One of the first questions I had when I started growing mushrooms was,
“How long do mushrooms take to grow?”
Whether you’re growing them at home or curious about how long they take to sprout in the wild, the growth time of mushrooms depends on several factors.
From my own experience, I’ve learned that patience is key, but the reward of watching them grow—and eventually harvesting them—is totally worth the wait.
Factors That Affect Mushroom Growth Time
Before we dive into specific timelines, it’s important to understand that the time it takes for mushrooms to grow varies depending on several key factors. These include:
- Type of mushroom: Different species grow at different rates. Oyster mushrooms, for example, grow faster than shiitake mushrooms.
- Growing conditions: Mushrooms need the right combination of humidity, temperature, and light to thrive. Ideal conditions can significantly speed up growth.
- Substrate: The growing medium, or substrate, you use can also impact how quickly mushrooms develop. Some mushrooms prefer straw or sawdust, while others grow well on logs or compost.
How Long Do Common Mushrooms Take to Grow?
Here’s a breakdown of how long it typically takes for popular mushroom varieties to grow, based on my own experience and research:
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are one of the fastest-growing varieties.
When I grew oyster mushrooms at home, they began fruiting in as little as 7-10 days after the substrate was fully colonized.
They are a great option for beginners because of their quick growth and relatively easy cultivation process.
- Colonization time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting time: 7-10 days after colonization
- Total grow time: 3-4 weeks
Grow time with Mushroom grow kit: - Colonization Time: 1-2 weeks
- Fruiting Time: 5-7 days after colonization
- Total Grow Time: 2-3 weeks
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms take a bit longer to grow, especially if you’re growing them on logs.
When I tried growing them on hardwood logs, it took about 6-12 months for the first flush to appear, but growing them on sawdust blocks speeds things up.
- Colonization time (logs): 6-12 months
- Colonization time (sawdust blocks): 8-12 weeks
- Fruiting time: 7-10 days after colonization
Grow time with Grow kit: - Colonization Time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting Time: 1-2 weeks after colonization
- Total Grow Time: 3-5 weeks
3. Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms, the type you most commonly see in grocery stores, typically take about 3-4 weeks to grow. They’re often grown on composted manure, and with the right conditions, you’ll have multiple harvests.
- Colonization time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting time: 1-2 weeks after colonization
- Total grow time: 3-4 weeks
Grow time with Grow kit for mushroom: - Colonization Time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting Time: 1-2 weeks after colonization
- Total Grow Time: 3-4 weeks
4. Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are another favorite of mine to grow. They take a little longer to fruit than oysters but are still relatively quick.
- Colonization time: 3-4 weeks
- Fruiting time: 10-14 days after colonization
- Total grow time: 4-6 weeks
Grow kit for Lion`s Mane - Colonization Time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting Time: 1-2 weeks after colonization
- Total Grow Time: 4-5 weeks
Mushroom Growth Stages
Mushrooms go through several stages of growth, each of which takes time to complete. Here’s an overview of the main stages:
Spore germination and mycelium growth: After inoculating the substrate with spores or spawn, the first step is mycelium growth. Mycelium is the root-like structure that spreads throughout the substrate, absorbing nutrients and creating the foundation for mushroom growth. This stage can take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks, depending on the type of mushroom.
Colonization: Once the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate, it’s time for fruiting. During this stage, the mycelium will turn into mushroom “pins,” which are the tiny initial forms of mushrooms.
Fruiting: This is the final and most exciting stage, where the mushrooms actually grow and mature. Fruiting usually happens quickly—within 7-14 days, you can go from tiny pins to fully grown mushrooms ready for harvest.
Time to Grow with Magic Mushroom Grow kits:
- Colonization Time: 2-3 weeks
- Fruiting Time: 1-2 weeks after colonization
- Total Grow Time: 4-6 weeks
Tips for Faster Mushroom Growth
If you’re looking to speed up the mushroom-growing process, here are a few tips that have helped me:
- Maintain optimal conditions: Keep the environment humid (around 85-95%), ensure proper airflow, and maintain a steady temperature suitable for the specific mushroom variety.
- Choose faster-growing varieties: If you’re in a hurry, choose faster-growing mushrooms like oyster or button mushrooms.
- Use high-quality spawn: High-quality, fresh spawn can colonize the substrate faster, leading to quicker growth.
- Avoid contamination: Contamination can slow down or even halt mushroom growth. Always sterilize your tools and substrate to avoid bacteria or mold growth.
Patience Pays Off
One thing I’ve learned from growing mushrooms is that patience is key.
While some varieties like oysters can give you results within a few weeks, others like shiitake may take months to fruit.
The good news is that once you’ve harvested your first flush of mushrooms, many types will continue to produce more flushes for several weeks or even months.
My Final Thoughts
How long do the mushrooms take to grow?
The only right answer here is that it depends!
Everything from just a few weeks, till many months, depending on the spices of mushroom that grows. And the environment it grows in.
Some, like oyster mushrooms, can grow in just a few weeks, while others like shiitake mushrooms might take months.
Either way, the process is rewarding and totally worth the wait.
Have you ever tried growing mushrooms?
If not, it’s a fun project to take on, and before you know it, you’ll be harvesting your very own mushrooms.