I was surprised when I first learned you could actually grow fresh mushrooms at home using mushrooms from the grocery store.
With a few simple supplies and some patience, I gave it a try and ended up with a successful batch of homegrown mushrooms.
If you’re looking for an easy and budget-friendly way to keep mushrooms on hand, let me share my step-by-step guide to growing mushrooms from store-bought ones.
Why Grow Mushrooms from Store Bought Mushrooms?
The first time I tried this method, I was looking for a convenient and inexpensive way to grow mushrooms without having to buy spore kits or go through a complicated process.
Using store-bought mushrooms allows you to skip the more technical parts of mushroom growing, like working with spores, and instead jump straight into growing them from what you already have.
Plus, growing mushrooms at home means you always have fresh mushrooms for cooking, and it’s a sustainable way to keep the process going.
Once you’ve mastered it, you can keep regrowing mushrooms indefinitely!
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before starting, here’s a list of the basics I used to grow mushrooms from store-bought ones:
- Fresh store-bought mushrooms (oyster or button mushrooms work well)
- Growing substrate (straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds)
- A container or grow bag (to hold the substrate)
- A spray bottle (for keeping the substrate moist)
- A knife or scissors (for cutting the mushroom pieces)
- Sterile gloves (to avoid contamination)
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Mushrooms from Store Bought Mushrooms
Step 1: Choosing the Right Mushrooms
The first step is picking the right mushrooms from the store.
I found that oyster mushrooms worked great because they’re easy to grow, but button mushrooms are also a solid choice. Make sure the mushrooms you select are fresh and firm, without any signs of decay.
If you can find organic mushrooms, even better—they haven’t been treated with chemicals that might affect their ability to regrow.
Step 2: Cutting the Mushroom Pieces
Once you have your mushrooms, the next step is to prepare them for propagation.
I cut the mushroom stems into small pieces, around 1-2 inches long.
The mycelium (which is the part responsible for mushroom growth) is located in the stem, so this is the part we want to focus on.
Be sure to wear sterile gloves when handling the mushrooms to prevent contamination—mushrooms are sensitive to bacteria and mold.
Step 3: Preparing the Substrate
Now it’s time to prepare the substrate, which is the material the mushrooms will grow in.
I used straw as my growing medium, but sawdust or coffee grounds work well too.
If you’re using straw or sawdust, it’s important to pasteurize it by heating it to around 160°F (70°C) for about an hour to kill off any bacteria or mold.
Once the substrate cooled down, I spread it out in a container, ready for the next step.
Step 4: Inserting the Mushroom Pieces into the Substrate
With the substrate ready, I buried the small mushroom stem pieces into it, making sure they were well covered but not packed too tightly.
I placed the substrate and mushroom pieces into a container with small air holes to allow airflow, which helps the mushrooms grow.
Step 5: Creating the Right Environment
Mushrooms love a humid and dark environment, so I placed the container in a cool, shaded spot.
I misted the substrate regularly with a spray bottle to keep it moist, but I was careful not to overwater it.
You want the substrate to stay damp, but not soggy.
Within about a week or two, I started to see white patches of mycelium forming, which meant the mushrooms were starting to grow!
Step 6: Watching for Mushroom Growth
After a few weeks of maintaining the right conditions, small mushroom pins began to appear.
They grew fast, and it was exciting to see my own mushrooms coming to life.
Keeping the environment consistently humid was key to their growth, so I checked on the setup daily to make sure everything stayed on track.
Step 7: Harvesting Your Mushrooms
When the mushrooms were fully grown, I harvested them by gently twisting them off at the base.
One thing I learned was to be careful not to damage the mycelium, since it can often produce more mushrooms after the first harvest.
It felt so rewarding to harvest fresh mushrooms that had started as simple store-bought ones!
Common Challenges and Solutions
One of the main challenges I faced was keeping the humidity levels high without overwatering.
Mushrooms need a humid environment to grow, but too much water can cause them to rot.
I solved this by misting the substrate lightly every day and making sure the container had good airflow.
Another issue was preventing contamination.
Using clean tools and sterile gloves helped me avoid introducing bacteria or mold into the process, which is a big factor in successful mushroom growth.
My Final Thoughts
Growing mushrooms from store-bought mushrooms was a surprisingly easy and fun project.
Not only did it save me money, but it also gave me a fresh supply of mushrooms whenever I needed them.
If you’re someone who loves cooking with mushrooms or just wants to try something new, I highly recommend giving this method a try.
It’s satisfying, simple, and a great way to make the most out of what you already have.
Have you ever thought about growing mushrooms at home? If not, this is a perfect place to start!