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

Best Oyster

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Grow Kit

$20 at Amazon $22 at Walmart $13 at Target

You don’t need a green thumb to grow high-quality mushrooms. The kits from this brand come with everything you need, including a gardening block, mushroom cultures, and a water mister all in one convenient box. This particular one grows pearl oyster mushrooms, though there are other types available including pink oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and even a log-style kit that also grows shiitake mushrooms. 

We tested this cut for ourselves and found that caring for the mushrooms is relatively straightforward. After soaking the grow block overnight, we placed it in indirect sunlight and misted several times daily. All of the instructions were clear, with both written directions and helpful drawings. The kit says that within 10 days, you should be able to harvest your first flush of oyster mushrooms—we saw growth after just three and significant 'shrooms after seven.

We'd recommend this great kit for first-time mushroom growers or families wanting to get the kiddos interested in gardening. Pearl oysters are even a good choice for introducing someone to mushrooms, thanks to their mild nutty taste with earthy and sweet notes. 

Care Requirements: Mist twice a day | Sunlight Exposure: Indirect light | Amount Per Crop: 3-4 servings | Estimated Grow Time: 10 days

Best Lion’s Mane

North Spore Lion's Mane Mushroom Spray & Grow Kit

$37 at Amazon View on Trueleafmarket.com $38 at Anthropologie

When you hear the word “mushroom,” you probably picture a cute little fungus with a soft stalk and a frilled cap, such as a button mushroom. However, mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes. Take the lion’s mane mushroom for example: It looks like a lumpy ball of shaggy white fur.

This particular mushroom is known for a slightly sweet taste with the texture of seafood. If you find yourself cooking up a lot of fish, give this kit a try. It fits neatly in a little box and includes a mister, which should be spritzed on the kit two to three times per day.

We loved how easy it was to care for this kit. The step-by-step instruction booklet was relatively simple, but the website had FAQs and in-depth PDFs when we wanted more info. The lion's mane was ready to harvest after 10 days of growth—right on time. For best results, start the kit as soon as you receive it in the mail and keep it in a cool, shady spot.

Care Requirements: Mist 2-3 times a day | Sunlight Exposure: Partial shade | Amount Per Crop: 0.5 to 1.5 pounds | Estimated Grow Time: 2-3 weeks

Best Pink Oyster

Forest Origins Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit

Orig. $34 $26 at Amazon $40 at Etsy

Pink oysters look absolutely stunning. The rosy hue combined with the wavy, fan-like caps evoke underwater corals, which is fitting considering they have notes of seafood. This grow kit is about as simple as growing mushrooms can get. Cut an X in the growing block and mist twice a day. It works best in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. When we tried it ourselves, we found it grew way faster than advertised, ready to harvest after just nine days.

The growing block is an organic substrate made of sawdust and wheat bran. While the block itself may not be as pretty as the mushrooms, it’s certainly a convenient way to grow them. No need to plant them in an outdoor garden or fumble with soil and pots. Whether it’s for cooking or a science experiment, this kit is ideal for beginners and kids alike. 

Care Requirements: Mist twice daily | Sunlight Exposure: Indirect light | Estimated Grow Time: 10-14 days

Best Shiitake

2FunGuys Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit

$39 at Amazon $30 at Williams-Sonoma $36 at Etsy

This kit is better suited for people with plenty of patience. The aptly named 2FunGuys log-style mushroom growing kit produces shiitake mushrooms, and though it's certainly stunning to look at, it takes quite a bit of time to grow: about six to 12 months. The care routine is more involved, too, including 24-hour-long soaks, brief times in the refrigerator, and storing in dark, warm spots. Luckily, the included instructions are easy to follow and fun to read.

So far, our mushroom log kit has produced two gorgeous shiitake mushrooms ahead of schedule, though the other small buds are taking their time. There's no need for daily misting, but it does need a full soak every month or so as needed.

Unlike other kits that may only fruit mushrooms once or twice, this log can grow mushrooms for up to three years. 2FunGuys also has an oyster mushroom log kit available. 

Care Requirements: Soak log for 24 hours, then mist occasionally | Sunlight Exposure: Shade | Amount Per Crop: Unknown | Estimated Grow Time: 6-12 months

Best Chestnut

Hernshaw Farms Big Chestnut Grow Kit

$35 at Etsy

Chestnut mushrooms have a beautiful, toasty golden-brown coloration and a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. If you’ve got a hankering for chestnut mushrooms and like gardening, this 6-pound block of substrate can produce a hearty harvest of chestnut mushrooms: up to 3 pounds in its lifetime. 

We recommend this kit for intermediate gardeners and growers, as it takes a bit more patience and care than other kits on this list. The misting itself isn’t difficult, only requiring one or two spritzes a day, but the chestnut mushroom requires shade and cooler temperatures ranging from 50 to 65 degrees. We found the setup pretty easy, though we wished it came with written instructions instead of a link to online directions.

You’ll be able to harvest the first round of chestnut mushrooms in about three months or so (ours are still growing). Hernshaw Farms has a wide variety of mushroom kits to choose from, including snow oysters, big reishi, and golden oysters. 

Care Requirements: Mist once or twice daily | Sunlight Exposure: Shade | Amount Per Crop: 0.5-1.5 pounds | Estimated Grow Time: 3+ months

Best Grow Bag

MushroomSupplies.com All in ONE Mushroom Grow Kit in-a-Bag

Orig. $36 $34 at Amazon View on Mushroomsupplies.com

Want to grow a specific type of mushroom, but can’t find a kit for it? Never fear, that’s what grow bags are for. This handy all-in-one grow bag has a premium substrate made of vermiculite, millet, gypsum, and coco-coir. Though you will have to purchase the mushroom liquid cultures or spores separately, the grow bag will take care of the rest. 

The bag features a filter patch that allows for air flow without contaminants getting inside. There’s also a self-healing injection port where you’ll add the mushroom culture. It’s a smart and easy kit that has step-by-step video instructions via a slick site. The bag is able to grow up to 2.5 pounds of mushrooms per crop.

Ours is currently in the process of growing, but we had fun setting it up. Everything was focused on sterile equipment and a clean workspace. To that end, the kit included alcohol wipes to ensure no unwanted bacteria got inside the bag. We're eager to see the fruits of our labor.

Size: 3 pounds | Includes: Mix of substrate and grain | Amount Per Crop: 2.5 pounds