How to Grow Magic Mushrooms [All You Need to Know]

Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are surprisingly easy to grow. All you need is some basic equipment, a substrate, some spores, and a little patience (don’t worry, we’ll explain all that stuff here shortly).

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know about how to grow magic mushrooms at home. Before you know it, you’ll have a bountiful harvest.

Try 100% LEGAL Amanita Gummies!

Want to experience the ‘magic’ of the Amanita muscaria mushroom? Iconic U.S. brand VidaCap has just launched a new range of 500mg Amanita gummies that soothe the mind and harmonize both body and spirit. Try them today and get 25% OFF all orders with WayofLeaf’s exclusive coupon code: AMANITAWOL

Apply 25% Coupon

How to Grow Psilocybin Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms are fungi containing the psychoactive compound psilocybin. This chemical acts on serotonin receptors in the brain to produce psychedelic effects, commonly known as a trip.

Humans have used psilocybin mushrooms for thousands of years, and experts regard them as having a good safety profile. However, the Controlled Substances Act classifies them as Schedule 1 Substances, meaning they are illegal in most places.

In progressive states, the situation is slowly changing as researchers learn more about the therapeutic potential of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, Oregon has legalized psychedelic mushrooms with certain caveats. Though shrooms have been decriminalized in several US cities, finding quality sources remains challenging. Therefore, more and more people wonder how to grow mushrooms at home.

Growing Magic Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms grow naturally in many different regions of the world. If you live in the right place, you may be lucky enough to find some by foraging in the wild. However, for those without experience, it is easy to misidentify mushrooms – a potentially lethal mistake.

The best way to stay safe is to buy spores from a reputable source (see the link to FungusHead above) and grow magic mushrooms at home – as long as it’s legal to do so in your area. Due to the current legal status of the active compound in many areas worldwide, however, it is next to impossible to buy or possess psilocybin mushrooms in their mature form. It is, however, possible to purchase spores from magic mushroom species, as these do not contain the active compound psilocybin.

That said, please understand that growing shrooms at home is illegal in many areas. Even though you can easily buy magic mushroom spores online, it is up to you to know the laws in your area and whether or not it’s legal to germinate the spores into living fungal cultures. This guide is strictly for informational purposes only – those who choose to grow mushrooms at home do so entirely at their own discretion.

Where Do Magic Mushrooms Grow?

If you’re wondering, “where do shrooms grow?” the answer (unless you live in a polar or subarctic region) is probably “closer than you think.”

Psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms grow everywhere in the wild, and certain species, such as Psilocybe semilanceata, are widespread across North America and Europe. Another species, Psilocybe cubensis, is prolific in tropical climates. By most accounts, this species is one of the easiest types of mushrooms to grow at home.

If you plan on searching for mushrooms in the wild, your best bet may be to try densely forested areas close to water (including standing water from recent rainfall). Mushrooms only require two basic ingredients to grow in the wild: moisture and nutrients from decaying organic material.

This is why magic mushrooms are common in wet, densely forested areas (where they feed on decaying logs). However, some species can grow in open fields and grasslands, particularly in livestock pastures, due to the high nutrient content of the soil.

Before you even think about harvesting mushrooms in the wild, you must be 100% sure you can positively identify them. Several species look similar to magic mushrooms but are toxic if consumed. These species can cause adverse reactions ranging from mild sickness to death. Learning mushroom identification skills is essential, and if you are unsure whether a mushroom is safe, leave it alone!

How to Grow Magic Mushrooms at Home

Growing magic mushrooms at home is relatively simple, but it does require patience and keen attention to hygiene. You will also need a few pieces of equipment, although most are easy to find.

The most challenging aspect of the process is, of course, getting hold of a spore syringe. It is essential to purchase this piece of kit from a reputable supplier. If you buy from a sketchy online source, you could end up with contaminated spores, misidentified strains, or in some cases, just water.

What Do You Need to Grow Mushrooms?

One of the easiest ways to cultivate mushrooms is to use a mushroom grow kit. These usually include a spore syringe, a substrate, and a grow bag – theoretically, everything you need to complete the growing process. Some kits even have the mycelium (the main body of the fungus) ready to go. All you do is add water.

The problem with growing mushrooms from a kit is that you never know what you’ll get. Most kits are cheap and poor quality, and the standard of the spores is questionable at best. Your best bet is using FungusHead spores and simple, DIY growing supplies. Starting from scratch is a little more effort, but trust us – it will produce far more consistent results than most online mushroom grow kits. It also reduces the risk of contamination and provides a fantastic learning experience.

Homemade Magic Mushroom Grow Kits with Spores

If you decide to take the DIY route rather than purchasing a magic mushroom growing kit with spores, you only need a few basic items.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 cc spore syringe

For the substrate:

• ⅔ cup vermiculite per jar + extra
• ¼ cup drinking water per jar
• ¼ cup organic brown rice flour per jar

Equipment:

• 12 shoulderless ½ pint jars with lids
• Hammer and small nail
• Mixing bowl
• Strainer
• Heavy-duty tin foil
• Large pot with a tight-fitting lid
• Small towel
• Micropore tape
• 50–115L clear plastic storage box
• Drill with a ¼-inch bit
• Perlite
• Spray bottle

Hygiene essentials:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Torch lighter
• Disinfectant
• Air sanitizer
• Latex gloves, surgical mask, still-air box (optional)

Process

1. Prepare the jars:

• Disinfect the hammer and nail and use them to punch four evenly-spaced holes around the lid’s circumference.

