Growing Mushrooms At Home Is Easier Than You Think With Our Newbie Guide (2024)

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February 20, 2022

By Lauren David

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Lauren David is a Chilean-American freelance writer. She writes about gardening, food, health and wellness, and sustainability. She has been published in Allrecipes, Greatist, The Healthy, The Kitchn and more.

Can you grow mushrooms at home?What to know before startingBest types of mushrooms to growWhat conditions do they need?Gathering your suppliesGrowing how-toCare tips

February 20, 2022

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Chances are, you love to eat mushrooms—but have you ever considered growing them? Turns out, the little fungi grow quickly and are relatively low-maintenance, depending on the variety. Here's what you need to know to grow mushrooms from the comfort of your home.

Can you grow mushrooms at home?

Growing mushrooms at home may seem counterintuitive since many varieties grow in forests, on trees, or underground, but there are many varieties you can cultivate indoors. Once you get the setup down, with any luck, you'll have edible delights within a couple of weeks.

"Growing mushrooms is great as an activity for kids, adults who have free time and want to start to grow their own food, or anyone in between," says Brian Chau, a food scientist and fungal fanatic.

What to know before starting.

Though it doesn't take up much room, growing mushrooms at home does require a dark, humid location, explains Matthew Tutt, a part-time mushroom grower. As such, Chau recommends scouting out a small (around 2 square feet) spot in your home that you'll remember to spritz with water twice a day.

You won't need much else to get the hobby going, other than mushrooms and your substrate. While vegetables and fruits grow from seeds, mushrooms grow from microscopic spores. Spores grow in different types of substrates such as wood, sawdust, compost, or straw.

What type of mushrooms are best for growing at home?

There are a plethora of mushrooms that people can grow at home, but if you're new to growing fungi, you'll want to start with these beginner-friendly varieties:

1.

Blue oyster mushrooms.

"The blue oysters grow relatively fast and are the easiest to maintain," says Chau. Blue oyster mushrooms are one of several varieties of oyster mushrooms and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pastas, soups, or sauces.

2.

Lion's mane mushrooms.

In addition to blue oysters, Andrew Carter, the CEO and co-founder of Smallhold, a network of mushroom farms throughout the USA, considers lion's mane a great variety for beginners."They are the most forgiving in terms of growing conditions, so they usually do well in most people's homes," he says. Lion's mane is known as a medicinal mushroom and is delicious when grilled, braised, roasted, or sauteed.

3.

Grey oyster mushrooms.

Another low-maintenance variety of oyster mushrooms, Tutt says that "Grey oyster mushrooms are not fussy at all and don't require much special treatment, or any kind of special substrate." They are prominently featured in Asian cuisine, and Tutt notes that they are a great "gateway" mushrooms thanks to their mild taste.

What conditions do mushrooms need to grow?

Cool, dark, and damp are a mushroom's favorite words. "They need to be kept at room temperature—or even a bit cooler—and misted constantly," says Carter. Since they require twice-daily misting, he notes that you might want to put them in a room that you pass through often, such as the kitchen. Basements, bathrooms, garages, or even under sinks are also good humid environments for them, as long as you remember to mist them.

Gathering your supplies.

These supplies can be purchased at your local nursery, garden center, or even home improvement store. Note: Mushroom grow kits do the work of colonizing for you, so you can also purchase one of those to skip steps 1 to 4 of the growing process.

  • Planting trays or boxes
  • Mushroom spawn
  • Plastic bags or plastic box (to serve as a mini-greenhouse)
  • A substrate (either compost, straw, wood chips, or potting soil, depending on the variety of mushroom you're growing)

How to actually grow the mushrooms:

Step 1: Fill container with substrate.

Start with a tray or a long container that is at least 6 inches deep. Fill the tray or container with your substrate, and then spread the spawn on top. Cover the spawn with another inch or so of the substrate you're using.

Step 2: Place substrate in a warm area.

"To get the mushroom spawn to colonize the substrate, you need to place it in a warm spot to speed up this process—usually anywhere between 30 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will depend on the exact type of species you are looking to grow," explains Tutt.

Step 3: Ensure the substrate stays moist.

You'll need to spray the substrate with water to keep it moist but not soaking wet. "At the very least, they need to be misted directly two to three times a day," says Carter. You may want to cover the substrate with a plastic bag or large plastic box to maintain a humid environment from your shrooms.

Step 4: Chill your mushrooms down.

After a few days, you should see tiny white thread-looking growths (mycelium) start to form on top of your substrate. At this point, the mushrooms have colonized, and Tutt recommends placing your tub in the fridge or an area that's below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period before moving it to that cool, dark, and damp spot in your home for the final "fruiting" stage.

Step 5: Harvest time.

Keep misting your mushrooms daily to keep their surrounding humidity high, and they should be ready to harvest within a couple of weeks.

Caring for your mushrooms.

Here's how to watch over your mushrooms to ensure a successful harvest.

Light:

Generally, mushrooms don't need much light since they prefer dark environments. It's important to keep in mind that direct sunlight is never a good idea.

Water:

Although mushrooms thrive in damp and humid environments, they don't need to drink lots of water. "Spritzing or misting twice a day works just fine," says Chau. "Do not drown nor dry the mushroom block."

And as you notice mushrooms starting to form, Carter recommends misting around them rather than spraying them directly.

Humidity:

A humid environment is an essential component for the success of growing mushrooms, especially when you reach that final fruiting stage. "It's vital to keep it humid—but not soaking wet," says Tutt.

Harvesting and storing your mushrooms.

