How to grow Lion's Mane?

Growing Lion’s Mane mushrooms means the process of cultivating Lion’s Mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus). This process involves several key steps and is a methodical process that requires careful attention to conditions such as temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. The goal is to produce healthy, high-quality mushrooms for culinary, medicinal, or other uses.

How to grow Lion’s Mane indoors step-by-step

Unfortunately, you’re not likely to find fresh Lion’s Mane at your local grocery store, so having a supply of your own will keep you enjoying Lion’s Mane all year round. The method for growing your own Lion’s Mane is almost the same as for other fungi types. This cultivation method allows for year-round production of the mushroom for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Growing Lion’s Mane can take several weeks from the first step to the last, but the process is satisfying and results in fresh, homegrown mushrooms. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow a Lion’s Mane at home.

STEP 1: Preparing your supplies and growing area

Recommended supplies needed for Lion’s Mane growing are listed below:

Pressure cooker
Kitchen scales
Measuring cups
Lion’s Mane grain spawn
Mushroom-growing bags or buckets
Hardwood pellets
Soy hulls

Cleanliness is key to preventing contamination. Before starting, sanitize your workspace with a proper cleaning solution. Preparing the substrate, inoculating, and incubating it within a mushroom-growing bag simplifies the handling process. Afterward, the growing technique can be personalized—whether using bags, jars, or a small chamber setup.

STEP 2: Preparing your mushroom substrate

Properly preparing your mushroom substrate is a crucial step in the mushroom cultivation process. This is the stage where bacteria or competing organisms may be introduced. It is especially relevant for Lion’s Mane mushrooms, as they take longer to develop compared to other mushrooms. This longer development period increases the risk of contamination.

Various types of substrates can be used to grow Lion’s Mane mushrooms, including supplemented ones. A quality substrate should provide the nutrients and hydration your mushrooms need to flourish. Starting with a solid foundation is essential for success.

STEP 3: Inoculating mushroom substrate

Before beginning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Sanitize your workspace before opening the growing bag. For optimal results, carry out the inoculation in a controlled, decontaminated area, such as a flow hood or a sterilized clear box with built-in gloves.

For a 2.3 kg substrate, it is recommended to use 200 grams of grain spawn mix. When using grain spawn, gently break it apart and mix it evenly throughout the substrate mix, ensuring uniform distribution. An effective method is to open the bag, quickly add the spawn, seal the bag immediately, and then mix the contents within the sealed bag. Ideally, this process should be done in front of a flow hood to minimize exposure time.

Once the Lion’s Mane spawn is mixed into the substrate, seal your growing bag or cover your container.

STEP 4: Incubating your mushrooms

After your substrate is prepared and inoculated, allow the Lion’s Mane fungi to begin its growth.

Store the growing bag in a dark space away from direct sunlight and maintain a room temperature of 18-25°C, ideally around 23°C. This will create the optimal environment for incubation.

How to promote fruiting for your Lion’s Mane?

To support your Lion’s Mane mushrooms in fruiting, create conditions that enhance growth.

Increase humidity. Maintain the growing bag in a shady area and mist the substrate multiple times a day.
Create a humid environment. Place the growing bag in a plastic liner and spray the inside for increased humidity. Alternatively, use wet tissue paper or cloth inside the outer lining.
Adjust bag openings. Cut a small hole (5 cm) on the side of the bag rather than the top to control moisture and promote larger mushroom clusters. Use one hole per 750 grams of substrate. Fold and tape down the bag top to prevent mushrooms from growing there.

When to harvest Lion’s Mane?

Harvesting can take place at any point during the growing cycle, but you can typically tell the mushroom has completed its growth cycle when it forms tendrils at the bottom measuring 3-5 cm in length. Aim to harvest your mushroom after tendrils start to form but before it begins releasing spores. If you spot white powder inside your humidity tent, the mushroom has started to sporulate.

How long does Lion’s Mane take to grow?

Lion’s Mane mushrooms generally take several weeks to grow, from inoculation to harvest. The growth timeline can vary depending on the cultivation methods and environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light. Here is a general overview of the timeline:

Incubation Period. After inoculation, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the substrate. During this period, the substrate should be kept in a dark, warm, and humid environment.
Fruiting Stage. Once the substrate is fully colonized, you can move it to a fruiting environment with higher humidity and indirect light. This stage usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks.
Harvesting. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are typically ready for harvest once the spines have fully extended and the mushroom is fresh and white. The timing can vary, but it usually takes around 1 week from the start of fruiting for the mushrooms to be ready.

In total, the process from inoculation to harvest can take around 3 to 6 weeks. The key to successful cultivation is maintaining optimal growing conditions throughout the process.

Is Lion’s Mane mushroom easy to grow?

Lion’s Mane is a relatively easy mushroom to cultivate, but it can be challenging for beginners as the mycelium takes longer to develop than other mushrooms. First-time growers might additionally discover it hard to determine if the Lion’s Mane is fully colonized and ready to deliver fruit. If you’re unfamiliar with mushroom growing, you seek some hands-on experience initially.

Lion’s Mane – Legality

The mysterious mushroom of Lion’s Mane is perfectly legal everywhere in the world. This means you can purchase it without any concerns about legal restrictions or regulations. Whether you are interested in exploring its culinary uses, seeking its reputed cognitive or immune system benefits, or simply drawn to its striking visual appeal, you can acquire Lion’s Mane mushroom with peace of mind.

How to grow Lion’s Mane mushrooms on logs?

Outdoor cultivation on logs is a low-maintenance method to maintain a supply of Lion’s Mane. This method uses hardwood logs (like beech or oak), which serve as a natural substrate for long-term growth. Following inoculation with plug spawn, logs should be placed in a shaded area with good air circulation.

Prepare the logs: Drill holes and fill with spawn.
Seal the holes: Use melted wax to cover each plug.
Incubate: Store the logs in a shaded, humid area to encourage growth over several months.

Soaking the logs occasionally can help trigger fruiting once the mycelium has fully colonized the wood.

Cultivation Best Practices

Avoid these common issues for a successful growing experience:

Insufficient cleanliness or poor sanitation
Incorrect temperature or humidity levels
Over-watering or under-watering
Poor air circulation

Where does Lion’s Mane grow in nature?

In the wild, Lion’s Mane grows on decaying hardwood trees like oak and beech, contributing to the decomposition process. This mushroom is commonly found in North America, Europe, and Asia during the late summer to fall months.