How to grow mushroom at home is very easy if you follow the right steps and maintain cleanliness. You don’t need a big farm or expensive setup—mushrooms can be grown indoors using simple materials like grow bags, straw, and a dark, humid place. Home-grown mushrooms are fresh, chemical-free, and healthy, and anyone can grow them with little daily care.
I have personally grown mushrooms at home multiple times, and from my experience, mushrooms are one of the fastest-growing and low-maintenance crops. Even if you live in a flat or small house, you can successfully grow mushrooms in one corner of a room. In this post, I am sharing my real experience, simple methods, and mistakes to avoid so beginners can grow mushrooms easily at home.
What Is Mushroom and Why Grow It at Home?
Mushroom is a fungus, not a plant. It doesn’t need sunlight like other plants. Mushrooms grow well in dark, humid, and cool conditions, which makes them perfect for indoor growing.
Benefits of growing mushroom at home
- Fresh and chemical-free food
- Grows in small space
- Ready to harvest in 20–30 days
- Very low water requirement
- High in protein, fiber, and vitamins
- Can be grown all year round
Best Mushroom Types for Home Growing
From my experience, beginners should always start with easy mushroom varieties.
Best mushrooms for beginners:
- Oyster Mushroom (Best for first time)
- Button Mushroom
- Milky Mushroom (Good for Indian climate)
I personally recommend Oyster Mushroom because it grows fast and needs less temperature control.
Things You Need to Grow Mushroom at Home
You don’t need expensive tools. Most things are easily available.
Basic materials:
- Mushroom spawn (seed)
- Straw or sawdust
- Plastic grow bags
- Water spray bottle
- Clean room or corner
- Knife or scissors
Important: Always buy fresh and good quality spawn. Bad spawn is the biggest reason for failure.
How to Grow Mushroom at Home – Step by Step (My Experience)
Step 1: Prepare the Straw
- Take clean wheat or paddy straw
- Cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- Soak in water for 8–10 hours
- Boil straw for 15–20 minutes
- Dry excess water (straw should be moist, not dripping)
This step removes germs and gives better results.
Step 2: Prepare the Grow Bag
- Take a clean plastic bag
- Make small holes for air
- Add one layer of straw
- Sprinkle mushroom spawn
- Repeat layers (straw + spawn)
- Finish with straw layer
Tie the bag tightly.
Step 3: Keep the Bag in Dark Place
- Keep bags in a dark, warm, and humid area
- Ideal temperature: 20–30°C
- Do NOT expose to direct sunlight
- Spray water lightly once or twice daily
From my experience, bathroom corners, store rooms, or under stairs work very well.
Step 4: Mycelium Growth (White Layer)
- After 7–10 days, white cotton-like layer appears
- This is called mycelium
- Do not disturb bags during this time
If you see green or black spots, remove that bag immediately.
Step 5: Mushroom Formation
- Small mushroom pins appear after 15–20 days
- Increase humidity slightly
- Keep spraying water around, not directly on mushrooms
Within a few days, mushrooms grow fast.
How to Harvest Mushrooms Properly
- Harvest when mushrooms are medium size
- Hold the base and twist gently
- Do not cut too deep
- Clean area after harvesting
One bag can give 2–3 harvests.
Watering Tips (Very Important)
- Always use spray bottle
- Do not pour water directly
- Keep surroundings moist
- Overwatering can cause fungus problems
From my experience, less water is better than more water.
Light Requirement for Mushroom
- Mushrooms do not need sunlight
- Soft indirect light is enough
- Dark room is best
Never keep grow bags in hot sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
- Best temperature: 20–30°C
- Humidity: 70–85%
- In summer, spray water more
- In winter, keep bags covered lightly
Indian climate is mostly suitable for mushroom growing.
Common Problems and My Solutions
1. Green fungus
- Reason: Dirty straw or overwatering
- Solution: Clean materials, proper boiling
2. No mushroom growth
- Reason: Old spawn or low humidity
- Solution: Buy fresh spawn, spray water
3. Bad smell
- Reason: Rotten straw
- Solution: Remove bag immediately
I faced these problems in the beginning, but once you maintain cleanliness, results improve a lot.
Can You Grow Mushroom Without Grow Bag?
Yes, but grow bags give better yield and control. For beginners, bags are easiest.
How Much Mushroom Can You Get?
- 1 grow bag = 1.5–2 kg mushrooms
- Harvest cycle: 25–40 days
- Very cost-effective method
Is Mushroom Growing Profitable at Home?
Yes, even at home level:
- Low investment
- High demand
- Can sell locally or use for self-consumption
Many people start as a hobby and later convert it into a business.
My Final Experience and Tips
From my personal experience, mushroom growing is:
- Easy
- Fast
- Perfect for beginners
- Suitable for small homes
If you maintain cleanliness, humidity, and patience, success rate is very high.
Conclusion
How to grow mushroom at home is simple if you follow proper steps and basic hygiene. With minimum space and effort, you can enjoy fresh, healthy mushrooms throughout the year. Based on my experience, mushroom farming is one of the best indoor gardening options for beginners and urban homes.
If you are looking for an easy, low-cost, and rewarding home gardening activity, growing mushrooms at home is a perfect choice.
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