These Mushroom Growing Kits Help You Go from Fungi Bloom to Tasty ‘Shroom (2024)

What to Look for in a Mushroom Growing Kit

Mushroom Type

There are two main types of mushroom growing kits: ones that will grow specific kinds of mushrooms and others that come with all the necessary gear, but no mushroom spores. If you’re a beginner with a hankering for a specific kind of mushroom, we recommend finding a kit that has mushroom spores included. Common mushrooms in DIY kits include the following:

• Oyster (pink, blue, white, brown, golden)
• Shiitake
• Lion’s mane
• Chestnut
• Reishi
• Portobello

If you can’t find a kit that grows your favorite mushroom, don’t worry. There are many kits that come with just the growing substrate and equipment. You can purchase your own mushroom spores or liquid cultures separately, then use the growing kit gear to produce whatever kind of mushroom you want. Popular options include button, enoki, turkey tail, portobello, and chicken of the woods mushrooms.

Care Instructions

Clear instructions can make or break a DIY project. Be sure to browse through a kit’s instructions before purchasing so you can see if it’s well-written. Vague, frustrating directions could potentially render useless.

In addition to clarity, you’ll need to know if you’re able to follow the instructions. Some mushrooms require specific humidity levels, watering schedules, or high-quality substrate to grow. Check to see if the instructions are feasible for your home and lifestyle. If an element is too challenging or won’t work with your setup, look at a different kind of mushroom—there may be an easier type available.

Growing Medium

Mushroom kits come in many different forms. Some are grown inside a bag that contains substrate and grain, others are grown on a block or log or box, and still others require an outdoor garden. Some DIY kits include temperature-controlled mini tents with which you can adjust humidity levels. It’s worthwhile to research the different kinds and find one that suits you best.

The all-in-one bags are straightforward but may not look all that attractive. Log-style kits can be aesthetically pleasing but require regular submerged soaking. Shop around and discover which medium works best for your situation.

FAQs

How long do mushroom kits take to grow?

Growing mushrooms is certainly not for the impatient types. As with any type of gardening, it takes a lot of time and care. Some mushroom kits can fruit in just a few weeks, while others take upwards of a year to produce anything. Some kits can even continuously grow mushrooms, while others are a one-and-done situation.

Most kits will tell you up front when to expect full-grown mushrooms. Be sure to look through the product details to find out how long it will take.

How much does a mushroom grow kit yield?

Once again, this answer depends on the type of kit you purchase. Some smaller boxes may produce around four servings of mushrooms per crop, which is a nice option for family dinners or getting kids excited about gardening. Others, such as the large substrate bags, may produce up to 2 to 3 pounds of mushrooms at a time. We’d recommend these bigger yields for the serious mushroom enthusiasts—those who love to cook with fresh mushrooms to top pizzas, add to pasta sauces, or make into a creamy soup.

How do you grow mushrooms?

Each mushroom kit will come with detailed instructions on how best to care for your mushrooms. Simpler kits only require gentle misting once or twice a day. Others will require regular soaking over a six- to 12-month period. Other common instructions include leaving the kit in a cool, dark place, utilizing a humidity dome in drier climates, and keeping the room temperature controlled to around 70 degrees.

Be sure to follow the directions as closely as you can for best results. Please note that the instructions can differ between mushroom types. For example, some mushrooms prefer higher temperatures while others thrive in cooler climates.

How do you cook mushrooms?

Mushrooms are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, ranging in both flavors and textures. They fit into a plethora of dishes and can be tasty roasted up on their own. Let’s go over the flavor profiles and ideal dishes of some of the most common types of DIY mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms have a mild, woodsy taste with a meaty texture. It’s a mushroom with a number of varieties, including blue, pink, golden, brown, and pearl, among others, each of which have a slightly different flavor profile. Oyster mushrooms work well in dishes such as mushroom paella, noodle stir fry, mushroom risotto, and as seared mushroom “steaks.”

Shiitake mushrooms are known for their earthy and smoky flavors with a meaty texture. The umami-rich mushroom is often found inside vegan dumplings, hearty soups, pasta sauces, and veggie stir-fry dishes.

Lion’s mane mushrooms get their name from the puffy and “hairy” appearance of the cap. It’s known for being mildly sweet and evokes a similar texture to scallops or crab. Often served alongside or as an alternative to seafood, lion’s mane is great for dishes such as egg drop soup, “crab” cakes, or mushroom stroganoff.

Chestnut mushrooms have a beautiful brown coloration and even taste a bit nutty, so it’s easy to see how they got that name. These mushrooms are on the slightly sweet side yet boast a hearty texture. You can use them in dishes such as roasted mushroom gravy, garlicky mushrooms on toast, or just sauteed in butter on their own.

How long do mushrooms last?

Once harvested, fresh mushrooms can last four to seven days in the fridge, so long as they’re kept in a container that allows air flow. Sliced mushrooms have a shorter shelf life, freshest for just one or two days. If you’d like them to last longer, consider drying your mushrooms. If properly dried and stored in an airtight container away from light exposure, dried mushrooms can last one to two years. You can freeze mushrooms, as well, though it’s recommended to sauté them first. Store them in a freezer-safe container and they can last around 10 to 12 months.

Why Trust the Spruce Eats?

Allison Wignall is a writer who focuses on food and kitchen products. She is eager to test out several kits on this list with her mushroom-loving dad. Her work has been featured in publications including Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.