The Best Mushrooms for Beginners: Easy Varieties to Grow at Home
- Merit Mushrooms
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Growing mushrooms at home has never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a fun and sustainable hobby that offers delicious produce and a satisfying connection with nature. Whether you're a foodie, a green-fingered beginner or simply looking for a unique and eco-conscious gift idea, mushroom growing kits are a fantastic place to start.
Merit Mushrooms help people take their first step into the world of fungi. We grow all of our gourmet mushrooms in London using natural, chemical-free methods. In this guide, we’ll explore the best mushrooms for beginners, explain why these varieties are especially suitable for home growers, and show you how easy it is to get started with one of our trusted grow kits.
Why Grow Mushrooms at Home?
There are many reasons why people are turning to home mushroom cultivation. First and foremost, it’s incredibly accessible. With a good kit, you don’t need a garden, greenhouse or prior experience. Mushrooms can be grown on a windowsill, in a kitchen, or even in a hallway.
From an environmental perspective, mushrooms are one of the most sustainable foods you can grow. They require very little space, grow on recycled organic material, and have a low carbon footprint. Nutritionally, they’re rich in protein, fibre, B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals.
It’s also a lot of fun. Watching mushrooms grow is surprisingly rewarding and can be a daily source of joy. That’s why grow kits also make excellent gifts: they’re interactive, educational, and suitable for adults and children alike.
What Makes a Mushroom Variety Beginner-Friendly?
Not all mushrooms are equally suited to first-time growers. Some are slow to fruit or require strict humidity control and sterile conditions. Beginner-friendly mushrooms, on the other hand, share a few key qualities.
They tend to have a fast fruiting time, often between 7 and 14 days. They are also forgiving of minor mistakes, thriving even when temperatures or humidity aren’t perfect. These varieties typically grow well in the home environment and don’t require complicated tools or setups. Most importantly, they produce visible and delicious results quickly, helping new growers build confidence.
We’ve designed our grow kits to make mushroom cultivation as straightforward and rewarding as possible. Each kit contains a fresh, inoculated block of mushroom mycelium that’s ready to fruit, no messy substrate prep or sterilisation needed. Just make sure you keep misting from the start, all the way to harvest and beyond to keep your mushrooms happy and healthy.
The Best Mushrooms for Beginners
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are easily one of the best choices for new growers. They’re fast-growing, versatile in the kitchen, and wonderfully colourful depending on the variety. We offer several types of Oyster mushroom kits including Blue, Pink, Black Pearl, Yellow and Summer varieties.
Blue oyster mushrooms are the most classic variety. They grow quickly in a wide range of temperatures and produce generous yields. Their flavour is delicate, slightly sweet, and perfect for stir-fries, pastas, or simply sautéing in garlic and butter.
Pink oysters are especially popular with beginners. Not only are they one of the fastest fruiting varieties, often ready in under 10 days, but they’re also visually striking with their vibrant colour. The pink fades slightly when cooked, but the flavour remains rich and umami-forward.
Yellow oysters are lemon-hued and slightly more delicate in texture. They grow quickly and look beautiful on the kitchen counter or windowsill.
We recommend starting with our Pink Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit, which is one of the fastest and easiest growing kits for beginners.
You’ll also find our other kits on the links below:
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane is a unique and fascinating mushroom to grow at home. It looks like a fluffy white pom-pom and produces cascading spines that resemble a lion’s mane, hence the name. It’s not just a novelty: Lion’s Mane is also known for its potential health benefits, including support for brain function and nerve regeneration.
It’s surprisingly easy to grow indoors, especially in cooler rooms. Lion’s Mane does require as much fresh air as possible though, so it's best suited to well-ventilated spaces. It fruits well between 16°C and 21°C and doesn’t need intense light.
The flavour is mild, sweet, and often compared to crab or lobster. It’s fantastic when torn into chunks and pan-fried until golden. You can also use it in vegan crab cakes, broths, or even sautéed as a meat alternative.
If you’re looking for something that’s visually impressive, a little different, and packed with flavour, our Lion’s Mane Mushroom Grow Kit is an excellent choice.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are a staple of Asian cuisine, known for their bold, umami-rich flavour. While they require a little more patience, they’re still beginner-friendly when grown using a high-quality kit.
