Mushroom grow kits make the process of growing your own mushrooms so simple that even your kids can do it. Not only is it an incredibly interesting project to enjoy, but when you get to harvest them, it’s a delicious experience as well. These kits are available for a range of different mushroom types, from common button mushrooms to shiitake and oyster mushrooms. To help you select the right one, we’ve reviewed the best mushroom grow kits of 2024. Our favorite is the Michigan Mushroom Lion’s Mane kit because of its quick, beginner-friendly setup, but we’ve included options that feature a variety of growing methods and difficulty levels.
Our Top Picks For Mushroom Grow Kits
The Best Mushroom Grow Kit
Best Overall
Grow your own mushrooms with Michigan Mushroom Company’s fully colonized Lion’s Mane indoor grow kit. This easy-to-use kit allows you to grow up to 4 pounds of mushrooms. To grow three to four flushes over two months, the grow kit simply requires regular light misting once it’s set up. The colonized bag is 100% sterile and inoculated with Michigan Mushroom Company’s own strain of Lion’s Mane. The grow bag is 8″ x 5″ x 19″ with a 5-micron filter patch for gas exchange and a strong bottom seal. It is best to set up the kit within 7 to 10 days of purchase to obtain the best results. Its ease of use and large mushroom production earned this kit the top spot on our list.
Pros
- Produces up to 4lbs of mushrooms
- Colonized bag is guaranteed 100% sterile
- Quick set-up takes only 2 minutes
Cons
- Mushrooms may appear different from the wild foraged species
Best Pink Oyster Kit
Sprouting large pink oyster mushrooms, this kit is one of the most beautiful mushroom grow kits available. Not only are they incredible to observe but they taste great too. This kit offers everything you need to grow your pink mushrooms and unlike some other kits, Forest Origins pink oyster mushroom kit can last a few months without being opened. Once opened and prepared, all you need to do is mist the setup regularly. It will take a few weeks for your mushrooms to reach their fully grown stage before they’re ready to be cooked. Their growth time is longer than some other mushroom types, however, that means you get to enjoy the beauty of your pink mushrooms for an extended period.
Pros
- Rare and beautiful pink oyster mushrooms
- 100% growth guarantee
- Easy for kids or beginners
Cons
- Slightly longer growth time than other growing kits
Best Kit for Cooks
This easy-to-use mushroom growing kit is ideal for growing your own gourmet mushrooms at home. The kit contains a sawdust block colonized with productive Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are often associated with a lobster or crab flavor when cooked with great health benefits. Each mushroom kit contains a block of growing substrate that is pre-populated with mushroom mycelium. It also contains a sprayer for watering and instructions on growing and harvesting your mushrooms. North Spore’s mushroom kits can be grown and harvested at any time of the year.
Pros
- First flush success is guaranteed
- Includes a watering spray bottle
- Harvest mushrooms any time of the year
Cons
- Mushroom flavor can vary
Best for Experienced Growers
Virgenu’s elaborate 12-jar mushroom growing cultivation set includes everything you need to start your mushroom production, except the spores which you need to order separately. The purchase also includes a step-by-step growing guide and information on how to inoculate, how to incubate, how to fruit, and how to dry your mushrooms. It also explains casing methods, allowing you to take your cultivating expertise to the next level.
Pros
- Fully-equipped for advanced growers
- Comes with pre-sterilized jars
- Includes a step-by-step user guide
Cons
- There are no spores included in the kit
Best Golden Oyster Grow Kit
This golden oyster mushroom growing kit contains everything you need in one box including a mushroom log, humidity tent, spray bottle, and an instruction manual. You won’t need to purchase any extra tools and can start seeing mushroom growth approximately 7 days after starting your kit. Unopened, the kit will last for a few months. This mushroom kit will provide you with multiple harvests if cared for properly. Root Mushroom Farm is also available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your product.
Pros
- Includes an instruction guide
- Simple and very easy to grow
- Kit can last for a few months unopened
Cons
- Mushroom flavor can vary slightly between harvests
Best Shiitake Kit
This plug spawn starter kit yields gorgeous large mushrooms with thick flesh. The kit includes 100 plugs, 3 x aluminum tags, 2 x daubers, 3 oz wax, and easy-to-follow instructions. The plugs are enough for two 36-inch x 4-inch logs and will take 6 to 9 months to mature from inoculation. These mushrooms can be grown outdoors with a spawn fruiting temperature range ideal between 55-80°F.
