Known for its unique, shaggy appearance and numerous health benefits, lion's mane mycelium is a valuable addition to any house dinner. Although it might be difficult to spot in your nearby grocery stores, the good news is that you can actually grow it on your own. How to grow lion's mane? You may ask.
There are mainly 2 ways to grow lion's mane mushrooms, either growing them in bags or logs. Regardless of which way you prefer, this comprehensive guide will take you through every step of growing Lion’s Mane, both indoors and outdoors, from understanding the mushroom to growing, harvesting, and storing it.
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of what you’ll find in this guide:
Table of Contents
What Is Lion's Mane Mushroom?
Lion’s Mane mushroom, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is a distinctive edible fungus recognized for its long, shaggy spines that resemble a lion’s mane. Native to Asia, Europe, and North America, the mycelium grows in clumps on rotting hardwood trees, particularly oak, beech, and maple, often appearing in late summer or fall.
Lion’s Mane mushroom is highly prized not only for its culinary appeal—boasting a lobster-like flavor and meaty texture—but also for its potential medicinal properties. Researchindicates it may offer neuroprotective benefits, supporting cognitive function and brain health.
This blend of delicious flavor and potential health benefits makes Lion’s Mane mushroom a popular choice for both cooking and supplementation.
Lion's Mane Mushroom Cultivation
Growing Lion’s Mane mushrooms begins with a key decision: choosing the cultivation method. The two most common methods for cultivating lion’s mane mushrooms are using bags or logs. The choice you make dictates the level of care required, the environment needed, and the overall approach to successfully nurturing these unique fungi. Let's check out the differences.
Growing Lion's Mane in Bags/Indoors - Beginner Friendly
Growing lion’s mane in bags or containers indoors is significantly faster, with mushrooms ready for harvest in as little as 6 to 8 weeks after inoculating the substrate. This method is favored for its controlled environment indoors, allowing growers to manage factors like humidity, temperature, and air circulation with precision. Without a doubt, it's better for beginners.
During the inoculation process, it is crucial to use the lion's mane spawn, which must be adequately mixed with the substrate to ensure successful cultivation. The controlled conditions also reduce the risk of contamination and enable year-round cultivation, independent of outdoor weather conditions.
It’s particularly advantageous for indoor cultivation, as it requires less space and can yield mushrooms more quickly than log cultivation.
Growing Lion's Mane on Logs/Outdoors - Long-term Supply
Growing Lion’s Mane on logs closely replicates their natural environment. It is a cost-effective and reliable method for achieving a long-term supply of fresh mushrooms. It does require patience, though, as your first harvest typically occurs one to two years after inoculation. However, once the mushrooms start growing, a single log can produce lion’s mane for up to six years.
This method is heavily influenced by external factors like weather, making it more challenging but also more rewarding for those seeking an authentic mushroom-growing experience.
How to Grow Lion's Mane Mushrooms Indoors
Indoor cultivation offers a controlled environment, which is crucial for the delicate early stages of growing Lion's Mane mushrooms. Ready to grow lion's mane in a bag or container? The following steps will guide you through this process:
Step 1: Preparing the Supplies
Creating a clean and sterile work environment is the first and most critical step in cultivating Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Any introduction of bacteria, mold, or other contaminants can disrupt or destroy your efforts by outcompeting the mushroom spawn for nutrients. To minimize the risk of contamination, thoroughly clean your workspace before beginning with isopropyl alcohol or a similar sterilizing solution.
Once the workspace is cleaned and prepared, gather all the supplies you’ll need for the growing process. You’ll need high-quality lion’s mane spawn, which serves as the foundation for mushroom growth, as well as suitable heat-resistant polypropylene bags to create the ideal environment for your mushrooms. Additionally, a pressure cooker, autoclave, or steam sterilizer is crucial for ensuring the substrate remains free of contaminants.
These supplies can be sourced from specialized mushroom cultivation suppliers, who often offer a range of products tailored to different cultivation methods and scales.
Step 2: Preparing Mushroom Substrate
A good substrate not only serves as a growing medium but also provides essential nutrients for the fungi to thrive. Substrate preparation begins with selecting the right materials. Lion’s Mane mushrooms grow best on hardwood-based substrates, such as hardwood fuel pellets (HWFP), hardwood chips, or sawdust. Preferred hardwoods include oak, beech, or maple, as these mimic the natural growing conditions of Lion’s Mane in the wild.
