One of the first questions of someone who wants to start growing mushrooms is, “What can I grow in my region?” Or “I’m living in this climate what can I grow?” Today I will give you a list of 26 delicious mushrooms you can grow almost everywhere.
For each mushroom species, I not only listed the basic growing conditions but also some countries where they are already cultivated. I also added a short introduction to the climate classification system at the end of this article.
With that said let’s dive into it.
Lentinula edodes
Figure 1: Lentinula edodes[1]
Description[2]
Lentinula edodes is better known by its name, shiitake. Shiitake can be found wild only in places as China, Japan, and Korea, there its treasured and traditional delicacy at dinner tables.
Shiitake has a great flavor, taste, and an enticing aroma. They are also well-known for their medicinal benefits in strengthening the immune system.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa), Canada (Dfa, Dfc, Dsb, ET), USA (BSk, BWh, Csb, Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), China (BWk, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc, Dwa, Dwb), Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), Vietnam (Aw, Am, Cwa), Argentina (BWh, BWk, BSh, BSk, Cfa, Cwa), Brazil (Aw, Am, Af, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Kenya (Aw, BSh, BWh)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C/16-21°C | 16-18°C/21-27°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
| > 10,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-7/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| 50-100lx | 500-2,000lx | 500-2,000lx |
Source
Paul Stamets 1996
If you want to learn more about how you can cultivation shiitake, then I recommend my article about Shiitake Log Cultivation to you. In it, I will give you an overview of all the steps you need to grow shiitake.
Pleurotus ostreatus
Figure 2: Pleurotus ostreatus[3]
Description
Pleurotus ostreatus also known as Oyster mushroom was first cultivated in Germany during World War I[4]. The mushroom itself has no strong taste and can, therefore, added to many dishes.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa), Canada (Dfa, Dfc, Dsb, ET), USA (BSk, BWh, Csb, Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), China (BWk, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc, Dwa, Dwb), Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), Vietnam (Aw, Am, Cwa), Brazil (Aw, Am, Af, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb), Cuba (Aw), Ghana (Aw, Am), Bangladesh (Aw, Am, Cwa), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Indonesia (Af), Pakistan (BWh, BSk, Cwa), Nigeria (Aw, Am, BSh)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24°C | 10-15,6°C | 18-24°C |
| 85-94%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 80-85%r.F. |
| 5,000-20,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 1,000-1,500lx | 1,000-1,500lx |
Source
Paul Stamets 1996
Agaricus bisporus
Figure 3: Agaricus bisporus[5]
Description
Agaricus bisporus, also known as button mushroom, is one of the main cultivated mushrooms worldwide.
The taste is aromatic and nutty.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa), USA (BSk, BWh, Csb, Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), ), China (BWk, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc, Dwa, Dwb), India (Aw, BSh, Cwa), Vietnam (Aw, Am, Cwa), Brazil (Aw, Am, Af, BSh, Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Indonesia (Af), Malaysia (Af), Nigeria (Aw, Am, BSh)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 22-25°C | 16°C | 14-18°C |
| 85-90%r.F. | 85-90%r.F. | 85-90%r.F. |
Sources
Shashank Maheshwari 2013
Ferah Yilmaz 2007
Pleurotus eryngii
Figure 4: Pleurotus eryngii [6]
Description
Pleurotus eryngii also known as King Oyster, is widely cultivated because of its nutty taste.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa), Canada (Cfb, Dfa, Dfc, Dsb, ET), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), Bangladesh (Aw, Am, Cwa)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24°C | 10-15°C | 15-21°C |
| 90-95%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| 5,000-20,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | < 2,000 ppm CO2 |
| 1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-5/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000lx | 500-1,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Ganoderma lucidum
Figure 5: Ganoderma lucidum[7]
Description
Ganoderma lucidum or Reishi is a medicinial mushroom and cultivated for its health benefits.
Countries with cultivation
China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Vietnam (Aw, Am, Cwa), Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Nigeria (Aw, Am, BSh)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 18-24°C | 21-27°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| Up to 50,000ppm CO2 | 20,000-40,000 ppm CO2 | 500-2,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 0-1/hr air vent | 1-2/hr air vent |
| No light | 200-500lx @4-8h/d | 500-1,000lx @12h/d |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Flammulina velutipes
Figure 6: Flammulina velutipes[8]
Description
Flammuilna velutipes or Enoki is after Shiitake the most cultivated mushroom in Japan.
Countries with cultivation
China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-24°C | 4-10°C | 10-16°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 5,000 ppm CO2 | 2,000-4,000 ppm CO2 | 2,000-4,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 2-4/hr air vent | 2-4/hr air vent |
| No light | 20-50lx | 20-50lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Volvariella volvacea
Figure 7: Volvariella volvacea[9]
Description
(Main) ingredient in Asian cuisine.
