Learning Center / Lawn problems
Why do mushrooms grow in your yard?
Because fungi in the soil are breaking down buried wood, old roots or thatch, and rain or damp weather triggers them to pop up. They rarely hurt the grass, and they usually disappear on their own once things dry out.
- By David Obeid, founder
- Reviewed
- 4 min read
The short answer
What are lawn mushrooms, and are they bad?
Mushrooms are the above-ground part of a fungus that lives in the soil, feeding on decaying organic matter. The part you see is temporary. The fungus itself is underground the whole time, quietly breaking down old roots, buried wood and thatch.
For the lawn, they are mostly cosmetic. They show up after rain or humid stretches and fade within days once the weather dries out.
Common causes
Why do mushrooms keep coming back in the same spot?
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Something buried is decaying
An old stump, roots from a tree that was taken down, or construction debris under the lawn feeds the fungus for years.
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Too much moisture
Rainy stretches, overwatering, poor drainage and low spots all keep the soil wet enough for mushrooms.
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Shade
Areas under trees stay damp longer and dry out slowly.
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Compacted clay
Water sits in compacted soil instead of soaking in, which keeps the surface damp.
Fairy rings
What is a ring of mushrooms in the lawn?
A fairy ring: a fungus growing outward in a circle from a central point. It can show up as a ring of mushrooms, a ring of darker green grass, or a ring of stressed, thinner grass.
Most fairy rings are cosmetic. Keeping the lawn fed and watered evenly helps hide the darker ring, and aeration helps where the soil in the ring stays dry and hard.
Getting rid of them
How do you get rid of mushrooms in your lawn?
Pick them, rake them or mow over them. That handles what you see. Fungicide sprays don't help much, because they don't reach the fungus underground that keeps producing mushrooms.
For fewer mushrooms over time, fix the conditions: water deeply and less often, early in the morning; improve drainage; let more light into shady spots where you can; and relieve compaction with fall core aeration. If the food source is a buried stump or roots, mushrooms will keep returning until it finishes breaking down.
Safety
Are lawn mushrooms dangerous to kids and pets?
Some can be, and it is hard to tell which by looking. Never eat wild mushrooms, and pick them up promptly if young kids or dogs use the yard.
If you think a child or pet has eaten one, contact Poison Control or your vet right away.
Related questions
What people also ask
Do mushrooms mean my lawn is unhealthy?
Usually not. They mean there is moisture and decaying organic matter in the soil. If the grass around them is also thinning, look at drainage, shade, compaction or disease instead of the mushrooms themselves.
Will mowing over mushrooms spread them?
Mowing can scatter spores, but the fungus is already in the soil. Mowing or picking them is still the simplest way to clear them, and they fade once the weather dries out.
Can I spray something to stop mushrooms?
Sprays don't work well, because they don't reach the fungus underground. Reducing moisture, improving drainage and relieving compaction do more over time.
Keep reading
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