Pros
- Includes instructions for log inoculation
- Mushrooms can grow on a large log outdoors
- Yields a fair amount of mushrooms
Cons
- Mushrooms take a while before they’re ready to harvest
Best Lion’s Mane Kit
This easy-to-grow mushroom kit produces icicle-like cascading mushroom clusters that can grow to the size of a baseball. Mushroom Man LLC offers technical support if needed and includes a full instruction manual with your purchase. The kit also includes a humidity tent. Ideal growing temperatures are between 55-75° F. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are delicious, resembling a lobster or crab flavor. They also offer great health benefits.
Pros
- No chemicals are used in the kit
- Includes an instruction guide
- Only takes 15-20 days to produce mushrooms
Cons
- The taste of mushrooms can vary slightly
Mushroom Grow Kits: A Buying Guide
Mushroom grow kits are a great project for seasoned gardeners, beginners, or as a project for kids. Essentially they are mushroom mycelium growing on any substrate which could take the form of straw, logs, or sawdust. The kit is designed to be delivered to you just before the mushrooms begin to grow and take form. It is then up to you to raise them to maturity. There are a variety of kits on the market to choose from. Consider the below factors when deciding which kit is the best fit for you.
Things to Consider When Buying a Mushroom Kit
Before you get into the details of your kit’s make-up, think about what you mainly want the kit for. Is it as a project for your children, or to grow your own culinary mushrooms? Some kits can be cost-effective in producing enough mushrooms to offset the cost of purchasing exotic mushrooms at a grocery store. Once you know what and who the kit is for you can consider factors like the level of difficulty and the type of mushrooms that are best suited to you.
Types of Mushrooms
These are some of the most popular types of edible mushrooms available as mushroom grow kits.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are recognizable for their brown and slightly curled umbrella cap appearance. They have a dense texture and an earthy flavor. They are great for cooking and intensify in flavor when dried out. They also have significant medicinal properties.
Oyster
Oyster mushrooms have a striking fan-shaped growing pattern which makes them intriguing to grow yourself. They have a subtle flavor and soft texture. These mushrooms are popularly used in Asian dishes. They are known for their cholesterol-lowering properties.
Lions mane
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are so-called because they resemble a lion’s mane in their large, white, shaggy appearance. They have both culinary and medicinal uses and are eaten raw, dried, cooked, or steeped as tea. The flavor of these mushrooms is often compared to that of lobster or crab.
Morel
Morel mushrooms are expensive to buy and that makes it somewhat advantageous to grow your own. They are light brown with an unusual cone-shaped look and are sponge-like. Morels have a strong flavor with nutty, smoky notes.
Portabella
Portabella mushrooms are common in grocery stores and restaurants. They are white and light brown with large flat caps. These mushrooms are dense and meaty, rich in flavor, and stand up well to grilling. They are also delicious in sauces and stuffings.
Growing Medium
Grow kits can vary in the substrate types used as well as the containers the substrates come in. Some mushroom growing kits use logs, some use bags, and others require you to grow your mushrooms inside an included container. To choose the growing medium you want, consider how hands-on you prefer to be. Think about how important the aesthetic appeal of your kit is to you. Mushrooms are incredibly unique and may look more appealing growing out of an elegant block or log than a delivery box.
Level of Difficulty
Mushroom grow kits are often very easy to set up and require little work to maintain. You do however get kits designed for experienced growers including specialized equipment and lengthy maintenance procedures. Check the kit beforehand to determine how much work and knowledge is required to grow your mushrooms as well as whether you need to purchase any additional tools or products.
Growth Cycle
Consider the length of time it will take before your mushrooms are ready to harvest as some take a lot longer than others. Oyster mushrooms, for example, take only one month to grow while morels take a few months to mature. Brands may also design their kits to be delivered at a specific stage of the growing cycle which means that the mushrooms may be further along in the maturation process and yield produce faster.
DIY Mushroom Growing Tips
- Mushrooms thrive in temperatures between 65-70F.
- Keep them in cool, dark, and damp growing conditions.
- If your kit requires fertilization, use mushroom compost as your best option.
- Water the mushrooms regularly.
- Some kits do state that you can store them for a while before using them, however, it is usually best to use your mushroom growing kit soon after you receive it.
PEOPLE ALSO ASKED
How many times can a mushroom grow kit be used?
Most kits will yield multiple flushes with some producing mushrooms every few weeks for 2 months up to one year.
How long can mushroom grow spores be stored?
Mushroom spores may last for a few years. For long-term storage, the spores should be kept in the fridge. Spore syringes however don’t last as long due to bacteria developing in the water. Eight to 12 months is the general recommended maximum storage time.
Should my mushroom grow kit get sunlight?
Since mushrooms don't contain chlorophyll, they don't need light for photosynthesis. Mushrooms need some dim light to form fruit bodies, but a few hours a day of indirect sunlight or a fluorescent lamp is sufficient.
