The Best Mushroom-Growing Kits

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Mushroom-Growing Kits and hope the blog can help you.

Start growing a wide variety of mushrooms at home with the best mushroom-growing kits.

Mushroom-growing kits contain everything one needs to grow their own mushrooms at home. Growing kits include different varieties of mushrooms for those who want to grow a special type of mushroom or who want to grow their own food and be more self-sufficient.

Many different types of mushroom-growing kits are available, and finding the one that’s right for you can help you have the most success when growing edible fungi at home. By considering the type of mushrooms you want to grow, the difficulty level of growing them, and each kit’s contents, you can find either the best mushroom growing kit for beginners or one for more experienced fungus growers.

1. BEST OVERALL: Sno-Valley Mushrooms Queen Oyster Mushroom Kit
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit
3. BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Forest Origins Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
4. BEST FOR EXPERIENCED GROWERS: JusticeFighters Morel Mushroom Spores in Sawdust Bag
5. BEST LARGE: Michigan Mushroom Company Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit
6. BEST FAST-GROWING: Root Mushroom Farm Shiitake Mushroom Growing Kit
7. BEST VARIETY KIT: Bluff City Fungi Mushroom Grow Kit 2-Pack
8. BEST OUTDOOR: Hernshaw Farms Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit
9. BEST DECORATIVE: Uncommon Goods Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mushroom-Growing Kit

Most shoppers choose a mushroom kit that makes the most sense for the environment in which they plan to grow the mushrooms, their experience level in growing mushrooms, and the types of mushrooms they want to grow. Keep the following considerations in mind when searching for the best mushroom growing kits.

Mushroom Variety

Mushroom kits contain different varieties of mushrooms. Each kit typically grows one type of mushroom.

Although many shoppers prefer to grow those mushrooms they’re familiar with, consider getting a kit with a unique kind of mushroom that’s harder to find. This allows you to enjoy multiple varieties of mushrooms right at home.

Also consider that mushrooms have different growing cycles, so it might be worthwhile to start one kit while harvesting another. For example, while shiitakes can grow in about 7 to 10 days, morel mushrooms can take 3 to 5 years.

Difficulty Level

Depending on the amount of time it takes to successfully grow a mushroom crop, be mindful of the difficulty level. Different mushrooms require specific care routines, so before purchasing a kit, be sure you have the necessary time and resources to nourish the growing mushrooms.

If unclear about the level of skill and the time commitment required to grow a kit’s particular type of mushrooms, follow up with the manufacturer. Newbie mushroom growers may want to check out the best mushroom growing kit for beginners on our list.

Growing Location and Climate

Most mushroom grow kits are designed for indoor use; however, some require an outdoor environment. One way to determine if the soil is optimal for mushrooms is to look for mushrooms growing in your yard, a sign that the soil is healthy! Always check the instructions on the kit to determine the growing environment and climate that the mushrooms need to grow.

Mushrooms generally prefer a dark and humid environment in which to grow, and most species featured in the best mushroom grow kits need a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

As mentioned, the growth rate of each variety of mushroom varies, so providing the best conditions for each type of mushroom will help you achieve the most success with any mushroom kit.

Kit Contents 

Mushroom growing kits typically come with a substrate, which is the growing medium for the mushrooms. The substrate should also contain the spores necessary to grow the mushrooms, since mushrooms grow from spores, not seeds.

Spores, which are also called “mycelia,” are necessary to start mushrooms. The kit also may contain additional items, such as tents or spray bottles, to help create more humidity. Each kit comes with its own setup, but the best mushroom grow kits should include everything necessary to get started with your indoor gardening project.

Our Top Picks

Our top picks for the best mushroom grow kit can grow several varieties, from cremini mushrooms to reishi, oyster, lion’s mane, and more. Check out the following best mushroom spores that come in kits to get started growing your own mushrooms.

Best Overall

Sno-Valley Mushrooms Queen Oyster Mushroom Kit

Grow up to 2 pounds of black and marbled oyster mushrooms with this kit right in the kitchen. Set the Sno-Valley Mushrooms grow kit in a greenhouse or on the countertop for quick harvesting. Fresh air and regular watering are a must for mushrooms to grow with this kit, which means they can be grown outdoors provided the temperature is suitable.

