3 Effective Tips on How to Grow Shrooms

Mushrooms have long been nature’s quiet alchemists, thriving in hidden corners of the world—from dewy fields to rain-drenched forests. But gone are the days when finding magic mushrooms meant embarking on a foraging expedition.

With the proper knowledge and setup, you can cultivate your psychedelic fungi from home. Whether you’re drawn to their mind-expanding properties or potential therapeutic benefits, these three practical tips will guide you toward a successful harvest.

How Hard Is It to Grow Mushrooms at Home?

mind mend mushroom foraging

Growing mushrooms at home is surprisingly simple—no green thumb is required. Whether you’re cultivating psilocybin mushrooms or lion’s mane, the process doesn’t demand expert gardening skills.

However, there are crucial factors to consider, especially for city dwellers navigating limited space. If you’re growing mushrooms in a cramped apartment, tucked away in a closet, or hidden under a lofted bed (we’re not judging), you’ll need to be mindful of potential risks—like mold taking over your grow kit instead of healthy mushrooms.

To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide outlining the essential do’s and don’ts of indoor mushroom cultivation.

What to Do and Avoid When Growing Shrooms

Not one of your average oyster mushrooms
Source: unsplash by Kiwihug

1. No Pets Near the Grow

If you want to ensure a failed mushroom-growing experiment, just mishandle the inoculation process. This critical step—injecting psilocybin mycelia into a pre-sterilized substrate—requires precision and cleanliness.

Contamination is your biggest enemy, and even something as small as mold spores or pet fur can ruin your entire batch. And while a cat-infused mycelium jar won’t actually sprout whiskered, meowing mushrooms (thankfully), pet hair, and other contaminants can introduce harmful bacteria.

If you’re not careful, your pets can contaminate your mushrooms. Usuall,y after rubbing against your body and clothes.

So what’s the solution?

  1. Start with a proper shower, wash your hair, and dress in clean clothing.
  2. Select the most spotless room in your home, switch off all fans and AC units, and fumigate thoroughly.
  3. Glove up (rubber please) and wipe your work surface with isopropyl alcohol. We’re talking mycelium jars to pretty much everything around you.
  4. Give yourself the ol’ double-pits-to-chest Axe-style spray down with Lysol. Then it’s time to slip on your surgical mask and get down to business. Keep your pets strictly in another room.

Remember to add water to your hardwood sawdust and grain to create your base for growing mushrooms. A 5-pound block should be enough to start with. Use sawdust picked from oak, alder, and sweet gum trees to grow your mushrooms.

Sawdust is popular due to its nitrogen-poor nature. The sawdust mixture forms the perfect food for your budding mushrooms.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be on the path to a successful harvest.

Play Music for Your Shrooms

growing mushrooms at home
Source: unsplash by Cas Holmes

Research suggests that plants benefit from music as they grow—just take a look at The Secret Life of Plants. But what about mushrooms? While fungi aren’t technically plants, anecdotal evidence points to a similar phenomenon.

Take, for example, Ernestus Chad’s album, Music to Grow Mushrooms To. His record label claims that mushrooms exposed to his music under controlled conditions grew 30% faster than those in silence.

While you might not have a full band or recording studio at your disposal, curating a personalized playlist for your mushroom cultivation setup could enhance the experience. Not only might it help your focus, but it could also make the entire process feel more immersive—perhaps even magical.

After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? Just choose the kind of music you’d enjoy during a psychedelic trip and let the vibes do the rest.

Don’t Dry Your Mushrooms in One Big Pile

How NOT to dry your mushrooms
Source: unsplash by Annie Spratt

Imagine executing every step of the mushroom-growing process flawlessly—sterilization, check; proper mycelium inoculation, check; perfect temperature, and moisture control, double-check. Weeks pass, and your grow box is overflowing with plump, healthy mushrooms.

Everything seems to be going perfectly—until one misstep ruins it all. Storing fresh mushrooms in a single covered bowl might seem harmless, but it can lead to blackened spores and a foul odor. Attempting to salvage them with a fan won’t help; instead, they’ll shrivel into charred remnants, practically warning, “Don’t eat me! Poisonous!” This disaster happens due to trapped moisture and mold, wiping out weeks of effort in a single day.

Growing mushrooms at home isn’t just a casual DIY project—it’s a delicate craft. But for those willing to invest the time and care, the rewards go beyond the harvest. It’s about understanding, respecting, and connecting with the magic these mushrooms hold.

How Long Does It Take to Grow Mushrooms?

This completely depends on the mushroom variety and growing conditions. But one to two months is the ideal time frame. Make sure you keep a close eye on your mycelium cakes. Pretty soon, you should start seeing white bumps that later sprout into ‘pins’.

Your mushrooms should be ready for harvest 5–12 days after your first sighting. We highly recommend you pick them before the veil breaks to reveal the gills. Despite all these guidelines, it boils down to the mushroom grower’s personal research.

Remember, you must understand all rules and regulations about the cultivation of mushrooms in your state.

Mind Mend: The Real Magic You’ve Been Looking For

red wooden panel board
Source: unsplash by Karly Santiago

Or you could just let us bring ready-made magic directly to your door. We offer you the best quality magic mushrooms out there. Not only that, but we also guide you along your shroom journey.

Whether you’re a beginner,

Very knowledgeable staff and honest. Walked me through my first experience and you can tell these guys want to legit help people. Needed advice when it came to coming off medications and they were super helpful.” – Tung’ Le

Getting back in the mushroom swing,

I just recently rediscovered mushrooms after 30 years. I love how the next day my mind isn’t so loud and I can focus. I need to learn more about how this amazing product works!”  – Kathie Pearlman

Or a seasoned mushroom user,

I’ve tried lots of products on the market and they seem very inconsistent when it comes to dosage and quality. Mind Mend has never let me down. Top-notch quality with consistency.”  – Bruce Ingraham

We’re here to answer all of your questions. Contact us now!

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Desmond Green