Shiitake takes up to three weeks to fruit, making it the slowest of the varieties on this list. However, it rewards you with large, umbrella-shaped caps and a deep, savoury taste that’s perfect in stir-fries, broths, stews, and dumplings.
They grow best in cool, humid conditions and should be misted regularly to encourage fruiting. Once established, they tend to produce multiple flushes over several weeks.
Our Shiitake Mushroom Fruiting Blocks are perfect for more adventurous beginners or foodies looking to grow something with gourmet appeal. These Ready-to-Fruit blocks are designed to be placed in a fruiting room with the right conditions, as outlined in the product description. They don’t come with a step-by-step guide like the growing kits, but you will receive a growing guide via email after you have completed your order.
How Mushrooms Grow: A Simple Overview
Understanding the mushroom life cycle can help beginners grow more confidently. Mushrooms start as spores, which germinate into a thread-like network known as mycelium. This is the root-like structure that colonises the growing medium (often a block of sawdust or straw).
Once the mycelium has fully colonised its substrate, it enters the fruiting stage. With the right balance of humidity, temperature, light and air quality (more oxygen = better yields), mushrooms will begin to emerge. You’ll usually see small pinheads appear within a few days, followed by rapid growth.
All of our kits are delivered with fully colonised blocks, so you skip the initial growing stage and go straight to fruiting and harvesting.
Choosing the Right Mushroom for You
When deciding which mushroom variety to grow, think about what matters most to you or the person you’re buying for. If speed is important, Pink and Blue Oyster mushrooms are great options. For someone who enjoys unusual culinary experiences or is into health and wellness, Lion’s Mane is an inspired choice, while Shiitake is ideal for bold flavours and Asian-inspired dishes.
Tips for Successful First-Time Growing
To give your mushrooms the best start, keep their environment humid by misting them two to three times daily with clean water. Place the kit somewhere with indirect light and moderate airflow, such as a kitchen counter or a hallway shelf. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which can dry out the block. Most importantly, make sure to follow the included instructions.
Patience is key. Some mushrooms fruit quickly, while others take a little longer. You might also find your growing kit is taking longer than the estimated cycle duration - this can be due to a variety of environmental factors and should not cause alarm. Once your mushrooms reach maturity, harvest them by twisting or gently cutting at the base. Most kits will give at least two flushes, especially if you continue misting.
We urge customers to get in touch if they have any questions or need help.
Why Mushroom Grow Kits Make Excellent Gifts
Mushroom kits are thoughtful and engaging presents. They’re ideal for curious children, food lovers, home gardeners, or anyone interested in sustainability. All of our kits are conveniently packaged in gift-friendly boxes. They require no gardening experience, no soil, and no extra tools, just water and attention.
Start Growing Mushrooms at Home Today
Whether you’re looking to grow mushrooms for flavour, fun, or as a unique gift, choosing a beginner-friendly variety is the key to success. At Merit Mushrooms, our kits are handmade, chemical-free, and designed for complete beginners.
Visit our shop to explore the full range and find your perfect match. From the fast-growing Pink Oyster to the brain-boosting Lion’s Mane, there’s a mushroom kit for every taste and every home.
Get growing and discover the joy of fresh, home-grown mushrooms delivered right to your door.
Best Mushrooms For Beginners: Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the kits last before using them?
All our mushroom kits must be opened within 5 days after the date of dispatch, otherwise the result isn't guaranteed.
Can I grow mushrooms indoors year-round?
Yes. Our kits are designed for indoor growing and work in all seasons. Cooler months are particularly good for varieties like Lion’s Mane.
Do I need soil or compost?
No. The substrate block inside the kit contains everything the mushrooms need. Just follow the instructions and keep it moist.
Can I get more than one harvest from a kit?
Yes. The first harvest is guaranteed provided the kit is opened within the use-by date and the instructions are followed. With proper care, many of our kits can produce at least two or three flushes.
Are the kits safe for children and pets?
Absolutely. They’re completely non-toxic and food-safe. Always supervise young children, and keep the kit out of reach of curious pets.
Do I need special equipment?
No special tools are needed. Just a spray bottle, a clean work surface, and some patience. We’ll even give you the spray bottle free of charge - just tick the option when selecting your growing kit.
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