy Scalycap to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Shaggy Scalycap?
Feed Shaggy Scalycap every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Shaggy Scalycap?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Shaggy Scalycap?
Shaggy Scalycap can be propagated through dispersal of spores.
Is the Shaggy Scalycap Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic, indedible
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Shaggy Scalycap?
Shaggy Scalycap is susceptible to mites, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Shaggy Scalycap Need?
Shaggy Scalycap grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. Shaggy Scalycap is native to North America, Europe. In cooler regions, grow Shaggy Scalycap as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12b
Keep exploring plants
Shaggy Scalycap is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pholiota genus (family Strophariaceae) — search all Pholiota species in the plant lookup.
Shaggy Scalycap thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pholiota squarrosa, family Strophariaceae (first published in na) — World Flora Online.
- Pet toxicity: Shaggy Scalycap is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: © PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Shaggy Scalycap Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species