The grass immediately above this mycelial mat eventually dies from lack of moisture. As the fairy ring expands the older part of the mycelium mat dies, and grass or weeds can regrow in this older or center area. The fairy ring fungus never grows back into the ring, since it has exhausted the organic food source that existed there previously. The fairy ring expands following the spread of the mycelium. The rate of outward growth is not predictable and depends on growing conditions favorable to the fungus species involved.
Some rings disappear unexpectedly for a year or more and then suddenly reappear.
The life cycle of fairy ring fungi follows the same general pattern as previously described for mushrooms. The fairy ring fungi survive as dormant mycelium. This mycelium becomes active during periods of moderate, wet weather, and the ring continues to grow outward each year. Following rains, mushrooms or puffballs appear within the dark green ring or at the outer edge of the dead area. They can be confused with some of the other ring or patch turfgrass diseases.