Countries with cultivation
China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Malaysia (Af), Nigeria (Aw, Am, BSh)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C/16-21°C | 16-18°C/21-27°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
Sources
…
Pleurotus pulmonarius
Figure 8: Pleurotus pulmonarius[10]
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus.
Countries with cultivation
Canada (Cfb, Dfa, Dfc, Dsb, ET), Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 20-25°C | 10-16°C | 16-18°C |
| 80-90%r.F. | 80-90%r.F. | 80-90%r.F. |
| > 5,000 ppm CO2 | 400-800 ppm CO2 | 400-800 ppm CO2 |
| 1/hr air vent | 5-7/hr air vent | 5-7/hr air vent |
| No light | 1,000-1,500lx | 1,000-1,500lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Tariquil Islam 2016
Akinmusire O.O 2011
Pleurotus sajor-caju (Lentinus sajor-caju)
no picture
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus.
Countries with cultivation
Bangladesh (Aw, Am, Cwa), Philippines (Af, Am)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 20-30°C (23-27, 27-29°C, opt. 25°C) | 15-30°C (opt. 25°C) | 15-30°C (opt. 25°C) |
| 60-95%r.F. (78-80%r.F.) | 60-95%r.F. (78-80%r.F.) | 60-95%r.F. (78-80%r.F.) |
Sources
Pinkal Patel 2014
JM Hussein 2016
Chandra P. Pokhrel 2013
S. A. Shinde 2015
Pholiota nameko
Figure 9: Pholiota nameko[11]
Description
Pholiota nameko or short Nameko is an ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc), Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24-29°C | 10-15,6°C | 13-18°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 98-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 5,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | 800-1,200 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000lx | 500-1,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Pleurotus florida
no picture
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus.
Countries with cultivation
Bangladesh (Aw, Am, Cwa)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 20-26°C | 16-21°C | 22-27°C |
| 80-95%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 80-95%r.F. |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Denisa Stanescu 2013
Fahad Alkoaik 2015
S. R. Mondal 2010
Aristide Nshuti Niyokus 2013
Agaricus bitorquis
Figure 10: Agaricus bitorquis[12]
Description
The mushroom has a ‘mushroomy’ taste[13] and was first cultivated in 1968.
Countries with cultivation
Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 20-30°C (opt. 30°C) < 35°C | 10-16°C°C | 24°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
Sources
Amir Nawaz 2015
P. Güler 2007
Grifola frondosa
Figure 11: Grifola frondosa[14]
Description
Grifola frondosa or Maitake is a known medicinal mushroom and for that reason cultivated.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-24°C | 10-15,6C | 13-16°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95%r.F. | 75-85%r.F. |
| 20,000-40,000 ppm CO2 | 2,000-5,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 100-500lx | 100-500lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Hypsizygus marmoreus
no picture
Description
Know also as white beech mushroom and commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C | 16-18°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
Sources
…
Hypsizygus tessulatus
Figure 12: Hypsizygus tessulatus[15]
Description
Known also as Buna-Shimeji and commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-24°C | 10-15°C | 13-18°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 98-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 5,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | 2,000-4,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 2-4/hr air vent |
| No light | 400-600lx | 400-600lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Tricholoma matsutake
Figure 13: Tricholoma matsutake[16]
Description
Is a highly popular mushrooms in Japan. It has a cinnamon-like taste.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C | 16-18°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
Sources
…
Trametes Versicolor
Figure 14: Trametes Versicolor[17]
Description
It is not an edible mushroom[18] but used in Chinese medicine.
Countries with cultivation
Mexico (Aw, BSh, BSk, BWh, Cwa, Cwb), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24-29°C | 10-24°C | 18°C-24°C |
| 90-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 85-90%r.F. |
| > 5,000 ppm CO2 | 400-800 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 1/hr air vent | 5-7/hr air vent | 5-7/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-2,000lx | 500-2,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Agrocybe aegerita
Figure 15: Agrocybe aegerita[19]
Description
This mushroom is commonly known as the poplar mushroom or chestnut mushroom[20].
Countries with cultivation
Guatemala (Af, Am, Aw, Cfb), Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C | 13-29°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 20,000 ppm CO2 | < 2,000 ppm CO2 | < 2,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-6/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000lx | 500-1,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Auricularia polytricha
Figure 16: Auricularia polytricha[21]
Description
This mushroom is often used in Asian cuisine.
Countries with cultivation
China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 10-16°C | 16-18°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 60-80%r.F. |
Sources
…
Hericium erinaceus
Figure 17: Hericium erinaceus[22]
Description
Know as lion’s mane is an edible and medicinal mushroom.
