Turkey Tail mushroom might sound like something you’d find on the dinner table at Thanksgiving, but they’re actually incredible medicinal mushrooms that you can grow at home.
When I first heard about their immune-boosting benefits, I knew I had to try growing them myself.
Plus, the colorful fan-like shapes they produce are just plain fun to watch grow—like nature’s own art project.
I’ll walk you through how to grow Turkey Tail mushrooms at home, so you can enjoy all the benefits (and impress your friends with your mushroom-growing skills).
Why Grow Turkey Tail Mushroom?
Before I started growing Turkey Tail, I had no idea how powerful they could be.
These mushrooms are packed with antioxidants, and some studies suggest they can even help boost your immune system.
There’s even research showing that compounds in Turkey Tail may have potential cancer-fighting properties. That’s right, these little fungi are serious overachievers.
Not only are they good for your health, but they’re also beautiful. The mushrooms grow in multicolored, fan-shaped layers that look like—you guessed it—turkey tails.
Every time I saw them in the wild, I thought, “Wow, these would look great in my backyard… and maybe in my tea.”
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Growing Turkey Tail mushrooms at home isn’t complicated, but you do need a few essentials. Here’s what I gathered before getting started:
- Substrate: Hardwood sawdust or logs. I went with sawdust since it’s easier to manage indoors.
- Turkey Tail spawn: You can get this from any reliable mushroom supplier.
- Grow bag or logs: If you’re growing indoors, go with the bag; outdoors, logs are your best bet.
- Spray bottle: To keep everything misted and happy.
- Humidifier (optional but helpful): Mushrooms are like houseplants, but they prefer a more tropical vacation climate.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Step 1: Preparing the Substrate
Turkey Tail mushrooms love hardwood, so I used hardwood sawdust for my first attempt.
If you’re growing outdoors, logs from hardwood trees like oak or maple are ideal, but indoors, sawdust is your go-to.
I made sure to sterilize my substrate (because let’s face it, no one wants uninvited bacteria crashing the mushroom party).
I used a pressure cooker for this step, which felt a bit like cooking, except I wasn’t about to eat what came out.
After sterilizing, let it cool down before moving on.
Step 2: Inoculating the Substrate
Now comes the fun part—introducing the spawn.
I put on my sterile gloves (safety first!) and mixed the Turkey Tail spawn into the cooled sawdust.
Think of this as planting the mushroom seeds, except instead of seeds, it’s tiny mushroom pieces, and instead of dirt, it’s, well, sawdust.
After mixing it all together, I sealed the grow bag and set it in a warm, dark spot.
The incubation period is a bit like waiting for bread to rise, except it takes longer and you don’t end up with a sandwich at the end.
Colonization takes about 4-6 weeks, so patience is key here.
Step 3: Incubation and Colonization
During the incubation period, I kept the grow bag in a cozy 21°C (70°F) space, away from direct light.
Over the next few weeks, I started seeing white mycelium spreading throughout the substrate. It’s like watching nature work its magic—slowly, but surely.
If you’re growing outdoors on logs, this part will take longer—sometimes several months—so I recommend having another hobby in the meantime, like knitting or finally getting through that list of unread books.
Step 4: Fruiting
Once the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate, it’s time for the mushrooms to start fruiting.
This is where the real magic happens.
I moved the grow bag into indirect light and kept the humidity up by misting it regularly.
You can also use a humidifier if you’re growing indoors, which helps to maintain the 85-90% humidity that Turkey Tail mushrooms love.
Within a couple of weeks, I started seeing the first pins (tiny mushroom sprouts) forming. Watching these little guys grow is oddly satisfying—like being a proud plant parent, but for fungi.
Step 5: Harvesting
Turkey Tail mushrooms are ready to harvest when they have fully developed their beautiful, multi-colored fan shapes.
They don’t get particularly big, but they do spread out in layers, which is how they got their name.
I harvested mine by gently twisting them off at the base.
These mushrooms don’t taste amazing on their own (trust me, I tried), but they’re perfect for teas, tinctures, or adding to soups for a health boost.
They’re also packed with polysaccharides, which research suggests may support immune function, making them a great addition to your wellness routine.
Best Practices for Growing Turkey Tail Mushrooms
- Humidity is Key: Turkey Tail mushrooms need high humidity, especially during the fruiting stage. I found that misting twice a day worked well for keeping the moisture levels right.
- Temperature Control: Keep your growing environment between 16°C and 21°C (60°F to 70°F). Too hot, and the mushrooms will dry out; too cold, and they’ll just sulk and refuse to grow.
- Patience: Turkey Tail mushrooms are slow growers, but the wait is worth it. Colonization takes about 4-6 weeks indoors, and even longer if you’re growing outdoors on logs.
Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Now, let’s get to the good stuff—why grow these in the first place?
Turkey Tail mushrooms are renowned for their medicinal properties. They’re loaded with antioxidants and polysaccharopeptides, which have been studied for their potential immune-boosting effects.
In fact, a study published in The Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that these compounds may help improve immune responses, particularly in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
There’s also research suggesting that Turkey Tail may help balance gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
I love the idea that growing these mushrooms could not only be fun but also support my health in ways that go beyond just eating them.
My Personal Experience Growing Turkey Tail Mushrooms
When I first decided to grow Turkey Tail mushrooms, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
I had grown a few other types of mushrooms before, but these were new to me. Honestly, they took a bit more patience than I was used to—especially since they’re slower growers than, say, oyster mushrooms.
But the first time I saw those colorful, fan-shaped mushrooms popping out of the substrate, I was hooked.
One challenge I ran into was keeping the humidity high enough. At first, I wasn’t misting regularly, and the mushrooms started to dry out.
Once I added a humidifier to the grow room and upped my misting game, they bounced back.
Lesson learned: fungi love moisture.
Also, unlike other mushrooms, you won’t need a huge yield to start enjoying the benefits.
I use my Turkey Tail mushrooms mainly for teas and tinctures, and even a small amount goes a long way.
Plus, they look pretty cool on the shelf while they’re drying out.