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- Grow bags make mushroom production faster and lower the chance of contamination.
- Bags with filter patches let air in and out and allow for sterilization without special tools.
- Oyster and lion's mane mushrooms do best in bags with controlled conditions.
- Keep humidity at 80-95% when mushrooms start to grow.
- You can harvest mushrooms more than once from each bag, which saves money for home growers.
Growing mushrooms at home is much more popular now. People grow them for health, cooking, or to make food in a sustainable way. For beginners, mushroom grow bags are one of the easiest ways to start. They are cheap, work well, save space, and help you get good harvests. This guide will tell you all you need to know about grow bags. You'll learn what kinds of mushrooms grow well in them, common mistakes to avoid, and if they are worth your time and money.
What Mushroom Grow Bags Are
Mushroom grow bags are plastic bags made for growing mushrooms. They are usually made of thick, strong plastic that can handle heat. They have special patches that let air move in and out. These patches stop bad things like mold and bacteria from getting inside and messing up the clean environment.
These bags are used to hold the material mushrooms grow in and as a place for the mushroom roots and mushrooms to grow. Because they are strong and can handle heat, you can sterilize these bags directly by boiling, steaming, or pressure cooking them without damage. Sterilizing is very important when growing mushrooms. It gets rid of other things that might compete with the mushrooms and lets the mushroom you want grow well in the material.
The filter patch is very important. It lets carbon dioxide out and oxygen in, without letting bad things from outside get to the mushrooms. This makes sure the mushrooms grow in a cleaner way and are more likely to grow well at first.
Materials Used in Grow Bags
- Polypropylene plastic (3-6 mil thick)
- Microporous filter patch (0.2μm–0.5μm)
- Gusseted bottoms so they can stand up
- Optional injection ports to put mushroom spores inside without opening the bag
These design features make mushroom grow bags great for both people who grow mushrooms as a hobby and for businesses. They make growing mushrooms simpler.
Why Use Grow Bags for Mushrooms?
Mushroom grow bags have many good points that make them one of the best and easiest ways for people to grow mushrooms at home. Here’s why this way of growing mushrooms is so good
Saves Space
If you grow mushrooms in a city or apartment, saving space is very helpful. Grow bags can be put on shelves, in closets, or in small greenhouses inside. They don’t take up much space. You don't need big containers or outdoor areas. Even a small kitchen can work as a growing area.
Faster Harvests
Some mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, grow roots quickly in bags with filter patches. Sometimes they produce mushrooms in just 10–14 days after the roots have filled the bag. Because the bags create a good small environment, mushrooms grow much faster than if you grow them outside or in less controlled setups like big tubs.
Cleaner Growing Spaces
The bag is sealed, and it has a filter patch. This gives better protection against contamination. The controlled environment reduces problems with bad organisms. This means even people who are new to growing mushrooms are more likely to succeed, even if they don't have very clean lab-like conditions.
Easy to Grow More or Less
Growers can start with just one or two bags. Then, they can easily grow more by adding more bags as they get better at it. Mushroom farms often use many bags, sometimes hundreds, in rooms where the temperature is controlled. Because each bag is predictable and easy to move, it makes the whole growing process easier.
Types of Mushroom Grow Bags
The type of grow bag you should use depends on how much experience you have, what equipment you have, and what you want to achieve. Here are the main types in more detail
| Type | Best For | Materials Used | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter Patch Autoclavable Bags | Growers with some or lots of experience | Hardwood sawdust, straw, manure | Can be sterilized, can be used again, good for growing mushrooms for a long time |
| Pre-Colonized Fruiting Blocks | People who are completely new to growing | Already has mushroom roots inside | Just spray with water and wait—very easy, low chance of problems |
| Pre-Pasteurized Substrate Bags | Beginners with not much equipment | Straw pellets, coco coir, compost mix | Pasteurized but not with mushroom roots yet—ready to add your mushroom roots |
Buying good bags, especially those with 0.2μm filters, can really lower the chances of contamination and help you succeed over time.
Best Mushrooms for Grow Bags
Different kinds of mushrooms like to grow in different ways. Luckily, several popular edible mushrooms grow well in grow bags
Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
- Best for: New growers
- Time to grow: Roots grow in 10–14 days; mushrooms soon after
- Material: Straw or sawdust
- Notes: Easy to grow and produces a lot; come in different colors (pink, blue, gold)
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
- Best for: Growers with some experience
- Time to grow: Roots grow slower (2–4 weeks)
- Material: Hardwood sawdust
- Notes: Good for brain and nerve health; needs high humidity
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
- Best for: Growers with experience and patience
- Time to grow: Roots take longer to grow (up to 8 weeks or more)
- Material: Hardwood sawdust with added nutrients
- Notes: Produces a lot of mushrooms over time; needs to be chilled to start producing mushrooms
King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii)
- Best for: Growers with some experience
- Time to grow: Roots grow in about 2–3 weeks
- Material: Sawdust or straw with added grain
- Notes: Grows thick, meaty stems; needs gentle airflow when mushrooms are growing
These types of mushrooms work well with grow bags because they easily grow mushrooms from cuts made in the sides or openings at the top. They also like the moisture that grow bags hold in.
