10 Best Mushroom Growing Kits for your Garden (2022)

Even if you have a green thumb, there’s plenty of sites that warn you about the pitfalls of growing your own mushrooms. But more often than not, the problem isn’t that mushrooms are hard to grow, it’s that people are growing them the wrong way, and with the wrong supplies.

That’s why we came up with this comprehensive guide that walks you through all the best equipment to start your own mushroom growing kit operation, before diving into the best ways to grow mushrooms at home successfully!

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9 Best Mushroom Growing Kits

1. Mini All-in-One Mushroom Grow Bag – Best Overall

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Nothing!

It’s already fully hydrated and in a sterilized bag for whenever you’re ready to inoculate. The .2-micron filter patch allows clean air to flow into your bag, but it doesn’t let anything in that shouldn’t be there.

The only real drawback to the Mini All-in-One Mushroom Grow Bag is that you’re not going to be able to set up a larger operation with this setup, and you’ll need to purchase a new bag whenever you want to grow more.

But considering how affordable and easy it is, if you’re simply looking to grow your own mushrooms for personal use then it really is the perfect setup!

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Has everything you need
• Very easy to use
• Produces delicious mushrooms

Cons

• Not the highest yield

2. Reinforced Mushroom Grow Bags – Runner Up Grow Bags

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Spores
• Quick tie or impulse sealer
• Substrate

This affordable price tag paired with their bulk options means that they’re a great way to scale up your mushroom production.

Even better, the bags have a 0.2-micron filter patch that only lets clean air in, and this keeps out contaminants that could otherwise ruin your mushrooms. Just keep in mind that while these are outstanding grow bags, that’s all they are.

That means you’ll still need the substrate, spores, and even the quick ties to seal off the bags. So these bags are a great start, but ensure you get everything else you need while you’re placing your order!

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Very versatile
• Comes in bulk packs of 25 or 100
• Very scalable
• Tear-resistant bags
• 0.2-micron filter patch

Cons

• You still need quite a bit of stuff

3. Spawn and Wax Combo – Best Spores

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Wood growing area

Furthermore, it comes with shiitake wax and dowels, and has a detailed instruction packet to walk you through everything you need to know to grow perfect mushrooms. However, compared to most mushroom varieties, these Spawn and Wax Combo mushroom spores do take quite some time to grow.

Still, if you’re looking for the best of the best, having a little bit of a wait isn’t the end of the world. But keep in mind that these mushroom spores grow best on a wooden surface, so a typical mushroom growing kit container or bag might present some problems for you.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Includes 100+ mushroom mycelium infused plug spawn
• Provides shiitake wax and dowels
• Includes a detailed instruction pamphlet

Cons

• Takes a while to grow

4. BRF Jars Brown Rice Flour Mushroom Substrate – Best Substrate

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Spores
• Growing area

That’s because the substrate is where your mushrooms get all the nutrients they need to grow, and the wrong substrate can lead to mediocre results or worse. Luckily for you, BRF Jars Brown Rice Flour Mushroom Substrate is an outstanding choice for phenomenal yields.

The kit comes with six jars of substrate, which is more than enough for multiple mushroom growing kits. Even better, this versatile substrate is the perfect choice for almost any mushroom variety, so you can simply order and plant!

Finally, these jars include a gas exchange filter that helps keep everything purified and free of contaminants, which is a big part of having a successful yield.

However, there’s no doubt that this substrate is a more expensive choice, but since it’s going to give you the best possible results, it’s worth every penny.

Pros

• Includes six jars of substrate
• Very effective substrate
• 100% satisfaction guarantee
• Perfect for almost any mushroom species
• Includes a gas exchange filter

Cons

• More expensive option

5. Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit – Easiest Kit to Use

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Nothing!

It’s an extremely affordable kit that has everything you need to grow your first mushrooms. Even better, these mushrooms grow in as little as ten days, which means you can start your growing process and harvest your mushrooms in no time!

These mushrooms are 100% organic and insanely easy to grow, making them the perfect choice for beginners and those that don’t have a green thumb.

