Do you love eating mushrooms or adding them in chunks to your pasta or noodles? If yes, you would not want to rush to the market every time you run out of it. You have an alternative; you can grow your mushroom at home with the best mushroom growing kit.
Maybe you don’t like the idea of growing mushrooms in your garden, how about in your kitchen or even your living room? You can find the best indoor mushroom growing kit in the market that is so easy to use and beginner-friendly.
With the growing kits, you require no other tools or special skills. Just buy the kit and follow the instructions. You will get fresh and organic mushrooms with immense health benefits.
This article will provide you with the best mushroom growing kit and a buyer’s guide to help you with the selection process.
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10 Best Mushroom Growing Kits – Detailed Reviews
When you are growing a mushroom at your home, they have a safety factor as you can control the growth and chemical exposure. That is why we have selected the ten best indoor mushroom growing kits available in the market.
Let us directly jump to the detailed reviews of our best mushroom growing kit.
1. White Button Mushroom Growing Kit
White Button Mushrooms are the most used and consumed mushrooms around the world. It is easy to use and cook in almost any recipe.
You can experiment with soups, stir-fries, and stews by adding these mushrooms. Also, many people use them as a flavorful topping for poultry, pizza, or meat.
This best indoor mushroom growing kit weighs around 14 lbs. and measures about 12×12″. The white button mushrooms take only four to six weeks to grow up to 4lbs. Moreover, once they start growing, it will increase to twice the size every single day.
The mushroom growing kit includes instructions, a casing layer that you have to mix with water, and a colonized growing medium. The detailed instructions make the whole growing process easier and fun-filled. You can even visit their website if you would like to check out the instructions along with pictures.
Pros
- Continual Harvest
- Fast-growing mushroom
- Suitable for people of all ages
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can form black mold
2. Maximumstore, Simple Mushroom Growing Kit
Maximumstore Mushroom Growing Kit is the best mushroom growing kit for beginners. The videos and booklets explain everything in detail. If you are growing mushroom for the first time, this is your best choice.
The mushroom growing kit includes the six ultimate substrate jars. These are the best jars available on the internet.
You will get a free digital gauge upgrade with a thermometer/humidity gauge/hydrometer with this kit. Moreover, it is a 16x12x9 inch fruiting and growing chamber, half of the pint of pressure sterilized and premixed growing medium.
With ultra-fine perlite, the kit retains enough moisture to help with the process of growing mushrooms. You do not have to worry about the light as LED 500k ensures that your mushrooms get sufficient light.
You will be able to get the results within 10 days, as mentioned on the pack. It is a great kit for a starter, where you want to try your hand at growing mushrooms inside your home.
Pros
- Uses high-quality instruments
- Easy to understand the guide
- Includes a growing medium
- Translucent grow chamber to enhance visibility
Cons
- Struggle to open the mycelium packaging
- Can be easily contaminated
3. Crimini-Portobella Mushroom Growing Kit
We bring a mature version of white bottom mushroom, which is Crimini or Portobello mushroom. Crimini is sometimes sold under the name of “baby Portobello” or “baby Bella” as it is the younger version of Portobello.
Being similar in flavor to a white button, you will enjoy an earthy, nutty, and rich taste of crimini. With this best indoor mushroom growing kit, you can have your mushroom within 3 weeks at an enormous amount. You will love the fast harvest if you are new to this technique.
To use and understand the kit is like child’s play. These mushrooms do not require any light or sunlight. You can store the growing medium in the basement or under the table of your house. They should always be kept in a cool and dark place with minimum access to light.
Pros
- 4 pounds of mushroom in three weeks
- Comes with detailed instructions and videos
- Fast harvest
- Easy to use
Cons
- Similar to the white button, black mold can form
4. Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit
Pink Oysters Mushroom Grow Kit is yet another addition to the best mushroom growing kit for beginners. It is also among the prettiest mushroom growing kits. The mushroom possesses a pink base and sprouts into vividly gorgeous pink mushrooms.
With this kit, you do not have to do anything other than adding some water. The growth of the mushroom is a hundred percent guaranteed. The amazing thing about this kit is that it can last for months without the mushroom growing if you do not open it. It’s a great option to gift someone.
Once opened, you can grow the scrumptious mushrooms indoors in just about seven to ten days. You have everything from a spray bottle, spawn, and detailed instructions to grow your organic and healthy mushroom. You can grow your pink oyster mushroom anytime during the year.
Pros
- Ready within weeks’ time
- Indoor mushroom growing kit
- Can store for months unopened
- 100 percent guaranteed growth
Cons
- The flavor of mushroom can vary
- Color changes from pink to gray as it gets old
5. Shiitake Mushroom Growing Kit – Root Mushroom Farm
If you are a fan of smoker recipes such as smoked turkey, spicy chicken wings, smoked vegetables, and others, shiitake mushrooms can add their wondrous flavor to the recipe. With this best mushroom growing kit, you can have a bountiful of mushrooms in a minimum amount of time.
After receiving the kit, you can either start right away or after a week by storing it in the refrigerator. You will also get an instruction booklet and a spray bottle within the kit including a ready-to-fruit Shiitake mushroom log to a humidity tent.