If the climate is dry, misting the spores daily may be necessary to ensure proper humidity and encourage growth. The kit comes with everything to get started, including detailed directions.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Beginner
• Total mushroom yield: Up to 2 pounds
• Temperature requirements: 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Mushrooms start growing within 2 weeks
• Can support temperature fluctuations of up to 10 degrees
• Halt growth by placing kit in the fridge

Cons

• Produces only 1 to 2 pounds of mushrooms
• Needs lots of ventilation
• Requires a container

Get the Sno-Valley Mushrooms mushroom-growing kit on Etsy.

Best Bang for the Buck

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit

Those searching for an affordable way to get started growing mushrooms at home will want to give this mushroom kit from Back to the Roots a look. Start harvesting mushrooms in just 10 days and get two harvests from this product.

The kit comes with extra items to get you or a gift recipient started, including a misting bottle for humidity control and a discovery book with instructions. The mushrooms can grow any time of year with indirect sunlight and daily misting.

Although this kit is for beginners, more experienced mushroom growers can take the spores outside and continue to produce harvests in the right conditions. For the price, this easy-to-use kit is a fun project for kids or makes a great gift.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Beginner
• Total mushroom yield: 3 to 4 servings of mushrooms per harvest
• Temperature requirements: 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Organic
• Product is guaranteed to grow
• Packaging makes it giftable

Cons

• Product must be soaked in water for a second harvest
• Small amount of mushrooms for the price

Get the Back to the Roots mushroom-growing kit on Amazon.

Best for Beginners

Forest Origins Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit

For easy mushroom growing, this Forest Origins pink oyster kit comes with everything you need to start growing mushrooms, including a mister bottle for humidity control.

The block that the spores come in is self-contained, so no additional container or setup is necessary to get started. Simply follow the instructions to set up the kit, add water, and watch the mushrooms grow.

Another benefit to the Forest Origins Pink Oyster Grow Kit is that, unlike some other kits, the spores can survive for months if the package is unopened, provided it’s stored in a cool, dark place. This allows control in starting the growing process or allows you to give the kit as a gift.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Beginner
• Total mushroom yield: About 1 pound
• Temperature requirements: 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Can provide several flushes (harvests)
• Spores survive for months in unopened package
• Guaranteed to grow

Cons

• Small amount of mushrooms for the price

Get the Forest Origins mushroom-growing kit on Amazon.

Best for Experience Grower

JusticeFighters Morel Mushroom Spores in Sawdust Bag

If you’re looking for the best morel mushroom-growing kit, this kit is a great way to get started. Growing delicate gourmet morel mushrooms requires patience, taking a minimum of 1 to 2 years to start growing and sometimes as many as 3 to 5 years. This kit is probably best for more-experienced mushroom growers.

The mushrooms are meant to be grown outdoors, starting when the soil is not frozen—ideally between the spring and fall. Morel mushrooms grow best in areas that experience different seasons rather than a more tropical or consistently warm climate.

This kit comes with everything to get started. Pour the contents of the kit, which contains sawdust and spores, into 5 gallons of filtered water or rainwater and let it sit for 24 hours to start; then pour it into your designated growing area. Keep the area moist to ensure the spores stay alive and so the mushrooms will grow.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Difficult
• Total mushroom yield: 5 gallons
• Temperature requirements: Distinct seasons outdoors

Pros

• Grow gourmet mushrooms at home
• Simple to start the mushrooms
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Can take years to grow
• Needs a climate with seasons
• Spores require a higher level of care

Get JusticeFighters mushroom-growing kit on Etsy.

Best Large

Michigan Mushroom Company Grow Your Own Mushrooms Kit

Those who want to grow more than a few ounces of mushrooms should appreciate this kit, which delivers up to 4 pounds of lion’s mane mushrooms. The company also makes a larger kit that grows double the amount of mushrooms. The kit comes with a misting bottle and a humidity tent to create the proper conditions for your mushrooms to grow.

