When I first heard about Pink Oyster mushrooms, I was drawn in by their bright, almost neon-pink color. I thought, “Why not add some color to my kitchen garden?”
Plus, they’re fast-growing and relatively easy for beginners.
If you’re new to mushroom growing, or just want a visually stunning (and delicious) variety to add to your repertoire, Pink Oyster mushrooms are a great choice.
Let me walk you through how I grew mine and what you need to get started.
Why Grow Pink Oyster Mushrooms?
Let’s be honest—half the reason I chose to grow Pink Oyster mushrooms was because they just look cool. They grow in bright clusters, and seeing them turn that vibrant pink is really satisfying.
But beyond their appearance, Pink Oysters are also delicious and versatile in the kitchen. They have a mild, slightly seafood-like flavor that goes great in stir-fries, soups, and even sautéed with garlic and butter.
Plus, they’re known for their quick growth. Unlike some slower varieties, Pink Oysters can be ready to harvest in just a few weeks, which is great if, like me, you get impatient waiting for your food to grow.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before diving into the growing process, let’s go over the basics of what you’ll need. I found it helpful to have everything prepped and ready to go before starting, so I wasn’t scrambling mid-process. Here’s the checklist:
- Substrate: Straw, coffee grounds, or hardwood sawdust. I used straw because it’s cheap and works well for Pink Oysters.
- Pink Oyster mushroom spawn: Easily available from most mushroom suppliers.
- A container or bucket: You can use a grow bag, but I went with a simple 5-gallon bucket with holes drilled in the sides for airflow.
- Spray bottle: To mist your growing area.
- Thermometer and hygrometer: To monitor temperature and humidity levels in the grow area.
- Optional: A humidifier to maintain consistent moisture.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Pink Oyster Mushrooms
Step 1: Preparing the Substrate
Pink Oyster mushrooms are pretty flexible with substrates, but I went with straw because it’s readily available and affordable.
You can also use coffee grounds if you want to be extra eco-friendly (and have a lot of coffee drinkers around).
Another easy way to grow this as a beginner can be to use a Mushroom grow kit.
I chopped the straw into small pieces (about 2-3 inches) and pasteurized it by soaking it in hot water (160°F to 180°F) for about an hour.
This step is key to killing off any bacteria or mold that might try to compete with your mushrooms. After that, I drained the straw and let it cool completely before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Inoculating the Substrate with Spawn
Once the straw cooled down, it was time to mix in the Pink Oyster spawn.
This part is easy—just layer the straw and mushroom spawn in your bucket or grow bag like you’re making a lasagna. A little straw, a little spawn, more straw, more spawn. You get the idea.
I used sterile gloves during this process to avoid contamination, which can ruin the whole grow.
Once everything was layered, I closed up the bucket and placed it in a warm, dark place to incubate.
Step 3: Incubation and Colonization
Now comes the waiting game.
I kept the bucket in a dark spot at around 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), which is ideal for Pink Oyster colonization.
Over the next 1-2 weeks, I checked on it periodically to make sure the temperature was stable and there were no signs of contamination.
Within a week, I started seeing white mycelium spreading throughout the straw, which is always exciting.
It’s a good sign that the mushrooms are getting ready to fruit.
During this stage, it’s important to keep the bucket closed to avoid introducing contaminants.
Step 4: Fruiting Stage
After about two weeks, once the straw was fully colonized with fluffy white mycelium, it was time to move the bucket to a more open area with indirect light.
Pink Oyster mushrooms fruit fast, so I cut slits in the sides of the bucket to give them space to grow out.
I kept the humidity high by misting the bucket daily with a spray bottle, and a humidifier in the grow room helped maintain moisture.
In just a few days, the first mushroom pins (tiny baby mushrooms) started popping out of the holes.
Within another 5-7 days, they had grown into full clusters of bright pink mushrooms.
It was honestly one of the coolest things I’d ever grown—way more colorful than anything I’ve seen in a garden.
Step 5: Harvesting
Pink Oysters grow quickly, so you have to keep an eye on them.
I harvested mine when the edges of the caps started to flatten but before they got too wavy.
You can harvest them by gently twisting the mushrooms off at the base, being careful not to damage the rest of the substrate so it can keep producing more flushes.
The total grow time from inoculation to harvest was just about 3 weeks, which is incredibly fast compared to some other mushroom varieties.
Plus, you can get multiple flushes from the same bucket if you keep the humidity levels up and maintain the substrate.
Best Practices for Growing Pink Oyster Mushrooms
- Humidity is Key: During the fruiting stage, Pink Oyster mushrooms need high humidity to grow well. I kept the humidity around 85-90%, which I monitored with a hygrometer. A humidifier made a huge difference in keeping everything consistent.
- Temperature Control: Keep the temperature between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Pink Oysters like warmth and tend to grow faster in these conditions.
- Airflow: These mushrooms need good airflow during the fruiting stage to prevent them from getting soggy or developing mold. I cut slits in my bucket to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate.
- Quick Harvest: Don’t let them sit too long! Pink Oyster mushrooms grow fast and can go from perfect to overripe in just a day or two. Harvest them when the edges of the caps start to flatten but aren’t completely wavy.
Health Benefits of Pink Oyster Mushrooms
Aside from looking pretty and tasting great, Pink Oyster mushrooms also come with some health benefits. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins like B and D. They’ve also been studied for their potential to lower cholesterol and support heart health.
One study even found that oyster mushrooms contain compounds that can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and promote good heart function.
While they’re not as widely known for medicinal benefits as Lion’s Mane or Reishi, Pink Oysters still offer plenty of reasons to include them in your diet. Plus, they’re rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your body from oxidative stress.
My Personal Experience Growing Pink Oyster Mushrooms
When I started growing Pink Oysters, I was mostly in it for the visual appeal—I mean, who wouldn’t want bright pink mushrooms growing in their house?
But after my first flush, I was hooked. Not only are they quick to grow, but they’re also really fun to cook with.
I threw them into stir-fries, sautéed them with garlic, and even grilled them for a smoky flavor.
One thing I didn’t expect was just how fast they grow. I checked on them one morning and thought, “These need another day,” and by the next afternoon, they were practically begging to be harvested. So, if you’re growing Pink Oysters, make sure to keep an eye on them—they’re sneaky like that.
Overall, Pink Oyster mushrooms are one of my favorite varieties to grow at home.
They’re fast, colorful, and delicious, making them a great addition to any kitchen garden.