A mushroom grow kit is a block that has already been fully grown through with mushroom mycelium, so all you need to do at home is open it, mist it with water two to three times a day and keep it out of direct sun. Oyster mushrooms are usually ready to harvest in 7 to 10 days, Lion's Mane in about two weeks, and a good kit will give you 2 to 3 harvests.
We have been growing gourmet mushrooms on our urban farm for five years, and we post our grow kits to homes right across the country (except WA, sorry, their rules not ours). This guide covers everything we tell our own customers, from choosing a kit to your third harvest and beyond.
What is a mushroom grow kit?
A mushroom grow kit is a bag or block of substrate, usually a mix of sawdust, straw or grain, that has been inoculated with mushroom mycelium and left to grow until the mycelium has completely taken over. Mycelium is the living root network of the mushroom, and the mushrooms you eat are its fruit.
The slow, fussy part of growing mushrooms is getting the mycelium established without contamination. That happens on our farm under clean conditions. By the time a kit reaches you, it is ready to fruit, which is why grow kits are such an easy way to start.
Which mushroom grow kit is best for beginners?
Every kit in our range is beginner friendly, but each one has its own personality.
Warm White Oyster
- First harvest:
- about 7 to 10 days
- Best for:
- complete beginners and kids
- Tastes:
- mild, earthy and soft
Pink Oyster
- First harvest:
- about 7 to 10 days
- Best for:
- warm weather and colour lovers
- Tastes:
- bold, savoury and crispy when fried
Lion's Mane
- First harvest:
- about 2 weeks
- Best for:
- curious cooks and gift giving
- Tastes:
- lightly sweet and tender, a lot like crab
If you have never grown a mushroom before, start with Warm White Oyster. It is the most forgiving kit we make. If it is the middle of a Queensland summer, Pink Oyster will thrive in the heat. If you want the one that makes everyone stop and stare, choose Lion's Mane.
Any two or more kits are $25 each, so it is easy to try a couple side by side.
How to grow mushrooms at home, step by step
Start within two weeks
Your kit is alive, so start it within two weeks of it arriving. If you need to wait, our oyster and Lion's Mane kits can be stored in the fridge for up to three months. The exception is Pink Oyster, which is a tropical variety and should never go in the fridge.
Pick the right spot
Mushrooms do not need sunlight to grow, but they do use light to know which way to grow. A kitchen bench, laundry or bathroom with natural light is perfect. Keep the kit away from direct sun, heaters, air conditioners and fans, because they dry the mushrooms out.
Open the kit
Peel back the perforated window on the box and cut a small X in the bag underneath. This is where your mushrooms will grow, because they fruit towards fresh air.
Mist two to three times a day
Use the spray bottle to mist the cut area two to three times a day. The mist will sit on top of the cut rather than soaking into it, and that is perfect. You are recreating humidity, not watering a plant, so resist the urge to peel the cut back to get the water in. Hands off and trust the process.
Once your mushrooms start growing, keep an eye on how they look. If they are plump and juicy, you are on track. If they are yellowing, shiny or looking dry, be a bit more liberal with your misting. Use your best judgement for your space too, because a really dry home will need more misting than one with plenty of natural humidity in the air.
Watch for pins
After a few days, you will see tiny bumps called pins forming at the opening. This is the exciting part. Pins can double in size every day, so keep misting and check on them morning and night.
Harvest at the right time
Harvest oyster mushrooms when the caps have opened out but before the edges curl upwards. Hold the cluster at the base, twist and pull. Harvest Lion's Mane while it is a firm, white pom-pom with short spines, and straight away if it starts to turn yellow.
Grow your second and third harvest
After harvesting, keep the kit in the same spot and keep misting. A second flush usually appears in one to three weeks. Each flush is a little smaller than the one before, and our kits are extra large, so most people get 2 to 3 harvests.
Grower's tip: humidity is the single most important thing you control. Almost every problem we hear about comes from the kit drying out, so when in doubt, mist.
Growing more than one kit? Don't expect them all to grow at the same time. Every kit is alive and runs on its own timeline, so it is completely normal to be harvesting your oyster mushrooms before your Lion's Mane is even showing signs of starting. Keep misting, keep it in a good spot and trust the process.
Troubleshooting your grow kit
Nothing is happening after a week
Check that the kit is not too cold or too dry. Move it somewhere warmer and mist a little more often.
The caps are small, dry or cracked
The air is too dry. Mist more often, or loosely tent a plastic bag with a few holes over the kit.
Long stems and tiny caps
The mushrooms want more fresh air and light. Move the kit somewhere brighter with a bit of airflow.
White fuzz on the mushrooms or block
This is usually just mycelium, and it is completely normal.
Green or black mould
This is contamination. Stop growing the kit and get in touch with us so we can help.
What to do with your mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms are best eaten within a couple of days. Store them in a paper bag in the fridge, never in plastic, because plastic makes them sweat. Our favourite way to cook any of them is the simplest: a hot pan, a little oil or butter, a pinch of salt and patience. Let them brown properly before you turn them, and they will be golden and full of flavour. Pink Oysters are amazing fried until crispy, and Lion's Mane can be torn into thick pieces and pan-fried like a steak.
What to do when your kit is finished
When your kit stops producing, break up the block and dig it into your garden or compost. Spent mushroom substrate is great for soil, and you may even find a few bonus mushrooms popping up in the garden after rain.
Frequently asked questions
How long do mushroom grow kits take?
Oyster mushroom grow kits usually produce their first harvest in 7 to 10 days. Lion's Mane takes about two weeks. Cooler weather can slow things down a little.
Why is one of my kits growing faster than the other?
That is completely normal. Every kit is alive and runs on its own timeline, and different mushrooms grow at different speeds. Oyster mushrooms are often ready to harvest before Lion's Mane is even showing signs of starting. Keep misting and trust the process.
Do mushroom grow kits need sunlight?
No, they do not. Mushrooms use light to orient themselves, so a spot with natural indirect light is ideal, but direct sun will dry them out.
How many times can you harvest a mushroom grow kit?
Most of our kits give 2 to 3 harvests. The first harvest is the biggest, and each flush after that is a little smaller.
Are mushroom grow kits safe for kids?
Yes, they are. Grow kits are a brilliant hands-on science project for kids, and they love watching the mushrooms change every day. The mushrooms in our kits are gourmet edible varieties, so the whole family can eat the harvest.
Can I grow mushrooms at home in Australia all year round?
Yes, you can. Choose Pink Oyster in the warmer months, and Warm White Oyster or Lion's Mane in the cooler months. Keeping the kit indoors helps even out the temperature.
Can you post mushroom grow kits to Western Australia?
Unfortunately, we are unable to post grow kits to Western Australia. We post them to every other state and territory, and our MYCOfactor extracts, merch and books can still be sent to WA.
Ready to grow?
Choose your first kit, or give a Grow Pass so they can choose theirs and have it posted whenever they are ready.
Still deciding whether growing your own is for you? Read why you should try growing mushrooms at home.