Cladosporium in the yard and garden
Moderate risk for your yardCladosporium is the most common airborne mold genus globally, with C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, and C. sphaerospermum being the dominant species. Outdoor concentrations peak in summer/autumn at 10,000-50,000 spores/m3 in temperate climates. Dark olive-green to brown colonies with velvety texture; spores are characteristically shield-shaped (scutuloconidium) and pigmented (melanized). Primary health significance is allergenic rather than infectious or toxicogenic. Cladosporium allergens (Cla h 1-12) are among the most common aeroallergen sensitizers: 10-60% of allergic individuals show positive skin prick tests to Cladosporium extracts. Strong epidemiological association with allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation. IgE cross-reactivity with Alternaria allergens is documented. Cladosporium is an uncommon cause of infection (chromoblastomycosis, keratitis, brain abscess) primarily in immunocompromised patients — extremely rare in immunocompetent hosts. Indoor presence: commonly found on window frames, shower curtains, HVAC coils, and any damp surface. Does not require as much water as Stachybotrys — can grow at water activity as low as 0.85.
What is cladosporium?
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Risk for people, pets,
Moderate riskCladosporium is the most common airborne mold genus globally, with C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, and C. sphaerospermum being the dominant species. Outdoor concentrations peak in summer/autumn at 10,000-50,000 spores/m3 in temperate climates. Dark olive-green to brown colonies with velvety texture; spores are characteristically shield-shaped (scutuloconidium) and pigmented (melanized). Primary health significance is allergenic rather than infectious or toxicogenic. Cladosporium allergens (Cla h 1-12) are among the most common aeroallergen sensitizers: 10-60% of allergic individuals show positive skin prick tests to Cladosporium extracts. Strong epidemiological association with allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation. IgE cross-reactivity with Alternaria allergens is documented. Cladosporium is an uncommon cause of infection (chromoblastomycosis, keratitis, brain abscess) primarily in immunocompromised patients — extremely rare in immunocompetent hosts. Indoor presence: commonly found on window frames, shower curtains, HVAC coils, and any damp surface. Does not require as much water as Stachybotrys — can grow at water activity as low as 0.85.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Cladosporium.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | — | — |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where your yard encounter cladosporium
- Outdoor Air (Ubiquitous) — Everywhere globally, Peak in summer/autumn
- Indoor Environment — Window frames, Shower curtains, HVAC coils, Damp surfaces
Frequently asked questions
Is cladosporium safe for your yard?
Cladosporium is the most common airborne mold genus globally, with C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, and C. sphaerospermum being the dominant species. Outdoor concentrations peak in summer/autumn at 10,000-50,000 spores/m3 in temperate climates. Dark olive-green to brown colonies with velvety texture; spores are characteristically shield-shaped (scutuloconidium) and pigmented (melanized). Primary health significance is allergenic rather than infectious or toxicogenic. Cladosporium allergens (Cla h 1-12) are among the most common aeroallergen sensitizers: 10-60% of allergic individuals show positive skin prick tests to Cladosporium extracts. Strong epidemiological association with allergic rhinitis and asthma exacerbation. IgE cross-reactivity with Alternaria allergens is documented. Cladosporium is an uncommon cause of infection (chromoblastomycosis, keratitis, brain abscess) primarily in immunocompromised patients — extremely rare in immunocompetent hosts. Indoor presence: commonly found on window frames, shower curtains, HVAC coils, and any damp surface. Does not require as much water as Stachybotrys — can grow at water activity as low as 0.85.
What products contain cladosporium?
Cladosporium appears in: Everywhere globally (Outdoor air (ubiquitous)); Peak in summer/autumn (Outdoor air (ubiquitous)); Window frames (Indoor environment); Shower curtains (Indoor environment).
See Cladosporium in the outdoor app
Look up products containing cladosporium, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in outdoor View raw API dataSources (2)
- PubChem (2026) — database
- ALETHEIA fungi compound batch (2026) — batch_creation
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →