If the idea of growing your own mushrooms is new to you, it may come as a surprise to find out that you can cultivate more than just your standard button mushrooms. There are actually a huge range of fungi that you can cultivate – around 200 different species!

But if you’re a beginner, which ones should you start with? In this guide, we’ve listed the five best mushroom species to grow, so keep reading to start cultivating!

Just a heads up before we get into it! Each mushroom strain detailed below is available as a liquid mycelium culture, which can be added to a growing medium (like substrate) to begin the growing process. 

image of branched oyster mushrooms growing on fruiting block

Pleurotus cornocopiae

Branched Oyster

At the top of our list, is the Branched Oyster (Pleuroteus cornocopiae) mushroom. This is a UK native oyster mushroom species that typically forms a large stem with multiple mushroom caps that ‘branch’ from it. This species of fungi readily fruits and provides decent yields that can keep up with its commercial counterparts.

Branched oyster
image of coral tooth mushroom growing on a mushroom fruiting block

Hericium coralloides

Coral Tooth

Next up, is the Coral Tooth (Hericium coralloides) mushroom. Much like its closely related cousin, Lions mane – Coral Tooth has a meaty, lobster-like texture and has been known to provide cognitive benefits. It’s a little slower to start fruiting than oyster varieties, but when it does, you can expect large yields. This fungi resembles the shape of coral, thanks to the small, tooth-like spines it forms.

Coral Tooth
image of tarragon oyster mushrooms growing on a fruiting block

Pleurotus eunosmus

Tarragon Oyster

If you fancy having a crack at growing a somewhat more unusual oyster variety, give the Tarragon Oyster (Pleurotus eunosmus) mushroom a go. Tarragon Oyster mushrooms are quick to fruit and provide impressive yields. They form large, curved mushroom caps that feature the subtle herby aroma of tarragon – making the perfect meat substitute in a variety of recipes!

Tarragon Oyster
close up image of velvet shank mushrooms growing on a tree

Flammulina sp.

Velvet Shank/Enoki

Now here’s an unusual one, the Velvet Shank/Enoki (Flammulina sp.) mushroom. These mushrooms require a little more attention than the previously mentioned strains, but the extra work is certainly worth it! Velvet Shank/Enoki provides clusters of small, leggy mushrooms with slimy caps. They have a somewhat sweet flavour and can be added to a variety of Asian dishes!

Velvet Shank/Enoki
image of reishi mushroom growing in the wild

Ganoderma lucidum

Reishi

Last but not least, is the Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushroom. This fungus has been known for its medicinal benefits for thousands of years and it can be used in teas and tinctures. It grows long woody stems with a shiny finish and can take months to reach full maturity. But don’t let that put you off. This mushroom looks great in the house and can even be used as home decor when dried!

Reishi

Summary

So, we don’t have mush room (couldn’t help ourselves) for more fungi in this guide, so we’ll finish things off here. But if you want to keep learning about mushrooms, check out the rest of our ‘how to’ guides. Or, if you need a little help with your grow, you can always contact us – we’re more than happy to help!

Contact Us