Species Guide
Choose a species to learn about its growing requirements and timeline. Start with beginner-friendly varieties before advancing.
Beginner Friendly
beginnergourmet
Pearl/Grey Oyster
Pleurotus ostreatus
The most forgiving mushroom for beginners. Fast colonization, tolerates temperature swings, and produces abundant flushe...
beginnergourmet
Pink Oyster
Pleurotus djamor
Stunning pink color and fast growth. Loves warm temperatures. Best eaten fresh as color fades when cooked....
beginnergourmet
Yellow Oyster
Pleurotus citrinopileatus
Beautiful golden clusters with a nutty, cashew-like flavor. Slightly more delicate than grey oysters....
beginnergourmet
Chestnut Mushroom
Pholiota adiposa
Underrated gourmet with nutty flavor and satisfying crunch. Similar cultivation to oysters but with unique taste....
beginnerfunctional
Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor
Hardy medicinal mushroom with immune-boosting properties. Grows on almost anything. Used for tea and extracts....
Intermediate
intermediategourmet
Shiitake
Lentinula edodes
Classic umami-rich mushroom. Longer colonization but worth the wait. Can fruit multiple times over months....
intermediategourmet
King Trumpet
Pleurotus eryngii
Thick, meaty stems with a mild flavor. Excellent meat substitute. Needs lower CO2 than other oysters....
intermediateboth
Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus
Brain-boosting functional mushroom with unique appearance. Needs high FAE and NO direct misting....
intermediategourmet
Yanagi Matsutake
Agrocybe aegerita
Also called Black Poplar or Pioppino. Prized in Italian cuisine. Long stems and small caps with earthy flavor....
intermediatefunctional
Sessile Lingzhi (Reishi)
Ganoderma sessile
Mushroom of immortality in traditional medicine. Forms beautiful antler or conk shapes. Dried for tea or tinctures....
intermediategourmet
Straw Mushroom
Volvariella volvacea
Popular in Asian cuisine. Grows on rice straw in warm, humid conditions. Best eaten fresh - does not store well....
intermediategourmet
Milky Mushroom
Calocybe indica
Popular in India for hot climate cultivation. Pure white appearance. Good protein content and mild flavor....
Advanced
advancedgourmet
Maitake
Grifola frondosa
Hen of the Woods - prized culinary and medicinal mushroom. Challenging but rewarding. Long cultivation time....
advancedfunctional
Wu Ling Shen
Sarcodon aspratus
Rare medicinal mushroom from East Asia. Challenging to cultivate. Valued for immune and cognitive support....
advancedfunctional
Tiger Milk Mushroom
Lignosus rhinocerus
Traditional Malaysian medicine. Forms underground sclerotia. Valued for respiratory and immune health....
advancedfunctional
Scarlet Caterpillar Fungus
Cordyceps militaris
Orange medicinal mushroom grown on grain. Contains cordycepin. Requires sterile technique and patience....