May 22, 2025, 8:50 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Suddenly, small mushrooms appear in the well-kept lawn—causing frustration among garden owners. But how dangerous are they really for the grass? And what can be done about them? myHOMEBOOK consulted a lawn expert for answers.
Mushrooms are not always welcome—especially when they grow in a well-maintained lawn. This often happens after periods of wet weather. How they spread, whether they are harmful, and what can be done about mushrooms in the lawn is explained by Dr. Harald Nonn from the German Lawn Society in an interview with myHOMEBOOK.
Can Mushrooms Harm the Lawn?
For many garden enthusiasts, mushrooms in the lawn are primarily one thing: an unsightly view. Especially in well-kept green spaces, they disrupt the uniform appearance—and can spread over time. But what is behind the sudden appearance of mushrooms in the lawn, and how harmful are they really?
Dr. Harald Nonn from the German Lawn Society reassures: “The cap mushrooms that mainly appear in warm, humid weather are absolutely harmless to lawn grasses.” However, he warns against touching or even consuming mushrooms without caution.
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Why Do Mushrooms Grow in the Lawn at All?
The sudden growth of mushrooms in the lawn is no coincidence. The cause often lies just below the surface. “The fungal spores often live on the soil surface or in the organic matter in the soil, which also serves as a food source for the fungi. They wait there for sufficient moisture and spread irregularly on the lawn. So, the mushrooms are latently present in the lawn,” explains Nonn.
In other words: The spores are usually already there—they just need favorable conditions to develop. These are mainly provided by warm, humid weather, which is common in summer.
What to Do About Mushrooms in the Green?
Those bothered by the unwanted guests have only limited options. But is it even necessary to take action against them? “They only become bothersome when they form their fruiting bodies, the caps,” says Nonn. A simple measure helps quickly: “The simplest remedy is regularly mowing the fruiting bodies. Chemical control is not possible due to the lack of approvals and effective agents.”
In the case of specific mushroom types, there is another option: “Puffballs, which are bulbous, low-growing mushrooms, can simply be twisted out of the lawn. If this is done early, they have not yet formed spores for further spreading.”
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Do You Even Need to Do Anything?
According to the expert, there is usually no immediate need for action. Because as soon as the weather changes, the problem resolves itself. “When the rainfall decreases, the cap mushrooms disappear from the lawn on their own, as the moisture needed for spore germination is lacking,” says Nonn.
So, those who discover mushrooms on the lawn need not worry about their green space—it remains an aesthetic issue. Those who do not want to tolerate them should reach for the lawnmower early or remove the fruiting bodies by hand.