2. Prepare the substrate:

• Mix ⅔ cup vermiculite and ¼ cup water per jar in a mixing bowl.
• Disinfect the strainer and remove the excess water.
• Add ¼ cup brown rice flour per jar and combine.

3. Fill the jars:

• Loosely pack the substrate into the jars to around half-inch below the rims.
• Sterilize the exposed glass with rubbing alcohol, then top off with dry vermiculite.

4. Steam to sterilize:

• Screw the jar lids on tightly and cover them securely with foil.
• Ensure that no water or condensation can enter the jar through the holes.
• Place the towel in the base of the pan and arrange the jars on top.
• Add water around halfway up the jars and bring to a slow boil.
• Steam for 75–90 minutes, adding more hot water if the pan boils dry.
• Keep the jars upright throughout.
• Allow to cool to room temperature for several hours or overnight.

5. Prepare the spore syringe:

• Use the lighter to heat the syringe’s needle until red hot.
• Allow to cool and wipe with rubbing alcohol, taking care not to touch it.
• Pull back the plunger slightly and shake well.
• Reduce the risk of contamination by wearing latex gloves and a surgical mask, especially if the syringe requires assembly.

6. Inject spores:

• Remove the foil from a jar and insert the syringe as far as possible through one of the holes.
• With the needle against the jar’s side, inject around ¼ cc of the spore solution.
• Repeat for each of the holes, cleaning the needle with alcohol between each one.
• Cover the holes with micropore tape.
• Repeat for remaining jars.

7. Play the waiting game:

• Place the jars in a clean area where they won’t be disturbed.
• Keep at room temperature (70–80 degrees Fahrenheit) and out of direct sunlight.
• After 7–14 days, white mycelium should start to appear.
• After 3–4 weeks, at least half of the jars should have successful colonies or “cakes.” At this stage, wait an additional seven days to strengthen the mycelium.
• If any jars show signs of contamination, dispose of them carefully. Do this outdoors using secure bags without removing the lids.

8. Prepare the fruiting chamber:

• Drill ¼-inch holes approximately two inches apart all over the plastic storage container, including its base and lid.
• Place the box on four stable objects to allow airflow underneath.
• Cover with a towel to retain moisture.

9. Add perlite:

• Put the perlite in a strainer and soak it with water by running it under the cold tap.
• Allow to drain thoroughly, then spread over the base of the chamber.
• Repeat the process until you have a 4–5-inch layer of perlite covering the base.

10. Rehydrate the cakes:

• Remove the substrate cakes from the jars, taking care not to damage them.
• Rinse the cakes under the cold tap to remove loose vermiculite.
• Fill your cooking pot with lukewarm water and put the cakes inside.
• Use another pot or a plate to keep them under the water’s surface.
• Leave at room temperature for 24 hours while the cakes rehydrate.

11. Roll the cakes:

• Remove the cakes from the water and put them on a disinfected surface.
• Fill the mixing bowl with dry vermiculite and roll the cakes to coat.

12. Transfer:

• Place the cakes in the fruiting chamber, set upon foil squares big enough to stop them from touching the perlite.
• Space them evenly and mist them with the spray bottle.
• Fan with the lid before closing.

13. Wait for fruiting to begin:

• Mist the chamber four times a day, but do not soak the cakes in water.
• Fan with the lid six times a day to improve air circulation.
• Some growers use lights set on a 12-hour cycle, but ambient lighting during the day is sufficient.
• Wait for mushrooms to appear.

WAYOFLEAF’S CHOICE – FungusHead

Want to buy the best psilocybin mushroom spores online? Then choose Fungushead! They offer a wide selection of strains, including Golden Teacher, B+ Cubensis, and Penis Envy. FungusHead ships to 47 states and accepts Crypto, Zelle, Cashapp, and Venmo payments. So, don’t miss out; get your favorite strain today!

Visit Official Site

How Long Does It Take to Grow Magic Mushrooms?

So, the last (and potentially most important) question is – how long do shrooms take to grow? Unfortunately, this is not a straightforward question to answer, as growing times can vary according to the species of mushroom you’re using, the environmental conditions of the grow, and so forth. As a rule of thumb, however, expect about 1-2 months before you’ve got mature mushroom fruiting bodies.

Also, keep a close eye on your mycelium cakes – you will see them appearing as white bumps, which then sprout into “pins.” The mushrooms should be ready to harvest 5–12 days after this. It is best to pick them before the veil breaks, revealing the gills.

Hopefully, this guide on “how long does it take to grow mushrooms indoors” has been helpful. Remember, however, it is the responsibility of the reader to know and understand all rules and regulations regarding the cultivation of mushrooms and psilocybin legality in their specific state or region.