Once you have selected your substrate, the next step is to sterilize it to eliminate any competing organisms. This stage is where many new growers encounter problems, as contamination from bacteria or competing fungi can easily occur. A properly prepared and sterilized substrate provides the best foundation for healthy growth. There are several methods for sterilizing your substrate we recommend:
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Steam Sterilization: This involves exposing the substrate to steam for a certain period, usually in a pressure cooker or a steam sterilizer. The goal is to reach a temperature that kills potential contaminants without degrading the quality of the substrate.
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Chemical Sterilization: Using a chemical sterilant like hydrogen peroxide or lime can also be effective. This method is less commonly used but can be suitable for smaller-scale or home cultivations.
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Pasteurization: This is a milder form of sterilization where the substrate is heated to a lower temperature, which is sufficient to kill most contaminants but preserves some beneficial microorganisms.
After sterilization, allow the substrate to cool to room temperature before inoculation. To prevent contamination, handle the substrate in a clean environment. Ensuring the proper moisture content is also essential. The substrate should be moist but not overly wet, as excess moisture can promote mold growth.
Step 3: Inoculation
Inoculation is a pivotal step in growing lion’s mane mushrooms where you introduce mushroom spawn into your prepared substrate. This process lays the foundation for the growth and development of the Lion’s Mane mushrooms, making it crucial to execute with care and precision.
Maintaining a sterile environment during inoculation is critical to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms. This can be achieved by:
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Using a Laminar Flow Hood: This device provides a sterile workspace by filtering air through a HEPA filter, creating an environment with minimal risk of contamination.
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Sterilizing Tools and Work Area: Before inoculation, sterilize all tools (like scalpels, spoons, or inoculation loops) and the surface area using flame or alcohol-based disinfectants.
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Wearing Protective Gear: Use gloves, a face mask, and a clean lab coat or apron to minimize the introduction of contaminants from your body.
Before inoculation, ensure that your substrate has cooled to room temperature and has the proper moisture content to support healthy mycelial growth. A sharp knife may also be used during the inoculation process to make precise cuts, avoiding unnecessary damage to the substrate or spawn.
Begin the inoculation process by carefully opening the spawn bag or container in your sterile workspace. Using sterilized tools, evenly distribute the spawn across the substrate. As a general rule, use approximately 10% spawn to substrate by weight (e.g., 100 grams of spawn for 1 kilogram of substrate). Once the spawn is added, gently mix it into the substrate to ensure even distribution. Consistent mycelium growth throughout the substrate is key to a successful colonization phase.
After inoculation, seal the bags or containers to protect against contamination. Use zip ties, rubber bands, or a heat sealer, depending on the type of container. Label each bag with the inoculation date and mushroom type for easy identification and tracking.
Step 4: Incubation
Incubation is the phase in mushroom cultivation where the introduced mycelium grows and colonizes the substrate. This process, known as colonization, is when the mycelium spreads through the substrate, consuming nutrients and establishing a strong foundation for the later fruiting stage.
Once the substrate is inoculated with Lion’s Mane spawn, the mycelium begins to grow and expand throughout the substrate. Colonization typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but the exact duration can vary depending on several factors, including the type of substrate, temperature, moisture content, and the quality of the spawn.
To ensure efficient colonization, maintain the following conditions:
Time Frame: Colonization typically takes several weeks, but the exact duration can vary depending on factors like the type of substrate, the temperature, and the quality of the spawn. On average, you can expect it to take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Optimal Conditions: To facilitate efficient colonization, maintain a consistent temperature between 21-24°C (70-75°F). This range is optimal for Lion's Mane mycelial growth. The environment should also be dark or have very low light, as excessive light can initiate premature fruiting.
Humidity and Ventilation: While high humidity levels are crucial during the fruiting stage, during colonization, it's important to maintain moderate humidity to prevent the substrate from drying out or becoming overly wet. Minimal air exchange is needed at this stage to provide enough oxygen while keeping CO2 levels higher, which encourages mycelial growth.
The colonization of the substrate by Lion’s Mane typically takes around 14-21 days, although this timeframe can vary based on several factors. You'll know colonization is complete when the substrate is fully covered in white, fuzzy mycelium. The mycelium should look healthy and vigorous, without any signs of contamination like unusual colors or foul odors.
Step 5: Encouraging Fruiting
The fruiting phase is the culmination of your Lion's Mane mushroom cultivation efforts. This stage requires modifying the environmental conditions from those used during colonization to trigger and support the development of fruiting bodies (the actual mushrooms). Here's how you can optimize these conditions:
Adjusting Humidity: Increase the humidity level to around 90-95%. Lion's Mane mushrooms require high humidity to develop fruiting bodies properly. You can achieve this by misting the growing area regularly or using a humidity-controlled chamber.