The mushrooms will start to grow and sprout within four days if you have followed the right instructions and set up the kit in the right environment. A single product will last for about sixteen consecutive weeks, and you can easily harvest shiitake mushrooms for about 10 days.
This mushroom growing kit makes use of pure plant-based soil along with sawdust and wheat bran. This way, you are ensured that the mushrooms you are growing and eating are organic and healthy for your body.
Pros
- Start showing results within four days
- No tools required to set up
- Detailed step-by-step instructions
- Plant-based growing medium
Cons
- Need to use immediately
- The second harvest is small as compared to the first.
6. Back to The Roots Organic Mushroom Growing Kit
If you are worried that intoxicants could become an obstacle that would stop the growth of your mushroom, then you can be relaxed with this kit. Back to the Roots Mushroom Growing Kit is not genetically modified and is purely organic.
This best indoor mushroom growing kit allows you to grow the organic mushroom all around the year. There are no additional tools required for growing the mushroom. You can place the growing medium near a window without direct light and mist it two times a day. You will get scrumptious and beautiful mushrooms in a week.
The kit is manufactured in the UDA and has a hundred percent guaranteed rate for growing. The packaging makes it a perfect gift to give your family and friends. Additionally, the kit doesn’t require much maintenance.
Pros
- STEM curriculum access
- Packaging makes a great gift
- Best for beginners
- Great for long term use
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- The yield is low
7. Fully Colonized Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane is also known as pom pom mushrooms or hedgehogs having an icicle-like appearance. They are found mostly in hardwood forests. They have a very distinctive look. With this kit, you can grow your own Lion’s Mane at your home.
With each kit, you can grow about four pounds of mushrooms, which is more than enough for your food and to store away. The kit is directly shipped from The Michigan Mushroom Farm from South Lyon. They make sure that you receive a grown, cultivated, and high-quality product that produces great yield on every harvest.
This is the best mushroom growing kit for beginners as it provides you with simple and informed instructions. All you need to do is to fold down the flap to push out any excess air and place the kit within a cellophane bag. After that, just place it in a sunny place, mist twice a day, and your mushroom will start to harvest when the tip turns yellow.
Pros
- Grown your own Lion’s mane mushroom
- The compact design of the kit
- Best for beginners
- No maintenance required
Cons
- The bag is quite thin
- Cannot handle the sunlight
8. Reishi Mushroom Kit
Reishi mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting powers and anti-aging properties. That is the reason they are called mushroom of immortality. Moreover, for more than 2,000 years, reishi has been used as traditional Chinese medicine.
The reishi mushroom kit comes with detailed instructions and a plastic tent. The kit becomes alive at room temperature. You can simply place it in warm light, and it requires occasional mist to prevent drying.
Reishi mushrooms are great for indoor growing; however, they can also be used for outdoor growing under the right environmental conditions.
Pros
- Medicinal powers
- Attractive and unique design
- Easy to maintain and use
- Require minimal light
- Various health benefits
Cons
- Take time to harvest, about one to two months
- Warm weather is not suitable for the mushroom
9. Golden Oyster Mushroom Growing Kit
Pleurotus citrinopileatus is the scientific name for golden oyster mushroom, is a most popular Asian species. It is widely used among gardeners who appreciate the mushroom’s yellow color caps and its cashew-like flavor.
The kits are designed to provide ease and comfort while using. Anyone from beginners to experts who love mushrooms can take the benefit of this kit. You can easily harvest this kit any time of the year. They are great for indoor growth.
Each kit includes a sprayer bottle, a pre-populated growing substrate with mushroom mycelium, and a step-by-step instructional manual. By following the right instructions, you will get your successful first flush.
After harvesting, you can enjoy cooking and eating delicious mushroom recipes. The oyster mushrooms are low in calories, therefore, have many health benefits.
Pros
- Great kit for hobbyist grower
- Fast-growing process
- Includes a Maine facility
- Detailed guide
Cons
- Strong smell
10. Specialty Trio Mushroom Grow Kit
What if you get three different colored mushrooms in one pack? Isn’t it great? With the Specialty trio mushroom kit, you will get pink, white, and brown Oyster mushrooms. Most importantly, the mushrooms are purely organic with no chemicals added.
The best mushroom growing kit for beginners is safe to use around kids. You can even ask your kids to help you grow and cultivate mushrooms. Moreover, you can easily monitor the growth of your mushrooms from the beginning of the time they start germinating.
One advantage of buying this kit is that it can last for months if you do not open the kit. That makes it a perfect gift option for your gardener friends. Additionally, it is lightweight, which makes it easy to store and carry.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- A video tutorial for easy set-up
- Just mist occasionally, and it will grow naturally
- More than one harvest from one kit
Cons
- Two-third growth rate
Best Mushroom Growing Kit Buyer’s Guide
Selecting the best mushroom growing kit is challenging at first, especially when you are a beginner at growing mushrooms. But worry not, as this buying guide is specifically made to help you out. After reading this, we ensure that you will be ready with your final choice.
What Are Mushroom Growing Kits?