However, while this kit is affordable, you’re not getting a ton of mushrooms from each kit. This means that this mini mushroom kit is great if you simply enjoy growing mushrooms, but it’s not the best if you’re looking for a ton of mushrooms or to make a larger scale operation.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Has everything you need
• Mushrooms grow in just ten days
• Completely organic
• Easy to care for

Cons

• Does not produce many mushrooms

6. North Spore Blue Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit – Most Mushrooms from a Complete Kit

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Nothing!

Not only do you get a ton of mushrooms from each one of these kits, but they also have a very short growing time. Still, while you get a ton of mushrooms in relation to the size of the kit and the price, it’s not the way to scale up a larger operation.

Instead, these kits are best suited for mushroom-growing hobbyists, not larger-scale operators. Still, if you simply enjoy growing mushrooms and want a bunch to eat, then this kit gives you everything you need to have a bountiful harvest in no time!

Pros

• Easy to grow
• Has everything you need
• Affordably priced
• Very short growing time

Cons

• Not very scalable

7. Super Sprouter Deluxe Propagation Kit – Best Value Growing Container

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Substrate
• Spores

And while there are plenty of high-priced options out there, the Super Sprouter Deluxe Propagation Kit is a far more affordable option that can outdo many of them. For starters, it has a humidity control lid that helps raise the humidity levels up, and that’s where mushroom growing kit thrives.

Not only that, but the fluorescent light gives your mushrooms all the nutrients they need, and you can control the exact amount of light your mushrooms get with it. It’s a complete growing container that can take your mushroom growing kit to the next level, and that’s a pretty big deal.

Pros

• More affordable growing container
• Helps to raise humidity levels
• Allows you to grow more mushrooms
• Fluorescent light lets you control growing conditions

Cons

• More expensive than bags – but reusable

8. Ivation Herb Indoor Garden Kit – Best Hydroponic Growing Container

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Spores

And as an added perk, you don’t need a substrate, which helps offset the cost of growing your mushrooms one batch at a time. However, you can’t grow every mushroom variety hydroponically, which severely limits what you can do with the Ivation Herb Indoor Garden Kit.

And since it’s not a mushroom-specific growing container, you don’t get any specific instructions on how to grow mushrooms hydroponically, so it’ll be up to you to figure everything out.

Still, it’s a great way to start growing a bunch of mushrooms without spending a ton of money, and that’s a real win if you love mushrooms!

Pros

• Doesn’t need a substrate
• Easy to use
• You can control all the growing conditions

Cons

• More expensive option upfront
• Limited mushroom varieties
• Not mushroom specific

9. AeroGarden Bounty Indoor Garden with LED Grow Light – Premium Growing Container

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What You’ll Still Need:

• Substrate
• Spores

The only problem is that it’s also one of the most expensive options on the market.

Still, while you’re spending more for this growing container, you’re also getting a premium product with tons of features. For starters, it has tons of space for you to grow your mushrooms, which lets you scale your operation to any size you want.

Second, it has automatic timers that allow you to preset the perfect amount of light for your plants. Furthermore, there’s a vacation mode that will keep your plants thriving while you’re away.

Finally, this growing container uses a digital screen that measures the vital statistics of your garden, and that makes it easier than ever to keep everything alive and thriving. So sure, it’s a more expensive option, but with all the extra features it offers, it’s no surprise.

Pros

• Plenty of space to grow tons of mushrooms
• Automatic timers make everything easy to grow
• Vacation mode lets you care for them while away
• A digital screen gives your gardens vital stats

Cons

• More expensive option

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Buyer’s Guide

If you’re still a little unsure about what you need to grow mushrooms after reading through the top products then don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s why we came up with this comprehensive buyer’s guide to walk you through everything you need to know to grow mushrooms successfully the first time!

How to Grow Mushrooms

While some guides want to tell you the ins and outs of doing everything yourself, if you’re using the best equipment out there then there are only four steps you need to follow to grow mushrooms.

First, you need to fill the growing container with compost, such as the BRF Jars Brown Rice Flour Mushroom Substrate. Most complete kits will come with their own compost substrate, and this will get the job done too.

