LION’S MANE
COUNTERTOP KIT
INSTRUCTIONS
Growing Your Lion's Mane
Find an area with indirect sunlight and gentle, indirect airflow. Lion's Mane prefers a bit more humidity than most varieties, so kitchens and bathrooms tend to work well. Avoid placing your block near direct heat sources or air conditioning vents.
Place the grow block in the green tray with the folded side down. Do not remove the block from the bag.
Take a sharp, clean knife and cut a 1½-inch X right in the center of the bag. You want the blade to just barely cut into the block — about ¼ inch deep.
Gently lift the flaps created by the X and spray underneath — 1 to 2 sprays on each side. Mist the inside of the humidity dome so that it's completely covered in condensation. Place the dome over the green tray and block. Make sure all 4 vent holes on top are completely open.
Important: From this point forward, never spray the Lion's Mane mushrooms directly. Only mist the inside of the humidity dome. Direct water on Lion's Mane can cause browning and damage the delicate tissue.
Continue to mist the inside of the humidity dome 2 to 3 times daily. You want to keep a layer of condensation on the inside of the dome at all times. Remember — only spray the dome, never the mushrooms directly.
Your Lion's Mane should begin growing (pinning) within 12 to 20 days. You'll see small white bumps or a fuzzy white mass emerging from the X.
Once your Lion's Mane begins to grow, rotate the humidity dome 90 degrees so it sits perpendicular to the green tray. This gives the mushroom the fresh air exchange (FAE) it needs while still maintaining humidity. Do NOT remove the dome entirely. Continue misting the dome 2 to 3 times daily.
As your Lion's Mane continues to grow, you'll see it develop its signature cascading spines. Keep the dome rotated and continue misting the dome (not the mushroom) 2 to 3 times daily. If you notice the spines are yellowing or browning, you may be misting too aggressively — make sure water droplets aren't landing directly on the mushroom.
Store your fresh Lion's Mane in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Always wash and cook your mushrooms before eating.
You can often grow a second (and even a third) harvest from the same spot as your initial harvest. After harvesting, begin again from Step 5 — mist the dome, keep it rotated, and wait for new growth. You can also try flipping the block over and cutting a new X on the opposite side to start fresh.
Lion's Mane is ready for harvest once the spines have elongated to about ¼ inch. The mushroom should look like a white, shaggy pom-pom. Don't wait too long — once the spines start to yellow or brown at the tips, you've passed the ideal window.
Gently twist the mushroom from the base to remove it from the block. It is recommended to harvest your mushrooms before they start dropping spores. Letting mushrooms grow to the sporulating stage indoors can create a mess and an allergen situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when Lion's Mane is ready to harvest?
Lion's Mane is ready for harvest once the spines elongate to approximately ¼ inch. The mushroom should look like a white, shaggy pom-pom. Don't wait until the spines start to yellow or brown at the tips — that means you've passed the ideal window.
How do I harvest Lion's Mane?
Gently twist your mushrooms from the base to harvest. All mushrooms should be washed and cooked before consumption.
Can I spray Lion's Mane mushrooms directly?
Never spray Lion's Mane directly — only mist the humidity dome. Direct water on Lion's Mane can cause browning and damage the delicate tissue.
What do I do with the dome once pinning begins?
Once pinning begins, rotate the dome 90 degrees so it sits perpendicular to the green tray. This gives the mushroom fresh air exchange while still maintaining humidity. Do not remove the dome entirely.
My Lion's Mane spines are yellowing or browning. What's wrong?
Reduce misting intensity and check that water isn't landing directly on the mushroom. Only the inside of the dome should be misted — never spray the mushroom itself.
What temperature does Lion's Mane prefer?
Lion's Mane prefers slightly cooler temperatures (60–75°F) and higher humidity than oyster varieties. Avoid placing your block near direct heat or air conditioning.
Where can I learn more?
Check out our Strain Catalog page for variety-specific information. You can also read our blog post on what to do with your block after it's done fruiting, or visit our FAQ page for even more information.
Keep Growing
Loved your Lion's Mane? We grow kits for a bunch of different varieties — Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Chestnut, Shiitake, and more. Each one grows a little differently and tastes completely unique.
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