Lions mane mushroom grow kit: how to grow it

How to grow lion's mane mushrooms from a kit

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a tooth fungus. Wikipedia says it "tends to grow in a single clump with dangling spines". ⁴

Most beginners start with a kit. The block arrives already colonised, so your job is air and water.

Rootlab, an Australian seller, says you should "cut a small X in the side of the bag where you want the mushrooms to grow" if pins form inside it. ²

North Spore, a US seller, suggests "cutting 3-4 small X’s on one plane of the bag." ³ Your box may say something else. Follow it.

One thing is specific to this species. North Spore says "Lion’s mane is prone to fruiting within the bag before being exposed to air; we do not recommend cutting holes where these fruits have begun to form." ³

Is lion's mane hard to grow?

It depends on who you ask, and on your home.

Little Acre rates its kit "Beginner". ¹ Rootlab lists "Skill Level: Easy". ² North Spore's FAQ goes further: "Oyster mushrooms and lion's mane mushroom fruiting block kits are great for beginners because they are reliable producers and require the least amount of effort." ³ That is the seller's own view.

The catch is conditions. Rootlab tells buyers: "Important: Check your fruiting temperature before purchasing and ensure you can provide the temperature this species needs." ²

So the kit is simple. A warm kitchen may be the problem. If you're weighing up another species first, our page on oyster mushroom kits covers one.

What conditions does lion's mane need?

Sellers don't agree on one temperature, so treat these as examples.

Rootlab gives "18°C–24°C". ² Little Acre gives "Fruiting temperature: 10°C to 24°C". ¹ North Spore's guide lists "13-21°C". ³

For humidity, Rootlab says "85–95%. Mist 2–3 times daily." ² It also asks for "Gentle airflow to remove CO₂ buildup." ²

Little Acre warns about wind: "They do not like it breezy so please keep the lil fusspots out of draughts." ¹ Gentle airflow and no draughts sound like opposites. Both are from sellers, so ask your seller what they mean for your kit.

North Spore adds: "Avoid direct moisture (during pinning and fruitbody phases) and excess humidity (during fruitbody phase) to prevent rot." ³ Pinning is when the tiny mushrooms first appear.

How long until the first harvest?

Expect a few weeks. Sellers count the time differently.

Little Acre lists "14 - 21 days - patience is a virtue". ¹ North Spore says "Expect to harvest your first flush of fresh mushrooms in as little as seven days." ³

Rootlab splits it up. It lists a growing time of "10–21 days" and later says "Harvest after 6–7 days from initial growth." ²

A flush is one round of mushrooms. Little Acre says the first flush "will likely be one big Lion’s Mane mushroom - enough to cook a meal for 2-3 people." ¹

When to pick, and what the colours mean

North Spore says "Mushrooms should be harvested after teeth have formed but before they elongate." ³ The teeth are the spines.

Don't wait too long. Rootlab says "Waiting too long can cause spores to start dropping, which shortens the shelf life of your mushrooms." ²

Yellow mushrooms are a sign to act. Rootlab says: "Yellow mushrooms? This usually means humidity is too low or temperature is too high. Increase misting or move the kit to a cooler spot." ²

The mushrooms are edible and used in cooking. Wikipedia says "The edible fruiting bodies are common in gourmet cooking". ⁴

More harvests, and what's in the kit

Little Acre lists "2-3 harvests". ¹ Rootlab says "Expect up to 3 flushes." ² Both are the sellers' own figures, not guarantees.

Rootlab explains the reset: "After each harvest, remove all remaining fruit bodies, allow the block to rest 3–4 days, then soak in cold water for 2–3 hours before resuming misting." ²

Sellers also list yields. Rootlab gives "Yield: 200–400g" for its 1 kg kit. ²

Wikipedia says "It is cultivated using artificial logs, bottles, and polypropylene bags." ⁴ Rootlab describes its mix as "a blend of sawdust and lupin hulls". ²

Prices and shipping

On 3 November 2026, Little Acre's Lion's Mane kit showed "$36.95", tax included. ¹ The page states no currency, but it is an Australian store.

Rootlab showed "Price range: $25.00 through $55.00" for its 1 kg to 4 kg kits, with GST included. ² It also notes "Cannot be shipped to WA." ² Check this before you order if you live in Western Australia.

North Spore showed "$34.99" for a single block on its US site, with the region set to US dollars. ³

Spawn is a different product from a kit, and our page on oyster mushroom spawn types and storage explains the difference. Prices change. If you'd rather grow on wood, see our page on a shiitake mushroom log. For a wider look at Australian sellers, see our page on Australian mushroom grow kits.