Second, you need to warm up the soil to about 70 degrees to kick off the growing process. This might sound like a challenge, but with something as easy as a heating pad you can get it done.

Third, cover the spawn and drop the soil temperature to about 60 degrees. During this time, you want to keep the soil moist to get maximum growth. Humidity containers can help with this, so that you don’t need to spray down the soil multiple times a day.

Finally, harvest your mushrooms when they’re ready! That’s really all there is to it, so don’t let people tell you that you can’t figure it out and grow your own mushrooms.

Which Mushroom Variety Should You Start With?

If you’re growing mushrooms for the first time, you really should stick with oyster mushrooms. The reason for this is simple – oyster mushrooms are the easiest to grow! Not only are oyster mushrooms one of the easiest mushrooms to grow, but they’re also delicious to eat.

Once you master these easier mushrooms, you can move on to some of the more challenging varieties to spice things up and continue to challenge yourself.

How Much Space Do You Need to Grow Mushrooms?

One of the best perks of growing mushrooms is that you don’t need a ton of space to get a large yield. In fact, if you convert an entire closet or large cabinet into a growing area then you can grow as much as 45-pounds of mushrooms!

So when you’re setting up your mushroom growing kit operation, don’t think that you need a ton of space. In fact, if you’re only growing mushrooms for yourself and your family, a single growing container is likely large enough to grow all the mushrooms you need!

How Long Does It Take Mushrooms to Grow?

It really depends on the variety, but for most mushrooms they grow from spores to full-sized mushrooms in anywhere from one to two months. This is one of the shortest turn-around times for any edible plant, which allows you to get a non-stop supply if you stagger the planting schedule properly.

Furthermore, some varieties start to produce mushrooms in just ten days, which is extremely impressive! Just keep in mind that larger mushroom varieties typically take a little longer to grow.

What You Need to Grow Mushrooms

If you’re thinking of growing your own mushrooms, there are three main things you need. First, you need a place to grow the mushrooms. This can be something as simple as a filtered bag, or you can get a full growing container setup.

Second, you need the substrate. Mushrooms require a very specific compost substrate, so don’t think you can just head to Home Depot and pick up some potting soil and be good to go. We highlighted some great compost choices here, but if you’re really committed and know what you’re doing, you can make your own compost to grow your mushrooms in.

Finally, you need your spores. Even if you have the perfect setup, you can’t grow mushrooms from nothing! Get some high-quality mushroom spores because this is where the mushroom actually comes from.

If you meet all these conditions and find the perfect spot for your mushrooms to grow, you’ll have mushrooms growing in your home in no time!

Getting the Perfect Mushroom Conditions

Once you have all the right supplies for growing your mushrooms, you need to get the perfect conditions. Keep in mind that there are typically two phases for growing mushrooms, and you’ll need to meet different temperature requirements for each phase.

Not only that, but different mushroom varieties will require different temperatures, so you should use the following information as a general guide, not a guarantee.

The first temperature you need to meet is during the initial planning phase. During this time, the soil should be about 70 degrees. But once you see the mycelium you need to lower the temperature of the soil to about 60 degrees.

Once you get the temperature right, it’s time to worry about humidity. Mushrooms need tons of humidity. Ideally, you want to keep the humidity level between 80 and 90 percent for maximum mushroom growth.

Finally, unlike most plants that need sunlight to grow, most mushrooms need tons of dark space. You can occasionally provide them with some sunlight, but they’ll typically do best with as little sunlight as possible.

Because of this, many people choose to grow their mushrooms in closets or cabinets that allow you to keep as much light away as possible.

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Final Thoughts

Growing mushrooms doesn’t need to be an extremely difficult endeavor if you take the time to get the right equipment the first time. Don’t think that you can cut corners with inferior equipment and get the same results.

In fact, it’s far more likely that you’ll end up with no mushrooms and a ton of frustration. Instead, take our word for it, follow our guide, get the best equipment, and get a ton of mushrooms the first time!