Over a 2-month period, the kit provides three to four harvests of mushrooms. It can also accommodate a wider range of temperatures—between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit—than many kits. For best results, set up the kit to start growing mushrooms within a week of receiving the product.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Intermediate
• Total mushroom yield: Up to 4 pounds
• Temperature requirements: 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Can accommodate a wide range of temperatures
• Provides several mushroom harvests
• Comes with humidity tent and mister

Cons

• Packaging could be improved

Get the Michigan Mushroom Company mushroom-growing kit on Amazon.

Best Fast-Growing

Root Mushroom Farm Shiitake Mushroom Growing Kit

To grow mushrooms as quickly as possible, look to this Shiitake Mushroom Growing Kit from Root Mushroom Farm, which the growers claim can start yielding mushrooms in just 4 days. If not yet ready to start growing mushrooms, put the log in the fridge for a few days.

The kit also comes with a humidity tent and spray bottle to create the best environment for fast mushroom growth. The spores can tolerate temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing more flexibility in the location of the kit. Generally, cooler temperatures are better for shiitakes.

By following the instructions for a total of up to 2 pounds of mushrooms, growers can get multiple harvests from the spores.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Easy
• Total mushroom yield: 1 to 2 pounds
• Temperature requirements: 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Can accommodate a wide range of temperatures
• Grow mushrooms in just 4 days
• Can store kit in the fridge to delay harvest

Cons

• May not yield a second harvest

Get the Root Mushroom Farm mushroom-growing kit on Amazon.

Best Variety Kit

Bluff City Fungi Mushroom Grow Kit 2-Pack

To grow more than one variety of mushroom with one kit, try this kit from Bluff City Fungi on Etsy, which provides three different mushroom variety options. You can choose two types from among blue oyster, gold oyster, or lion’s mane for the best mushrooms to grow to suit your taste.

The kit also comes with an optional humidity set, which includes a humidity tent, spray bottle, and bamboo skewers, for a few extra dollars. The company recommends it if you live in a particularly dry climate, since mushrooms won’t grow in very dry conditions. With no humidity tent, misting more frequently may be necessary.

Each variety is guaranteed to produce at least one harvest. Multiple harvests may be attainable by continuing to follow the instructions and care for the spores.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Intermediate
• Total mushroom yield: Up to 1 pound per variety
• Temperature requirements: Between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Guarantees first flush, possibly multiple harvests with proper care
• Humidity set is optional
• Choose which 2 mushrooms to grow

Cons

• Mushrooms can take up to 5 weeks to grow

Get the Bluff City Fungi mushroom-growing kit on Etsy.

Best Outdoor

Hernshaw Farms Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit

For those who aren’t keen on growing fungi on their kitchen counters, this Reishi Mushroom Grow Kit from Hernshaw Farms provides everything needed to start growing your own reishi mushrooms outdoors.

However, the growing environment for the reishis must remain at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so if this isn’t your natural climate, you may need to create a climate to encourage mushroom growth. In addition, the mushrooms need indirect sunlight, so locations with direct sunlight won’t work.

This kit isn’t for beginners. The mushrooms require a specific environment to thrive and take a few months to grow, so for more immediate mushroom growth, this likely isn’t the right kit. The block weighs 12 pounds and produces up to 3 pounds of reishi mushrooms over three harvests.

Product Specs 

• Difficulty level: Intermediate
• Total mushroom yield: Up to 3 pounds
• Temperature requirements: Around 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Pros

• Grow indoors or outdoors
• Produces up to 3 pounds of mushrooms in multiple harvests
• Minimal daily maintenance (just misting)

Cons

• Temperature must remain consistent
• Takes a few months for mushrooms to grow
• Tough mushrooms can be difficult to harvest

Get the Hernshaw Farms mushroom-growing kit on Etsy.

Best Decorative

Uncommon Goods Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit

If you’re looking for an attractive way to grow your own mushrooms, this Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit from Uncommon Goods delivers.

The log comes from a sweet gum or oak tree, and it contains organic shiitake spore plugs on which the mushrooms sprout. The log is salvaged from recently felled trees and measures 12 inches long by 3 to 5 inches wide, although the size of each log will vary.