How to Grow Mushrooms Indoors: Easy Beginner Tips for Delicious Homegrown Mushrooms
The Secret Garden Under Your Feet: Growing Mushrooms Indoors for Beginners
Have you ever found a random mushroom in your garden and wondered, “Where did THAT come from?” You’ve chanced upon one of nature’s most underrated kingdoms: fungi. They’re not plants, they’re not animals, not bacteria and yet they play a huge role in keeping our gardens (and the planet) running smoothly.
We have been enjoying fungal benefits for thousands of years. Yeast gives us bread and beer (arguably two of civilization’s greatest achievements). Moulds gifted us antibiotics like penicillin. And of course, edible mushrooms bring flavour and nutrition to our plates. Not all fungi are friendly, some ruin food, harm crops, or cause disease but with millions of species out there, we’re still just scratching the surface of their diversity.
The mushroom is merely the "fruit" of the fungus; the true organism is the mycelium, a massive, hidden network of threads that works to break down organic matter in the soil or wood. One of fungi’s superpowers is decomposition. While we humans struggle to deal with garden waste and leftover dinner, fungi happily munch their way through tough stuff like wood and leaves. Without them, fallen trees would pile up like an abandoned lumber store, and nutrients would stay trapped instead of returning to the soil. Thanks to their incredible enzymes, forests stay healthy, and industries get inspiration for things like detergents and biofuels.
Why Grow Mushrooms Indoors?
There is something calming and beneficial about growing your own food, even in the depths of winter. Mushrooms are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein, B vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, and essential minerals like selenium and potassium, while being low in fat and calories. As well as being a tasty choice, mushrooms grow fast (instant gratification gardening!), don’t need sunlight, and take up very little space
And the best part? Many edible varieties, like oyster, shiitake, and button mushrooms, are available in beginner-friendly kits. You can grow fresh, delicious, and sometimes rarer varieties (like yellow oyster mushrooms) that aren't readily available in supermarkets.
How to Get Started: Indoor Mushroom Growing Tips
1. Start With a Kit
Think of this as “mushrooms on easy mode.” Kits come with mycelium already growing in a substrate, so all you do is:
- open the bag or box
- mist it daily
- wait for mushrooms to appear
It’s gardening magic without the guesswork.
2. Control the growing process
Cultivating your own mushrooms allows you to control the entire process from start to finish, ensuring they are free from unwanted pesticides or additives. Mycelium is particular about its environment. No need for a sterile laboratory, basic hygiene helps:
- wash hands before handling
- use clean tools
- keep the growing area tidy
3. Maintain Moisture
Mushrooms LOVE humidity.
Aim for:
- moist (not soggy) substrate
- daily misting
- good airflow
A clear plastic box with ventilation holes or a plastic bag setup to provide a humidity tent works well.
4. Temperature Matters
Most beginner varieties thrive at typical indoor temps of 15–24°C
If you’re comfortable, they probably are too.
5. Give Them a Little Light
No bright grow lights needed, just indirect light so the mushrooms know which direction to grow. A nearby window is perfect.
Why It’s Worth It
Growing mushrooms at home isn’t just about harvesting dinner (though that’s a huge perk). It gives you a peek into the hidden world beneath the ground in our forests and gardens. It provides an opportunity to learn about mycology (the study of fungi) and the vital role these organisms play in nature, such as soil regeneration and decomposition.
Plus, the moment you see your first mushroom pop out, you’ll feel like you’ve unlocked a secret level of gardening.
Low effort, high reward especially when using easy-to-use grow kits, it can be a simple, low-maintenance process that yields an abundant harvest in a short period (sometimes in just a few weeks).
Give it a try, it could become a fun and satisfying new hobby or family activity.