Discover all 15 Whispering Root locations in Hollow Knight to collect Essence and unlock rewards from the Seer. Full guide with maps and tips!<\/b>
\nOf all the NPCs that the Knight will encounter during their quest in Hollow Knight, the Seer is one of the most important. After interacting with the statues in the Resting Grounds, players will be granted the Dream Nail\u2014a special item that allows players to cut through the veil and enter the realm of dreams.
The Dream Nail is used to interact with a variety of things throughout the game, including NPCs to read their innermost thoughts and fight the Dream Warriors. However, something that players may have seen around Hallownest are the odd tree-like growths. These are known as Whispering Roots, and, when struck with the Dream Nail, they expel Essence that can be collected and leave cryptic messages for players to decipher. Essence is used to power up the Dream Nail, and, depending on how much the player has accumulated, earns rewards from the Seer.
There are a total of 15 Whispering Roots that can be found in Hollow Knight. Players can either buy a pin from Iselda to mark their locations on the map (after the Dream Nail has been unlocked), or they can read on to find out exactly where these Whispering Roots can be found.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on October 26, 2025: This guide has been updated with new images and information to better assist players on their journey throughout Hallownest. Additionally, a new section has been added that details the Seer’s rewards in exchange for Essence (collected via the Whispering Roots).
Ancestral Mound Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

The Ancestral Mound is the area that players will be led to after defeating the False Knight. Players will remember that the Shaman Snail locked them inside this area after obtaining the Vengeful Spirit spell, which is used to defeat the Elder Baldur.
There is a side path in the left section of the Ancestral Mound where players can find a large Soul Totem, and above this is a Lifeblood Cocoon that grants temporary masks for the Knight.
This Whispering Root tree expels 42 Essence that players will need to collect to complete it. When the player uses the Dream Nail again, they will receive the message:
City of Tears Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

The City of Tears Whispering Root can be found below the City Storerooms Stag Station.
In the large room with multiple suspended platforms, players will find three paths off to the right-hand side of the chamber. The Whispering Root will be found in the bottom-most of these paths, and, after it is struck with the Dream Nail, 28 Essence will scatter into the chamber.
After using the Dream Nail again on the Whispering Root, players will receive the following message:
Crystal Peak Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Past the bench where the Crystal Guardian is first encountered, players can travel further up and to the right and make their way to Hallownest\u2019s Crown to the northeast of the Crystal Peak; an important area for the history of the kingdom.
Before making the ascent to Hallownest\u2019s Crown, there is a section that is guarded by Crystallized Husks where players can find the Whispering Root, which will expel 21 Essence for collection. The message that will be revealed after Dream Nailing the tree again will say:
Deepnest Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

It is easiest to reach the Deepnest Whispering Root from the Queen\u2019s Gardens and dropping down into Deepnest, or by traveling to the Distant Village Stag Station.
Located to the right of the Distant Village, players can find the Whispering Root nestled into a corner behind a Deepling. Players can gain 45 Essence from this tree. When struck with the Dream Nail again, this Whispering Root informs the player:
Forgotten Crossroads Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Directly opposite the Grubfather\u2019s location, keen-eyed players may spot a crack in the ceiling and a glow emitting from the same area. Using the nail, the Knight can break this section of the wall to open up a secret area. Using the Mantis Claw to scramble up, players will find three Geo deposits in the immediate area, and off to the left is the Whispering Root.
After interacting with it, the tree will release 29 Essence that will spread throughout the chamber with the suspended platforms. Players will need to be careful of the enemies that are scattered throughout this area, and, depending on when they return, the Forgotten Crossroads may look different than they remember. If players decide to use the Dream Nail again, they will be met with this message:
Fungal Wastes Whispering Root Location (Near Fog Canyon Shortcut)<\/p>\n

Opposite the path that leads to Leg Eater, players will find a small pool of acid that they’ll need to swim through to reach the shortcut to Fog Canyon through the Fungal Waste. The Whispering Root will be found in this area, and players can obtain 20 Essence from it. Dream Nailing this Whispering Root again will present players with the following message:
Fungal Wastes Whispering Root Location (North of Mantis Village)<\/p>\n

After players obtain the Mantis Claw from the outskirts of the Mantis Village, they will be able to reach the Whispering Root that is hidden away above. This Whispering Root will grant 18 Essence and the following message when Dream Nailed again:
Greenpath Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

If they are traveling through Greenpath to reach this Whispering Root, the Mothwing Cloak\/Shade Cloak, Isma\u2019s Tear, and Monarch Wings will make the journey much easier as it will require traveling across a large acid pool and pogoing off the back of Durandoos.
Players can earn 44 Essence from this Whispering Root and this message:
The Hive Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

