Discover all 15 Whispering Root locations in Hollow Knight to collect Essence and unlock rewards from the Seer. Full guide with maps and tips!
Of 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—a 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
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
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
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’s Crown to the northeast of the Crystal Peak; an important area for the history of the kingdom.
Before making the ascent to Hallownest’s 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
It is easiest to reach the Deepnest Whispering Root from the Queen’s 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
Directly opposite the Grubfather’s location, keen-eyed players may spot a crack in the ceiling and a glow emitting from the same area.