Temperature Changes: While Lion's Mane mycelium grows well at 21-24°C (70-75°F), the fruiting bodies prefer slightly cooler temperatures, around 18-21°C (65-70°F). This slight drop in temperature signals to the mycelium that it's time to fruit.
Light Exposure: Introduce your mushrooms to more light. Unlike the colonization phase, which requires darkness, fruiting benefits from light. Natural indirect sunlight or LED grow lights for about 12 hours a day are sufficient. Light is a crucial trigger for mushroom development and helps in forming proper fruiting bodies.
Mars Hydro VG80 LED T5 Grow Light is an excellent choice, providing a full-spectrum design with low power consumption that closely mimics the natural light essential for growing Lion's Mane mushrooms. Its suitability for low DLI environments and water-resistant features make it a practical option, effectively maintaining the ideal lighting conditions in the humid environment required by your mushrooms.
Air Exchange: Increase fresh air exchange to lower carbon dioxide levels. High CO2 concentration can lead to long, spindly mushrooms. Proper ventilation or an inline fan can help maintain an adequate exchange of air.
You'll know your efforts are successful when you see small, white, icicle-like structures forming. These are the primordia, the beginning stages of Lion's Mane fruiting bodies. They will gradually develop into the distinctive, shaggy white masses that are the edible mushrooms.
How to Grow Lion's Mane Mushrooms Outdoors
Having explored the intricacies of growing lion’s mane mushrooms indoors, we now transition to the realm of outdoor cultivation if you are more interested in the long-term supply.
Growing Lion’s Mane mushrooms on logs is a method that closely mirrors their natural growing environment, offering a different set of challenges and rewards. This traditional approach not only connects us to the ancestral roots of mushroom cultivation but also allows us to utilize the natural cycles and resources of the outdoor environment. The process involves several key steps as follows:
Step 1: Selecting and Preparing Logs
The first and most crucial step in outdoor cultivation is selecting the right logs. Hardwood logs such as oak, beech, or maple are ideal for Lion’s Mane mushrooms because they provide the nutrients required for optimal growth. Logs should be freshly cut, ideally within the last 2-6 weeks, to ensure they retain adequate moisture and nutrients. Avoid logs that show signs of decay, mold, or fungal growth, as these will compete with the Lion's Mane mycelium.
Logs should be cut to manageable sizes, typically around 3-4 feet long, and have a diameter of 4-8 inches. Before inoculation, it’s a good practice to clean the logs by brushing off dirt and debris and trimming any branches to create a clean surface for inoculation.
Step 2: Inoculation
Once your logs are prepared, the next step is inoculating them with Lion’s Mane mushroom spawn. Start by drilling holes evenly spaced across the log’s surface. These holes should be approximately 1-2 inches deep and spaced around 4-6 inches apart in a diamond or staggered pattern to ensure even colonization.
Insert spawn plugs into the drilled holes. Spawn plugs are small wooden dowels infused with Lion’s Mane mycelium. Gently tap the plugs into the holes using a hammer to secure them. To protect the spawn and help retain moisture, seal the holes with melted food-grade wax, such as beeswax or cheese wax. This wax layer also acts as a barrier against contaminants and other fungi. Additionally, you can seal any cut ends of the log with wax to prevent water loss.
Step 3: Incubation
After inoculation, the logs need to be incubated to allow the mycelium to grow and colonize the wood. Place the inoculated logs in a shaded and moist location, such as under trees, in a covered garden area, or even partially buried in soil to simulate the natural growing conditions of Lion’s Mane mushrooms.
Moisture is key during incubation. If natural rainfall is insufficient, water the logs periodically, especially during dry spells, to keep the wood from drying out. Be cautious not to overwater, as excessive moisture can lead to mold or other issues. It’s important to maintain an environment with moderate humidity and protection from extreme temperatures to support healthy mycelial growth.
Colonization can take anywhere from 6 months to over a year, depending on the wood type, environmental conditions, and spawn quality. During this period, patience is crucial as the mycelium slowly establishes itself throughout the log.
Step 4: Encouraging Fruiting
Fruiting for Lion’s Mane mushrooms on logs is largely dependent on natural conditions and can take up to a year or more to begin. The process requires ongoing care and monitoring to ensure the logs are kept moist and protected from extreme weather. During colder months or periods of dormancy, the logs can be insulated with straw, burlap, or leaves to prevent freezing.
