Lion’s Mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are among the most exciting mushrooms to grow at home—not only for their delicate seafood-like flavour but also for their brain-boosting and immune-supporting properties. Best of all, growing them at home is easier than you think with the right materials and techniques!
This guide will cover everything you need to know, from inoculation to harvest and even making your Lion’s Mane powder. Plus, don’t miss our upcoming Lion’s Mane Growing Workshop at Yarraville Community Centre (YCC) in Term 2 for hands-on experience!
🍄 Why Grow Lion’s Mane at Home?
✔ Freshness & Potency: Homegrown Lion’s Mane is more potent than store-bought versions.
✔ Cost-Effective: Buying dried or powdered Lion’s Mane can be expensive—growing your own saves money!
✔ Satisfaction & Sustainability: Growing mushrooms at home is rewarding and reduces food miles.
🛠️ Materials You’ll Need
To get started, you’ll need:
1️⃣ Growing Substrate & Containers
- Pre-sterilised Master’s Mix Grow Bags (50% hardwood sawdust, 50% soybean hulls) – the best substrate for Lion’s Mane.
- Alternative: Hardwood pellets + wheat bran (will require sterilisation using a pressure cooker).
2️⃣ Mushroom Spawn
- Bulk Lion’s Mane Spawn (grain spawn for inoculation).
3️⃣ Equipment
- Gloves & Isopropyl Spray (for a clean inoculation process).
- Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC) – A modified plastic tub for fruiting mushrooms with proper humidity (Optional).
- Dehydrator & Blender (for making Lion’s Mane powder).
👉 Where to Source Materials? We stock pre-sterilised Master’s Mix grow bags and bulk Lion’s Mane spawn—perfect for home growers!
🧪 Step 1: Inoculating the Grow Bags
1️⃣ Clean your workspace with alcohol spray.
2️⃣ Using disposable gloves, break up the Lion’s Mane grain spawn inside the bag.
3️⃣ Open the pre-sterilised Master’s Mix grow bag slightly and add 5-10% grain spawn by weight.
4️⃣ Mix thoroughly by gently massaging the outside of the bag.
5️⃣ Seal the bag using a zip tie, rubber band or heat sealer.
💡 Pro Tip: The higher the ratio of grain spawn, the greater the success rate.
🌡️ Step 2: Incubation (Colonisation Stage)
📍 Where? A warm, dark area (18-22°C) like a cupboard or shelf.
⏳ Time? 2-4 weeks.
👀 What to Look For?
✔ White fluffy mycelium spreading throughout the bag.
❌ If you see green, black, or slimy patches, remove the bag, as it’s contaminated.
Next Step: Once fully colonised (all white), it’s time to introduce fresh air and humidity for fruiting!
🌿 Step 3: Fruiting in a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC)
A Shotgun Fruiting Chamber (SGFC) is an easy way to fruit Lion’s Mane indoors. It’s a plastic tub with holes drilled in it to allow fresh air exchange while maintaining humidity.
Setting Up the SGFC
1️⃣ Drill 6mm holes on all sides, including the lid and bottom, spaced ~5cm apart.
2️⃣ Fill the bottom with 5-10 cm of damp perlite (helps maintain humidity).
3️⃣ Place your fully colonised grow bag inside.
4️⃣ Cut a slit from the top of the bag to the bottom of the bag to allow mushrooms to grow out.
5️⃣ Mist the walls of the chamber with water 2-3 times daily (avoid direct misting on the mushrooms).
6️⃣ Keep the chamber in a well-lit area (indirect light is best).
💡 Ideal Fruiting Conditions:
- Temperature: 15-20°C
- Humidity: 85-95%
- Fresh Air Exchange: Fanning the chamber 2-3 times per day
Watch for growth within 10-15 days! The mushrooms will start as white pom-pom clusters before elongating into full Lion’s Mane.
🔪 Step 4: Harvesting Your Lion’s Mane
⏳ Harvest Time: 1521 days after fruiting starts.
✔ Look for fully formed, fluffy clusters with a soft texture.
✔ Use a clean knife or scissors to cut at the base.
💡 Storage:
- Fresh: Store in a paper bag in the fridge (lasts ~1 week).
- Dried: Slice and dehydrate at 70°C for 12 hours.
🌟 Step 5: Making Lion’s Mane Powder
Homemade Lion’s Mane powder is great for teas, coffees, and cooking!
How to Make It:
1️⃣ Dehydrate fully until mushrooms are crisp.
2️⃣ Blend into a fine powder using a high-speed blender or coffee grinder.
3️⃣ Store in an airtight container away from heat & moisture.
✅ Use in teas, smoothies, or cooking for a daily health boost!
📅 Join Our Upcoming Workshop!
Want hands-on experience? Join our Term 2 “Grow Your Own Lion’s Mane” Workshop at Yarraville Community Centre (YCC)!
✔ Learn how to inoculate grow bags, set up a fruiting chamber, and harvest fresh Lion’s Mane.
✔ Walk away with your own grow bag and SFGC to take home!
📅 When? Date to be confirmed in Term 2
📍 Where? Yarraville Community Centre
👉 Interested? Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Instagram for updates!
🍄 Final Thoughts
Growing Lion’s Mane at home is a rewarding and sustainable way to enjoy this gourmet medicinal mushroom. Whether you’re growing for fresh eating, health benefits, or making your own powder, following these steps will ensure successful harvests every time.
💬 Have Questions?
Drop a comment below. Happy growing! 🍄✨
