Mushrooms in lawns: why they appear and are they safe?
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The short answer
Mushrooms are "the fruiting bodies of fungi living in the soil and thatch", and they often appear in lawns when it's wet. 1 Don't eat them. NSW Health says "There is no easy way to tell which wild mushrooms are poisonous." 3
Why do mushrooms grow in lawns?
The University of Minnesota Extension says mushrooms are "the fruiting bodies of fungi living in the soil and thatch". The fungi make "microscopic spores that propagate the fungus". 1
Thatch is the layer of dead grass and roots that builds up under the green blades.
The same page says "It’s quite common for them to appear during periods of moist conditions resulting from either natural rainfall or excessive irrigation." It adds that "Wet conditions speed up the decay of organic matter." 1
The fungi feed on what's rotting in the soil. The page lists "roots, stems, leaves, grass blades, thatch, old tree roots" as plant material that breaks down. 1
It also says "a vast majority of mushrooms in lawns are not related to disease." 1
Why do mushrooms grow in circles?
Sometimes the mushrooms form a ring. Extension services call this a fairy ring. The University of Minnesota says "Fairy rings are arcs or circles of mushrooms growing in dark green, lush grass." 1
Oregon State University says the fungus "breaks down organic matter and produces nitrogen". This "feeds the nearby grass, creating a dark green ring." 2
The page says "The ring of mushrooms may expand outward over several years." That's why the circle gets bigger. 2
Both pages are from the United States. Minnesota gives ring sizes in feet, "usually 2 to 15 feet in diameter". 1 That's roughly 0.6 to 4.6 metres.
Are lawn mushrooms poisonous?
Treat every one as poisonous. NSW Health says "Eating wild mushrooms can make you very sick or even kill you." 3
The Victorian Department of Health says "There is no home test available to distinguish safe and edible mushrooms from poisonous mushrooms." 4
It also says "Cooking, peeling or drying these mushrooms does not remove or inactivate the poison." 4
Some of the risky ones grow where you'd least expect it. The Victorian advisory says the yellow-staining mushroom "can grow in large troops in lawns and gardens". It "looks very similar to regular purchased mushrooms". 4
The advice from both states is the same: "Do not eat wild mushrooms." 3 Victoria says "Do not pick and eat wild mushrooms in Victoria, including from your home garden, unless you are an expert." 4
What to do if someone has eaten one
Act straight away. NSW Health says to call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week) and "Do not wait for symptoms." 3
Victoria's advisory says the line is "Australia wide". 4
If you can, "take a photo or sample of the mushroom to help identify it." 3
In an emergency, NSW Health says to "call Triple Zero (000)". 3
Keeping children and pets safe
NSW Health says "Young children are at higher risk because they often put things in their mouths - including mushrooms they find in the garden or park." 3
Its advice is to "Check your garden and local parks for mushrooms and remove them before children play outside." 3
Victoria's advisory says to "Remove any mushrooms growing in home gardens that you’re unsure about as young children and pets can easily eat them." 4
It says to "Wear gloves when removing mushrooms growing in the home garden." Then "Place the mushrooms carefully in a bag and dispose of them in a closed general waste (landfill) rubbish bin." 4
Getting rid of lawn mushrooms
You can leave them. Oregon State University says "Fairy rings in lawns are common. They are of minor importance and cause little harm in home lawns." 2
If you'd rather not see them, the University of Minnesota suggests you "Knock mushrooms over with a rake and remove them from the area." It also lists "Reduce or turn off your irrigation to dry out your lawn." 1
After a tree comes down, it says to "Dig or grind out stumps and tree roots". 1
Fungicides are a poor bet. Oregon State says that method is "NOT RECOMMENDED for most home and commercial lawn situations" and that fungicides "don’t change the soil conditions that support mushroom fairy rings." 2
Want mushrooms you can eat? Growing them is a separate job, and our page on mushroom grow kits in Australia looks at what's on offer.
Frequently asked questions
Are lawn mushrooms poisonous?
Treat them as poisonous. NSW Health says "There is no easy way to tell which wild mushrooms are poisonous" and "Do not eat wild mushrooms." 3
Why do mushrooms grow in circles?
The University of Minnesota calls them fairy rings, "arcs or circles of mushrooms growing in dark green, lush grass". Oregon State says the fungus "breaks down organic matter and produces nitrogen" and the ring "may expand outward over several years". 1 2
Do mushrooms in the lawn mean the lawn is diseased?
The University of Minnesota says "a vast majority of mushrooms in lawns are not related to disease." 1
Who do I call if my child or pet has eaten a lawn mushroom?
NSW Health says to call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and "Do not wait for symptoms." For an emergency, it says to call Triple Zero (000). 3
Sources
- Mushrooms in lawns, University of Minnesota Extension. Checked 24 October 2026.
- Mushroom Fairy Rings, Oregon State University. Checked 24 October 2026.
- Wild mushroom poisoning, NSW Health. Checked 24 October 2026.
- Poisonous Mushrooms growing in Victoria, Victorian Department of Health. Checked 24 October 2026.