When the conditions are right, you’ll begin to see small, white, spongy formations on the surface of the logs. These are the first signs of fruiting. Over time, these will develop into the distinctive shaggy, white fruiting bodies of Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Harvest the mushrooms when they are fully formed and firm but before they begin to discolor or deteriorate.
Outdoor cultivation may require more patience than indoor methods, but it offers the benefit of producing mushrooms over multiple years, often with minimal additional effort once the logs are fully colonized.
Lion's Mane Harvesting and Storage
The final and most rewarding stage in cultivating Lion’s Mane mushrooms is the harvesting and storage phase. This stage is crucial as it determines not only the quality and flavor of your mushrooms but also their shelf life and nutritional value.
Fresh lion's mane mushrooms are highly prized for their culinary appeal, and timely harvesting is essential for optimal taste. Understanding the optimal time to harvest lion’s mane mushrooms and the best methods for storing them, whether fresh lion’s mane or dried lion’s mane, is essential.
When to Harvest Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting Lion’s Mane mushrooms. The best time to harvest is when the fruiting bodies are fully formed and their spines (or teeth) are clearly visible but still short and white. This stage ensures that the mushroom is at its peak in terms of flavor, texture, and nutrients. If left too long, the mushroom’s spines will lengthen and may turn yellow or brown, which can lead to a bitter taste and diminished quality.
Additionally, the mushroom should feel firm and slightly spongy to the touch. Overripe Lion’s Mane can become soft or mushy, signaling that it is past its prime. Regularly observing the growth of your mushrooms will help you recognize the ideal time for harvesting.
How to Store Lion's Mane Mushroom
Proper storage of Lion's Mane mushrooms is essential to maintain their freshness and medicinal properties.
Fresh Lion's Mane mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Place them in a paper bag or wrap them in paper towels to absorb excess moisture and allow for some air circulation. Avoid washing the mushrooms before storing, as added moisture can hasten spoilage. Instead, brush off any dirt gently.
For longer storage, Lion's Mane mushrooms can be dried. Slice the mushrooms thinly and place them in a food dehydrator or an oven set at a low temperature. They can also be air-dried in a well-ventilated area.
Once fully dried, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Dried Lion's Mane can last for several months and can be rehydrated for use in cooking or ground into powder for use in teas or supplements.
Drying mushrooms not only extends their shelf life but can also concentrate their flavors and nutrients, making them a versatile addition to various recipes.
Bonus: How to Use Lion's Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen and a powerful natural supplement for supporting brain health, immune function, and overall well-being.
Culinary Uses
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are prized for their seafood-like flavor, often compared to crab or lobster, and their meaty, fibrous texture. They can be prepared in a variety of ways:
- Sautéed: Slice the mushrooms into thick pieces and sauté them in butter or oil with garlic and herbs for a simple and delicious dish.
- In Soups and Stews: Add Lion’s Mane to soups, stews, or broths to enhance the dish’s flavor and add a chewy, meat-like texture.
- As a Meat Substitute: Use Lion’s Mane in vegetarian or vegan recipes as a replacement for meat in dishes like stir-fries, tacos, or burgers.
- Roasted or Grilled: Roast or grill the mushrooms to concentrate their flavors and achieve a crispy texture.
- Battered and Fried: Coat in batter or breadcrumbs and fry them to create crispy Lion’s Mane fritters.
Medicinal Uses
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are widely recognized for their health benefits, particularly for supporting brain function, nerve regeneration, and immune health. They can be consumed in various forms to take advantage of their medicinal properties:
- Fresh or Dried: Add fresh or dried Lion’s Mane mushrooms to your meals for their nutritional and medicinal benefits.
- Powdered Form: Use powdered Lion’s Mane mushrooms in smoothies, teas, or recipes. This form is especially convenient for incorporating into your daily routine.
- Supplements and Extracts: Take Lion’s Mane capsules, tinctures, or liquid extracts to benefit from concentrated doses of its bioactive compounds, such as hericenones and erinacines.
- Herbal Teas: Brew dried Lion’s Mane mushrooms in hot water to create a calming tea that supports cognitive health and overall wellness.
Final Thoughts
Growing Lion's Mane mushrooms presents a unique blend of gardening and personal wellness. This endeavor not only offers the satisfaction of growing your gourmet mushrooms but also provides an opportunity to enjoy their potential health benefits.
Whether choosing the controlled environment of indoor cultivation or embracing the natural rhythm of outdoor growth, the journey of nurturing these distinctive fungi is as rewarding as it is therapeutic. The process demands patience and attention to detail, but the result - a bountiful harvest of Lion's Mane mushrooms - is a gratifying and enriching experience.
