Michael Davis
Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are the most commercially cultivated mushrooms globally and are a perfect entry point for mushroom-growing enthusiasts. They are small white fungi that can be cultivated indoors with minimal space and can yield multiple harvests from a single setup. They are also the same species as cremini and portobello mushrooms, differentiated primarily by maturity and genetic strain. To grow button mushrooms, you'll need the right equipment, a temperature control system, humidity monitoring tools, proper ventilation equipment, a lighting setup, sterilization tools, and a pH testing kit. You can also purchase a mushroom kit that normally comes with all the materials you need, including manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle for watering the mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Button mushroom |
| Scientific name | Agaricus bisporus |
| Difficulty level | Beginner-friendly |
| Cultivation methods | Requires a casing layer, nutrient-rich growing medium, and specific temperature, humidity, light, and ventilation conditions |
| Equipment | Temperature control system, humidity monitoring tools, ventilation equipment, lighting setup, sterilization tools, pH testing kit |
| Growing medium | Complex substrate, preferably with a lot of nitrogen |
| Substrate examples | Dirt, hay, sawdust, yard waste, corn cobs |
| Spawn source | Purchase from experienced cultivators or reputable suppliers with strains for home cultivation |
| Growth cycle | Begins with spores that develop into mycelium, then pins, and finally mature fruiting bodies |
| Harvesting | Harvest when caps are firm and closed; twist and pull or cut at the base |
| Yield | Approximately 5-7 lbs per square foot over three flushes, with a total of 3-4 flushes per substrate |
| Benefits | Economical, sustainable, year-round growing, nutritious, rewarding hobby |
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What You'll Learn
Getting started: kits for beginners
If you're new to mushroom cultivation, starting with a button mushroom growing kit is a great way to get started without the complexity of starting from scratch. These kits are straightforward and rewarding, and come with everything you need to begin your journey into the fascinating world of fungi.
Mushroom kits normally contain all the materials you need for planting and growing mushrooms, including manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle for watering. They are designed for ease of use and a high success rate, so you can focus on the basics of mushroom care, such as maintaining the right temperature, humidity, and light conditions.
Before you begin, it's helpful to gather some essential supplies, such as a dedicated growing space with temperature control. Button mushrooms require precise environmental control throughout each growth phase, so having the right tools will significantly increase your success rate. During the spawn run, maintain temperatures between 24-26°C with relative humidity at 85-90% and minimal air exchange. The CO₂ concentration should remain elevated (5,000-20,000 ppm), and no light is required.
To create an indoor bed for your mushrooms, fill a wooden box that’s at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep with nitrogen-rich manure, such as horse manure. Leave a few inches (8-9 cm) of space below the rim of the box. Then, spread the inoculated material from your kit on top of the soil and mist it thoroughly. Keep your bed in the dark, damp, and warm—around 70°F (21°C)—for the next few weeks.
After a few weeks, you should notice a fine white webbing on the surface of the bed. This is called mycelium, the start of your mushroom colony. Cover your mycelium with a couple of inches (5 cm) of damp potting soil or peat, known as casing. Then, lower the bed's temperature to 55°F (12°C) and maintain moisture. In about a month, you should start to see mushrooms.
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The growth cycle: from spores to mushrooms
The growth cycle of button mushrooms begins with spores, which are often purchased ready-made and pre-inoculated or mixed with a substrate like dirt, hay, or sawdust. These spores are then spread on a compost mixture, preferably one with a lot of nitrogen, such as a blend of compost and manure. This mixture will need to be damp and kept in a well-ventilated area.
After spreading the spores, you'll need to be patient. Within 7 to 14 days, you should notice small white dots (pins) forming. These pins will develop into harvestable button mushrooms over the next week. You'll know they're ready to harvest when the caps are firm and closed, and this typically occurs about 1-2 weeks after the mycelium starts sprouting mushrooms.
Before the pins form, you'll need to cultivate mycelium, which will take about 3-4 weeks. This involves the spores germinating into a thread-like network, which then forms primordia (pins) that develop into the mature fruiting bodies of the mushrooms.
Once the mushrooms are ready for harvest, you can continue to harvest for up to 6 months as long as the conditions are right. Proper harvesting techniques, such as gently twisting and pulling the entire mushroom from the substrate, will ensure maximum yield and quality.
