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Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom Grow Kit Fruiting Block












Skill level | Beginner |
Grow location | Indoors |
Grow speed | 1.5 to 2 weeks |
Kit shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Kit dimensions | 6in H x 9in W x 6in D |
Kit weight | 5 lbs |
Fruiting temps | 55-70°F |
Our lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting block features a strain that produces plump, dense, shaggy mushroom clusters. Lion's mane mushrooms are highly versatile and can be enjoyed cooked, dried, extracted, or even steeped as tea! In addition to making an amazing meat substitute, it is an absolute culinary dream both in texture and flavor. That’s because, when cooked, it has a consistency and flavor similar to crab meat.
Though slightly harder to get flushes than oysters or shiitake, lion's mane fruiting blocks are still a great mushroom for confident beginners. They colonize quickly and are relatively reliable producers. It's important to note that Lion's mane can be prone to drying out if the ambient humidity is too low, so we recommend that you water it generously or grow your fruiting block in a humidity-controlled chamber, like a monotub or martha tent.
“5 of the Best Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes”
Upon receiving your kit:
Remove kit from the shipping box as soon as possible. Then, unfold the top of the bag, making room for air space. It's also important to check and confirm that the filter patch is not obstructed. This will help the organism breathe and continue to thrive until you are ready to grow your fruiting block!
Scroll down for guides on growing, storage, cooking, and more.
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For the majority of mushroom species, all that is needed to initiate fruiting (or begin the growth cycle) is a change in environmental conditions -- specifically humidity, light, temperature, and changes to oxygen and CO2 levels.
For best results:
We recommend growing your lion’s mane block in a fruiting chamber (like a monotub or martha tent) as a controlled environment will decrease the risk of contamination and increase the chances of success.
Creating optimal conditions:
The environmental parameters for lion’s mane can be found on this page under "Temp, Humidity & CO2 guide" and on page 9 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
Preparing your block:
Tightly fold excess plastic back and place the block face up.
How to initiate fruiting:
- Making small holes in the plastic encourages even growth which can be harvested easily and cleanly. We recommend cutting 3-4 small X’s on one plane of the bag.
- Lion’s mane can be top or side fruited depending on preference; side fruiting can encourage elongated spines.
Special considerations:
- Lion’s mane is prone to fruiting within the bag before being exposed to air; we do not recommend cutting holes where these fruits have begun to form.
- Avoid direct moisture (during pinning and fruitbody phases) and excess humidity (during fruitbody phase) to prevent rot.
Harvesting your mushrooms:
Mushrooms should be harvested after teeth have formed but before they elongate. Good shelf life; will begin to yellow as they dry out.
Growing different blocks together:
With some compromise, many different species of mushrooms can be grown together in a fruiting chamber. First, consider the temperature range of the mushrooms you desire to grow, and second, the CO2 sensitivity. Humidity ranges overlap for the majority of species. We encourage you to experiment with many different groupings!
Troubleshooting:
Having issues with unusual growth, stunted growth, or no growth at all? Refer to pages 16-18 of our fruiting block instruction booklet.
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Temperature 55-70°F | 13-21°C Humidity (Phase 1: Primordia) 90-95% Humidity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) 80-90% CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 1: Primordia) 500-700 ppm CO2 Sensitivity (Phase 2: Fruitbody) <1,000 ppm - Primordia - The earliest recognizable stage of fruitbody development. Also known as “baby mushrooms” or “mushroom pins.”
- Fruitbody - A fully grown mushroom, the reproductive structure of the organism in which the spores are produced.
- CO2 sensitivity - When CO2 levels are too high, yields will decrease, stems will become long and stringy, caps will be small, and/or growth will halt.
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If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your block for up to 6 months.
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"5 of the Best Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipes"
Its unique flavor and consistency make it ideal as a seafood substitute in recipes. We like to slice it into rounds and pan-fry it in olive oil or butter. We also recommend ripping it up and making vegan or vegetarian crab cakes with it. You can find some amazing recipes online!
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If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.
Mushrooms grow spores as they develop. This is a natural means of reproduction. This is when people with allergies or compromised immune systems may want to consider putting fruiting mushroom kits outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Spores in mushrooms sometimes cause respiratory irritation. In rare cases, spores may also cause irritation for some non-allergic or non-immunocompromised mushroom growers. If you are one of them, it is recommended to reduce the overall spore load by harvesting mushrooms while they are still in their younger growth stages.
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- Reviews
- Questions
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Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!
Lion's Mane Mushroom Crab Cakes
These were so simple to grow! They took about a week and a half to be ready for harvest but once they started growing out of the bag, they were doubling in size overnight. I made crab cakes out of the flush I harvested and the texture was almost exactly like crab and lobster. They also tasted absolutely amazing! Definitely would recommend getting these. They're so easy to grow too. You just cut a couple slits in the bag and boom...you have some boomers :)
North Spore
Thanks for sharing, Claire! Your grow looks amazing!

Favorite Fungus
Lion's mane is one of the easiest mushrooms to grow, and North Spore is always my go-to for these blocks. I can normally get 2-3 large flushes from it. I like to cut the mushroom into large slices, cover with teriyaki seasoning, hard press on the griddle, and then serve with soy sauce.
North Spore
Thanks for sharing Brayden!! Lion's mane is one of our favorite species, too! Glad you’re enjoying the experience.

Lion's Mane
working very well, I'm on the second fruiting. No problems.
North Spore
Thanks, Michael! The team is here to help if you ever need anything.

Sawdust spawn and inoculation tools
Northspore helped me get started this fall by first informing me what I needed to buy and when/how to get started with log inoculation. I ordered the drill bit, angle grinder adapter, wax, daubers and three different bags of sawdust spawn (Lions Mane, Shitake and Golden Oyster). It took a couple of weeks to get everything, which I knew. One of the bags split during shipping and when I informed them, they just sent me a new bag! Great customer support and service. I can't comment on the mushrooms yet, but my hope is that next year will be exciting watching my mushrooms grow.
North Spore
We really appreciate your support, Barry! Our team is here if you need anything!

Yummy food
Right out of the bag I got the most dynamic Lion's Mane. It was so fun to watch it grow and so yummy to eat. I got it so I could try the Lions Mane before I invested the time and money into plugs. So worth the effort! I also broke up the remaining spawn bag and added it to prepared wood in a bucket to see if I can extend the life of the block. Fingers crossed
North Spore
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, Margaret! Glad you are enjoying the lion's mane! Please reach out if you ever need anything.


great first flush
several big ones in the first flush, healthy and delicious! looking forward to the next one.
North Spore
Thanks for the support Tim! We couldn’t do it without customers like you.

Love that Lions Mane.
This is the third or fourth time I've bought from North Spore. I've always had great success with them. I'm an herbalist and forager so I'm also making medicines as well as food. My favortite is the Lions Mane, for both flavor and the medicinal properties. I have a tincture brewing now with the first flush from my latest purchase. I'll make a decoction with the strained marc in a week or so to give me a complete dual extraction. I'll be purchasing again.
North Spore
Thanks for the great review, Terri! We really appreciate your support.

Great Yield, Quick Fruiting!
These were ready to harvest only about a week and a half after being put into my tent! Overall massive fruits with great flavor. Highly recommended!
North Spore
Your grow looks amazing, Chris! Our team is here if you need anything!

Wonderful
Amazing and fun to grow.

It works and will def buy more
Put them in fruiting chamber, cut a slash on the block, a day later I could see pinning start and a few more days they are coming out the bag. Very exciting to see them growing and really looking forward to eating them!