A 76-year-old grandfather from Victoria, Australia, has warned other gardeners after inhaling airborne bacteria from potting mix left him in a 10-day coma and hospitalised for three months. Stewart contracted a rare infection caused by Nocardia nova, a bacteria commonly found in soil, after failing to wear a mask while using Scotts Osmocote Premium Potting Mix, alongside two fungal infections and pneumonia. The case highlights the often-overlooked health risks posed by garden products, particularly for older or immunocompromised people.

Doctors at Ballarat Base Hospital took weeks to diagnose the illness, which began on 15 May when Stewart collapsed, hit his head and began vomiting uncontrollably. He and his wife, Reita, are now calling on manufacturers to display clearer, more prominent warnings on potting mix packaging, and health professionals recommend wearing a well-fitted P1 or P2 face mask when handling it. Scotts said it had no record of the incident but wished to speak with Stewart directly, adding that its packaging meets the Australian Standard AS 3743 and includes safety guidance.