The mushroom growing kit provides a material on which your mushroom will grow. The material can be of many types, including sawdust, a piece or block of wood, or something with pores in it. Mushroom growing kit make it easier for you to have flavorful and delicious mushrooms with minimum effort.
You can easily grow your mushrooms inside your home or in a storm cellar, or you can even plant them somewhere around your vegetable nursery. Also, the kit maintains the environmental conditions required for the growth of the mushrooms.
There are several mushroom growing kits available in the market. Some are high times mushroom growing kits, while others are bulk mushroom growing kits. You can find these kits all around the world.
Why Do You Need A Mushroom Growing Kit?
Mushroom growing kits have several advantages. Some of which includes:
- Gift Option: The mushroom growing kit is perfect for occasional or a holiday gift for your loved ones who love to grow mushrooms. They will enjoy the process of harvesting the mushrooms at home.
- Save money: With the high-quality mushroom growing kits, you can have a bountiful number of mushrooms. You can store these mushrooms for months and save money over buying from the supermarket.
- Educational piece: The process of growing and setting up the mushroom growing kit is very exciting and fun. You can involve your children with you and teach them the process of growing organic mushrooms at home. They will discover the science behind the process.
- Reconnect with the original taste: You will enjoy the food you have grown yourself, and it will taste much better than others. You will enjoy a sense of contentment and satisfaction watching as your mushrooms grow and use them in your food.
Things You Need to Know Before Buying Mushroom Growing Kit
The best indoor mushroom growing kit allows you to harvest mushrooms in your home where you can grow different types of mushroom with ease and minimum effort. However, there are certain things you need to take care of before you purchase a mushroom growing kit.
Types of Mushroom
Each mushroom kit has different types of mushrooms, and they have their distinct taste and smell. You need to know the type of mushroom you like before you purchase the kit.
Here are some popular types of mushroom:
- Oyster Mushroom: Oyster mushrooms are the most popular and widely produced in the world. You can eat them cooked or raw as you like. They have a slightly chewy texture.
- Shiitake Mushroom: They are popularly used as a traditional herbal medicine that originated in East Asia. They have a meatier texture and are smaller in size.
- Reishi Mushroom: They are shaped like flat kidney beans and often bitter. They have herbal properties and are often used in herbal teas.
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom: This is one of the most beautiful looking mushrooms you can find all around the world. Their taste often resembles that of seafood.
- Portobello Mushroom: In the western world, Portobello is the most eaten mushroom. They are dense, meaty, and thick.
Growing Conditions
Your mushroom growing kit requires specific conditions for their growth. Most of the kits use indoor humidity and temperature to create growing conditions. Moreover, the temperature should be between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is necessary to imitate the growing conditions as directed so that the mushrooms can grow properly.
Growth Period
The growth period varies from mushroom to mushroom and also on the growing conditions. On average, a mushroom takes about seven to ten days to start growing.
Always check the growth period of your mushroom kit as it is easy to contaminate the kits, which stop mushroom growth.
Hay vs. Log block
If you would like to grow your mushrooms indoors, a sawdust hay block is a popular option. You only have to mist the hay block and ensure that it remains sterilized from the beginning to the end for healthy growth.
Another option to use is an inoculated log. An inoculated log is ideal for both indoors and outdoors growing. You can easily maintain it. Also, an inoculated log does not allow external factors to hinder the growth of your mushroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are the Best Places to Grow Mushrooms at Home?
You can grow mushrooms indoor and outdoor, depending on your personal preference and comfort level. However, when you grow mushrooms in your garden, it will take about six months to three years to fully grow.
On the other hand, mushrooms grow well in cool, humid, and dark places in your home. The basement and the cellar provide the right growing environment for your mushroom. You can also place it under your kitchen sink if there is no basement.
2. How to Store A Mushroom Growing Kit?
If you are not using the kit as soon as it arrives, you should store it in the refrigerator. But, make sure the surrounding is clean as they can attract unwanted bacteria and fungus. You can use some disinfectant spray to clean your fridge before placing the kit.
Second, you can store your kit in a ZipLock or a plastic bag. The bags will not allow the mushrooms to grow and also keep the fungi and bacteria away.
3. How Long Can You Store A Mushroom Growing Kit?
Many kits have their guidelines for storage and usage. Make sure you read all the instructions carefully before opening the kit.
Some mushroom growing kits can go for about 4 weeks without opening. There are some which can go for long, but that might decrease the effectiveness of growing your mushrooms. That is because the hibernating mycelium responsible for the growth might lose its strength with time.
Final Thoughts
The best mushroom growing kit has made growing mushrooms so fun and entertaining. They are educational for beginners, young adults, and even kids. They are amazed to learn how to grow cultivated and seasoned mushrooms in the comforts of their home.
Now that you know all about the best indoor mushroom growing kit, we hope you have made your final decision. Whether you are enthusiastic about learning how to grow mushrooms or it’s just a project for your science assignment at school, the mushroom growing kits are worth a try.
James Fields is the founder of Gardener to Farmer. His passion for gardening goes back to his childhood days when he would visit his grandfather during the holidays and help him with the plants in the backyard. This has now translated to creating a dependable resource for gardening.