What You Need to Grow in Bags
Even though grow bags make it easier, here’s a basic list of things you’ll need to get a good first harvest
Things You Must Have
- Mushroom grow bags (with 0.2μm or 0.5μm filter patches)
- Substrate (compressed straw pellets, oak sawdust, or compost mixes)
- Grain spawn or liquid culture syringe
- Pressure cooker or steamer (for sterilization)
- Gloves, isopropyl alcohol, and tools to seal bags
Things That Help (Good to Have)
- Humidity dome, small greenhouse, or plastic box
- LED light (for 12 hours a day of soft light)
- Hygrometer (to check humidity)
- Scissors or scalpel to cut bags
Another option is to get a complete all-in-one kit like the ones from Zombie Mushrooms. These kits include blocks with mushroom roots already inside. They are ready to grow without needing to sterilize, mix, or even use gloves.
How to Grow Mushrooms in a Bag: Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to start growing mushrooms in your grow bags
Pick Mushroom Type & Get Supplies
Choose easy types like blue oyster or lion’s mane. Get your substrate, spawn, and equipment ready.
Prepare Substrate
- Add water to your substrate and sterilize or pasteurize it.
- Let it cool completely before using it.
Put Mushroom Spawn in the Bag
- Add grain spawn or put liquid culture in using a special port.
- Shake gently to mix the spawn with the substrate inside the bag.
Keep in Warm, Dark Place
- Store bags in a clean, dark place (65–75°F).
- Wait 1–4 weeks for the white mushroom root to fill the substrate.
Start Mushroom Growth
- Move to a place with soft light and 90% humidity.
- Make cuts in the sides or fold down the top of the bag.
Keep Good Growing Conditions
- Spray with water 2–3 times a day and keep humidity at 85%–95%.
- Make sure there is fresh air by using slits or small fans.
Harvest and Do it Again
- Harvest when the mushroom caps get flat or look ready.
- Wait 1–2 weeks before the next set of mushrooms grow.
A bag can produce mushrooms many times if you keep it moist and with good airflow!
Making the Growing Environment Right
Making the growing conditions just right is as important as picking the right mushrooms. Here's how to make a good environment in your home:
Temperature
- Oyster mushrooms: 60–75°F
- Lion’s mane: 65–70°F
- Shiitake: 55–65°F (best if chilled first)
Humidity
- Aim for 85%–95% humidity when mushrooms are growing. Use a plant sprayer, fog machine, or humidifier if needed.
Lighting
- Mushrooms don't need sunlight. 12 hours of a dim LED light or light from a window is good.
Airflow
- Gases from mushrooms (like carbon dioxide) must get out, or mushrooms won't grow. Open slits and gentle air movement are important. Don't use strong fans that can dry them out.
Harvesting and Storing After Harvest
Harvesting Tips
- Cut mushrooms when the caps start to flatten, but before the edges turn up too much.
- Use a sterilized knife to avoid getting bacteria or mold in the bag.
- Gently take off groups of mushrooms to avoid ripping or damaging the substrate.
Storage Tips
- Wrap clean, dry mushrooms in paper towels or breathable cloth in the fridge.
- Store in paper bags—don't use plastic, which traps moisture and makes them slimy.
- Use within 5–8 days, depending on the type. Lion’s mane lasts the longest.
Harvest Amounts, Reusing Bags, and Compost
How Much Will You Get?
- Oyster mushrooms: 1–2 lbs each harvest
- Lion’s Mane: 0.5–1.5 lbs each harvest
- Shiitake: Up to 1 lb total over several months
You might get 2–4 harvests from each bag if you keep it moist and clean.
Can You Use Bags Again?
Yes, you can technically use them again—but it’s not really practical. Used bags have weaker substrate and a higher chance of contamination. Most growers compost the used substrate and start with new bags.
Eco Tip
Used substrate is great for garden compost or for chicken bedding!
Fixing Common Problems
- Bad smell or green mold? The bag is contaminated—throw it away safely.
- No mushrooms after roots have grown? Check humidity, temperature, and fresh air. These are very important when mushrooms are growing.
- Mushrooms only grow on one side? Uneven humidity or light is usually why—turn or move the bag.
Pre-cut bags from kits like Zombie Mushrooms make sure mushrooms grow well without guessing.
Are Mushroom Grow Bags Really Worth It?
Yes, definitely. Grow bags are great for everyone from beginners to experts. They are cleaner, can produce a lot of mushrooms, and are easy to use. Compared to bigger, messier ways of growing like tubs, logs, or soil beds, grow bags lower risk and cost and help you get more mushrooms. If you want to be more self-sufficient, make your own food, or just enjoy tasty mushrooms at home, you should try them.
How Zombie Mushrooms Makes It Even Easier
If you don’t have much time or don’t want to do the prep work, Zombie Mushrooms has grow kits made to be easy for beginners
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom Growing Kit – Already has mushroom roots and is ready to grow mushrooms.
- Choose Any 2 & Save Bundle – Choose any two of oyster, lion’s mane, or shiitake kits and save money.
- Each block is sealed, filtered, and easy to use—just spray with water and harvest.
Tips for People Growing Bags for the First Time
- Start with oyster mushrooms—they are reliable and grow fast.
- Be very clean when handling spawn or substrates.
- Check humidity often—if it’s too dry, mushrooms won’t grow.
- Write down what you do each time you grow to learn what works best for you.
- Compost your used bags instead of trying to use them again.
Your mushroom growing may start with one bag—but it could become a hobby you enjoy for life.
Citations
- American Mushroom Institute. (2021). Understanding substrate choice and bag methods in mushroom cultivation.
- USDA National Agricultural Library. (2020). Home-based oyster mushroom production: Methods and success metrics.