"Mushrooms are usually ready for harvest when their cap has finished forming and is just about to start unfurling," says Tutt. However, they may not look like the fungi you're used to seeing. "They're perfectly safe to eat but aren't the picture-perfect mushroom that most people are used to," says Carter.

Once they're ready, you can handpick your mushrooms or use a knife to harvest them.Since these beauties are grown in a controlled home environment, you don't need to go through the pain of washing them before storing. "When harvested, store mushrooms in the fridge for up to two weeks in a paper bag," says Chau.

And voilà! You're ready to start incorporating your homegrown mushrooms into decadent soups, "steaks," salads, and everything in between. Packed with minerals and vitamins, they'll provide a delicious way to support your immune system, too.

The bottom line.

Now that you know how to get started growing mushrooms at home, you'll be reaping the rewards of these delectable fungi in no time. Next homesteading challenge: Pair them with homegrown avocado from your very own avocado tree!

Growing Mushrooms At Home Is Easier Than You Think With Our Newbie Guide (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to grow mushrooms in your home? ›

One of the benefits of growing your mushroom varieties instead of wild-harvesting them is that you can be sure you're not picking a toxic mushroom. Cremini, enoki, maitake, portobello, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms can all be grown indoors, but each type has specific growing needs.

Are mushrooms easier to grow than plants? ›

Mushrooms require less growing materials, water, and energy than other types of crops. There are many reasons why mushroom agriculture is more sustainable than other types of agriculture, which start with the growing process.

Is it cost effective to grow your own mushrooms? ›

A: Yes, growing your own mushrooms can save you money in the long run. Mushrooms bought from the store can be expensive, especially if you consume them regularly. By growing your own, you can significantly cut down on the cost of buying mushrooms.

Can growing mushrooms indoors cause mold? ›

If there's any area on the kit that has exposed substrate (if the white mycelium isn't really strong in that area) it could become susceptible to mould. Patchy mycelium can be caused by damage to the mycelium either during transit or on opening, from heat damage, over-watering or from storing the kit for too long.

What are the cons of growing mushrooms at home? ›

You need a place that is dark and humid, which may be difficult if you live in an apartment or other place where it's hard to control such things as ventilation and light levels. In addition, mushrooms put off an interesting aroma which may not be pleasing to some people.

Is growing mushrooms high maintenance? ›

One of the main advantages of mushroom farming is that it's a low-maintenance activity that requires minimal space and resources. Mushrooms are also highly nutritious and can be grown year-round. Additionally, mushroom farming has a relatively low start-up cost compared to other agricultural industries.

Why do chefs love mushrooms? ›

Mushrooms have a broad range of amino acids, as animal proteins do, and this provides them with savory flavor. They are high in glutamic acid, an amino acid that forms naturally occurring glutamates which act as flavor enhancers. (The 'unnatural' form you know as MSG, monosodium glutamate.)

Is it unethical to eat mushrooms? ›

Unlike animals, mushrooms lack a central nervous system, prompting many to argue that their consumption is neither cruel nor exploitative. However, mushrooms are also separate from the Plantae kingdom where plants are categorized. The ethical cultivation of mushrooms plays a pivotal role in this debate.

What are the healthiest mushrooms to eat? ›

Some of the mushrooms considered best for human health include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, cordyceps and maitake. Often considered vegetables, mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They belong to a unique kingdom of fungi.

What is the cheapest way to grow mushrooms? ›

Another easy, inexpensive option for growing mushrooms at home is inoculated sawdust in a plastic bag. These come in kit versions, but you can also make them yourself. Store them in a bathroom where it is dark and moist and you'll start to see flushing pretty quickly.

Are mushroom kits worth it? ›

Should You Try a Kit? If you have any interest in growing mushrooms at all, and you aren't ready to do it from scratch, then most definitely yes- you should try a kit! It will give you an idea of how mushrooms grow, and what requirements they need in order to fruit properly.

Where is the best place to grow mushrooms? ›

Mushrooms are best grown under-cover, where temperature and moisture can be controlled. A shed, garage, garden cold frame or cellar will work well – anywhere out of the sun where it's possible to give mushrooms their optimum growing temperature of around 15°C (the temperature shouldn't go below 10°C or above 20°C).

How to grow mushrooms at home for beginners? ›

Mushroom Box Kits
  1. Step 1: Moisten the Block. Mist the block three or four times a day with spring or well water or collected rainwater. ...
  2. Step 2: Cover the Block. Cover the block with plastic after each misting to hold in the humidity. ...
  3. Step 3: Harvest Mushrooms. ...
  4. Step 4: Repeat.
Mar 6, 2024

Where in my house should I grow mushrooms? ›

In nature, mushrooms grow in the cool, moist areas of the forest where they are sheltered from the weather and wind, so it's best to find a place like this in your house or backyard. Many people say to grow your mushrooms in the bathroom as it's an area that often has humidity from showers.

Is it safe to touch mushrooms that grow in your yard? ›

These sneaky fungi can grow next to edible varieties and aren't dangerous to touch. But consuming even a bite of them can be harmful. Critical care physician Aanchal Kapoor, MD, describes the major symptoms of mushroom poisoning — and tips for avoiding the foul fungi.

Why can't you eat mushrooms that grow in your yard? ›

Some of your backyard mushrooms may be edible, but never eat a mushroom unless you can positively identify it and are 100 percent sure it's safe. Although less than five percent of known mushrooms are poisonous or of uncertain edibility, several toxic mushrooms do grow in backyards.

Is it bad to let mushrooms grow in your yard? ›

The vast majority of fungi are beneficial. They are decomposers that break down dead and decaying organic matter such a stumps, old roots, or leaves. Most mushrooms do not damage lawns or gardens; they are simply an unsightly nuisance.

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