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The growing environment: temperature, humidity, and more
Growing button mushrooms is an accessible project for beginner gardeners, as their spores grow quickly and easily. They can be grown indoors, which means you can plant them at any time of the year.
Button mushrooms require a very specific growing environment. Firstly, they prefer a temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) during fruiting. A drop in temperature to 50°F (10°C) for 12 hours can even help to trigger more uniform fruiting. You will need a temperature control system to monitor this.
Humidity is also very important. Mushrooms require 80-90% humidity, so you will need a hygrometer to monitor this. Proper ventilation equipment is also essential to prevent CO₂ buildup and contaminants.
Freshly sprouted button mushrooms are very sensitive to their environment. They require indirect, diffused lighting, and a slightly alkaline environment (pH 7-7.5). You can use a pH testing kit to monitor this.
Finally, button mushrooms require a nutrient-rich growing medium. They grow in fertile and damp soil, which is why they were first cultivated in fields with horse manure. You can make a growing mixture by combining equal parts compost and manure, such as horse or cow manure. Mushrooms also like a lot of nitrogen in their growing environment.
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Harvesting: when and how to harvest
Harvesting button mushrooms at the right time is key to a successful crop. You should harvest when the caps reach 2.5 to 5 cm in diameter, and they should be closed and not stretched. The first crop should appear about three weeks after casing, and you can continue to harvest for up to six months. The first harvest period will typically extend over 3-5 days, with subsequent harvests producing lower yields.
To harvest, gently twist each mushroom with a light twisting motion, being careful not to disturb the casing soil. You can also squeeze each mushroom gently below the surface of the substrate while pulling up. Place the harvested mushrooms in a paper bag and store them in a dark, dry place at 1-2°C with 85-90% relative humidity. Avoid using plastic bags, as these promote condensation and accelerate deterioration. Properly stored button mushrooms will maintain their quality for 7-10 days post-harvest.
After harvesting, remove any uncolonized substrate material and mist the bag with water to keep it moist until your next harvest. You can reuse the bag for up to four harvests over two months by adding more sterilized substrate.
Button mushrooms are highly perishable, so it's important to handle them carefully. Harvested mushrooms are cut at the soil line and washed in a solution of 5g KMS in 10L of water to remove soil particles and induce whiteness. After removing excess water, they are packed in perforated poly bags containing around 250-500g of mushrooms.
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Common issues: ventilation, cleanliness, and diseases
Ventilation is critical when cultivating button mushrooms. They require adequate ventilation during cropping to prevent CO₂ buildup and contaminants. Poor ventilation can also lead to undersized mushrooms, which may indicate excessive CO₂ levels. To address this, ensure your growing area has proper ventilation equipment and maintain relative humidity above 85%.
Cleanliness is another crucial aspect of successful button mushroom cultivation. Contamination from inadequate sanitation is one of the most common issues faced by beginners. To prevent contamination, maintain a clean growing environment, and practice good personal hygiene when entering the grow room.
Additionally, temperature management is essential. Button mushrooms require a temperature of 60-65°F (15-18°C) during fruiting. Temperature fluctuations can result in cap deformities, so it is important to stabilize the temperature and provide consistent indirect lighting.
While wild Agaricus bisporus strains exist, commercial cultivation strains have been selectively bred for indoor growing conditions and typically have better resistance to common diseases. However, the incidence of pests and pathogens can still affect the yield of button mushrooms. Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures and maintain a sterile growing environment through proper sterilization tools and techniques.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to start is by purchasing a mushroom growing kit, which comes with everything you need to get started, including a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn.
If you're cultivating button mushrooms indoors, you'll need a temperature control system, humidity monitoring tools, proper ventilation equipment, a lighting setup, sterilisation tools, and a pH testing kit.
Button mushrooms follow a predictable growth cycle. First, microscopic spores germinate into thread-like mycelium. This mycelial network eventually forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies.
To ensure maximum yield and quality, you should harvest button mushrooms when the caps are firm and closed, before the veil breaks. Gently twist and pull the entire mushroom from the substrate, or use a sharp knife to cut it at the base if twisting causes damage.