The fastest way to reach the Hive is to get the tram from either Deepnest or the Ancient Basin and to travel to Kingdom\u2019s Edge. Once the player has arrived in Kingdom\u2019s Edge, they must continue to the right, avoiding the spiky pits, until they reach an area with two small Hivelings buzzing around. These enemies are indicating a secret entrance to the Hive, which can be opened by either attacking with the nail or using a spell to destroy the breakable wall.
To the far right of where the bench is located within the Hive, players can find the Whispering Root that provides 10 Essence. Players should beware of the Hive Soldiers that inhabit the area as their drill attacks are fast and allow them to travel long distances quickly. The strange message that can be received from this Whispering Root reads as:
Howling Cliffs Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Players should return to the area where the Knight first drops down at the start of the game by using the Mantis Claw to climb back up the large wall to the far left of Dirtmouth. If they take a left in this first chamber, they will find a secret area that they can continue to climb up. Following this path will lead to the Howling Cliffs.
Cornifer can be found at around the halfway point down the cliffs, and the Whispering Root can be found a little further down from his location. Once players use the Dream Nail on it, the Whispering Root will expel 46 Essence and will reveal a message:
Kingdom’s Edge Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Kingdom\u2019s Edge is an important area in Hollow Knight for players trying to piece together the lore. To reach the Whispering Root in this part of the map, the Monarch Wings will make the platforming here easier to execute, and, potentially, the Primal Aspids easier to dodge.
There are numerous ways for the player to enter Kingdom\u2019s Edge to get to this Whispering Root. Players can descend from the Colosseum of Fools, located to the very north of Kingdom\u2019s Edge, or by going through the secret passage in the King\u2019s Station. This passage can be found by going to the very bottom platform with the two Vengeflies to the far right. If players enter the water and continue swimming to the right, they will find a new area that leads to the Kingdom\u2019s Edge.
For players that have unlocked the Tower of Love, which can also be reached through this passage, there is another exit to Kingdom\u2019s Edge through there that will open up directly opposite their destination. Players will be rewarded with 51 Essence for completing this Whispering Root, and using the Dream Nail again will reveal a message:
Queen’s Gardens Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

This Whispering Root is located to the far southeast of Queen\u2019s Gardens, directly right from the bench with a viewing window. There are several hazards throughout the Queen\u2019s Gardens, and players are likely to encounter spikes, Mantis Traitors, and temporary platforms as they navigate around the space.
The area with the Whispering Root will require careful platforming, making any mobility upgrades that the Knight can obtain helpful when collecting the 29 Essence from it. This Whispering Root will leave the player with another cryptic message when Dream Nailed again:
Resting Grounds Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

This will likely be the first Whispering Root that players will complete as they will be directed to it after unlocking the Dream Nail. The Seer will inform the Knight that there is a tree that they can collect Essence from (20 Essence), and that it is located just outside of her chamber. The message from this Whispering Root directly references the Seer:
Royal Waterways Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Although it is considered part of the Royal Waterways, this Whispering Root can be found in an area between the Royal Waterways and the Ancient Basin.
Players can travel up to the Royal Waterways from the Ancient Basin either by going to the Hidden Station via the Stagways, or by unlocking the tram that travels between Deepnest, the Ancient Basin, and Kingdom\u2019s Edge.
Past the tram station are some platforms that lead up to the Royal Waterways. Players should then go right and travel across the broken pillars (avoiding enemies along the way) until they reach the chamber with the broken elevator. In the far-right corner, players can find a small room with a Whispering Root tucked away that will give them 35 Essence and the following message when Dream Nailed again:
Spirits‘ Glade Whispering Root Location<\/p>\n

Hollow Knight was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign that had raised over $57,000 (AUD) by the end of 2014. To thank all the fans who had stuck by them and kindly donated money to their project, Team Cherry created the Spirits\u2019 Glade, where backers\u2019 messages have been immortalized within the game.
Spirits\u2019 Glade is found in the Resting Grounds, but it is initially locked behind a door. Players will need to collect 200 Essence and return to the Seer, who will congratulate them on their hard work and unlock the door for them. Inside, players will be greeted by a spirit named Revek who warns players that harming the spirits inside will have severe consequences.
If players prefer to collect Essence in a safer manner, they will find the Whispering Root at the very top right of the Glade where they can earn 34 Essence. The message from this Whispering Root is as follows:
Rewards from the Seer in Exchange for Essence<\/p>\n

As stated in the intro, the Seer offers a variety of rewards in exchange for Essence collected throughout Hallownest. These rewards range from Relics and Charms to significant upgrade materials and even achievements for the game.<\/p>\n