Countries with cultivation
Canada (Cfb, Dfa, Dfc, Dsb, ET), China (Cfa, Cfb, Cfc)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-24°C | 10-15,6°C | 18-24°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 5,000-40,000 ppm CO2 | 500-700 ppm CO2 | 500-700 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 5-8/hr air vent | 5-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000 lx | 500-1,000 lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Coprinus comatus
Figure 18: Coprinus comatus[23]
Description
Also known as shaggy mane is a common mushroom with a mild taste[24].
Countries with cultivation
…
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 16-21°C | 18-24°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 80-90%r.F. |
| 5,000-20,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000lx @8h/d | 500-1,000lx @8h/d |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Hypholoma lateritium
Figure 19: Hypholoma lateritium[25]
Description
A popular mushroom in the USA and Japan.
Countries with cultivation
Japan (Cfa, Dfa, Dfb), USA (BSk, BWh, Csb, Cfa, Dfa, Dfb)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-24°C | 10-16°C | 10-16°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 98-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 10,000 ppm CO2 | 1,000-2,000 ppm CO2 | 1,000-5,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 1-2/hr air vent | 1-2/hr air vent |
| No light | 100-200lx | 100-200lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Pleurotus djamor
Figure 20: Pleurotus djamor[26]
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus but with a salmon-like taste.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24-30°C | 18-25°C | 20-30°C |
| 95-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 85-90%r.F. |
| 5,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 5-8/hr air vent | 5-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 750-1,500lx | 750-1,500lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets
Pleurotus citrinopileatus
no picture
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus but with a citrus taste.
Countries with cultivation
Germany (Cfb, Dfa)
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24-29°C | 21-27°C | 21-29°C |
| 90-100%r.F. | 98-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| 5,000-20,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 1-2/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 500-1,000lx | 500-1,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Pleurotus euosmus
no picture
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus.
Countries with cultivation
…
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 21-27°C | 18-24°C | 21-27°C |
| 98-100%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 90-95%r.F. |
| > 10,000 ppm CO2 | < 2,000 ppm CO2 | < 1,000 ppm CO2 |
| 0-1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent |
| No light | 750-1,500lx | 750-1,500lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Pleurotus cystidiosus
no picture
Description
Similar to his cousin Pleurotus ostreatus.
Countries with cultivation
…
Parameter for cultivation
| Spawn Run | Pinhead Formation | Fruiting |
| 24-30°C | 18-24°C | 21-27°C |
| 90-95%r.F. | 95-100%r.F. | 85-90%r.F. |
| 5,000-20,000 ppm CO2 | 500-1,000 ppm CO2 | < 2,000 ppm CO2 |
| 1/hr air vent | 4-8/hr air vent | 4–5/hr air vent |
| No light | 1,000-2,000lx | 500-1,000lx |
Sources
Paul Stamets 1996
Climate Zones
To compare different regions with each other, the German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen first introduced a now widely used climate classification. It later got updated by Rudolf Geiger and is now known as the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system.
According to this classification, there are five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns.
- A tropical
- B dry
- C temperate
- D continental
- E polar
Figure 21: New and improved Köppen-Geiger classifications[27]
The whole article about the Köppen climate classification can be found on Wikipedia (link).
Please keep in mind that the climate zones only play a role if you want to grow your mushrooms in non-controlled and uninsulated rooms (e.g., tents or sheds).
I should also mention that while I insert the climate zones for each country, it does not mean that you can grow in each climate zone. If you want to be sure if you can grow them outside you, have to go into each country and its climate zones and see how they cultivate mushrooms there.
Besides that, the list of countries is a non-exhausted list, which means it does not contain all countries in which each of the mushrooms are cultivated.
With this information at hand, it should be possible for you to pick the right mushroom species which can be grown in your region. But that is not all.
If you want to be sure that you picked the right mushroom, you should check my article What is the best mushroom strain out. In this article, I describe five aspects by which I determine if a mushroom strain is worth growing or not. At the end of this article, you will know about how you can evaluate each and every mushroom with a single number – the mushroom rating value (MVR).
If you are successfully growing mushrooms in
your region, please contact me and tell me about it. I am happy to hear from
you If you are successfully growing mushrooms in
your region, please contact me and tell me about it. I am happy to hear from
you.
[2] Mushroom Growers‘ Handbook 2: Shiitake Cultivation
[4] Wikipedia
[10] Own picture
[26] Own picture
I learned a lot .
Thanks
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to tell me.
Thank you for your work Rouven! Awesome site.
Does this article mean I could use the same fruiting chamber for king- and blue oysters, lion’s mane and chestnut mushrooms? Given their growing needs are in the same spectrum.
You could, in theory, and some mushroom farmers do. Especially in the beginning as it reduces the number of rooms you need. With that said, similar cultivation parameters do not mean similar optimal cultivation parameters.
What is the “%r.F.” value on the tables standing for? is it humidity?
Exactly. It is the German version of R.H. which is the relative humidity.