How to Grow Magic Mushrooms with a Grow Kit

Growing your own magic mushrooms sounds complicated, but with a ready-made grow kit you hardly need to do anything for your first harvest. The substrate is already colonised with mycelium; you provide the right place, a bit of patience and clean hands. This guide takes you through every step, from unboxing to harvesting, the next flushes, drying and storage.

In short: place the kit (without lid) in its plastic bag in a light spot out of direct sunlight at 18–28°C, don’t water it, and harvest just before the veils under the caps tear. Then give the kit a 12-hour cold water bath and repeat. With good care you get 3 or more harvests.

What’s in a magic mushroom grow kit?

Our kits contain a container with substrate full of Psilocybe cubensis mycelium (the “Golden Teacher” is known for its golden caps), a plastic grow bag with micro-perforations and a paperclip to close it. Total yield depends on the conditions, typically about 120 to 350+ grams of fresh mushrooms over several harvests.

Step 1: Preparation

Start as soon as possible after delivery. If you have to wait, store the kit in the refrigerator at 3–5°C in an airtight bag for no longer than 3–4 weeks.

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Work in a clean space.
Optionally lay out a clean towel to work on.

Step 2: Start the kit

Take the container, the plastic bag and the paperclip out of the box.
Remove the lid of the container. Rinse it and keep it: you’ll need it later.
Place the container without the lid in the plastic bag.
Fold the top closed with the paperclip, with the micro-perforations at the top for air circulation.

Important:

Don’t water the kit.
Place it in a spot with daylight, but never in direct sunlight.
Keep the temperature between 18°C and 28°C. Around 23°C is ideal; a heating mat helps in a cold room.
Avoid draughty or cold places.

Step 3 (optional): Stand the substrate upright

After about 1–1.5 weeks you’ll see small white balls (pins) forming. You can then carefully stand the substrate upright and put it back in the bag. This gives mushrooms room to grow on more sides.

Step 4: Harvest at the right moment

Mushrooms are ready about 7–10 days after the first pins appear. The perfect moment is just before the veil tears: the thin skin on the underside of the cap that covers the gills.

Ready: the veil is still light (grey-white) but starts to darken or sag.
Too late: the veil has torn and hangs down the stem, the gills are exposed and turn dark, and spores start to drop. Harvest these right away anyway.

Harvest by gently twisting and pulling each mushroom at the base, so you don’t damage the mycelium. Remove all mushrooms and remnants, so nothing rots on the substrate. Judge every mushroom individually.

Step 5: Cold shock for the next harvest

After harvesting, the kit needs water to produce a new flush:

Wash your hands and work clean.
Take the container out of the bag and fill it completely with clean tap water.
Put the lid on and let it soak for 12 hours, preferably somewhere cold like the refrigerator.
Open the lid just a little and carefully let all the water drain away, so no substrate escapes.
Remove the lid (keep it!) and go back to step 2.

Do’s and don’ts while growing

Do	Don’t
Work with clean hands and a clean space	Add extra water or nutrients beyond the cold shock
Follow the steps carefully	Open the bag more often than needed
Keep the kit warm (18–28°C) and light, out of direct sun	Place it in a draughty or cold spot
Optional: keep a log of temperature and growth	Leave old mushrooms on the substrate

Drying your magic mushrooms

Fresh mushrooms keep only 3–4 days. Mushrooms contain up to 90% water, so to keep them longer you need to dry them completely; any moisture left can cause mould.

Option 1: Air drying

Lay the mushrooms on a tray with two layers of kitchen paper, not touching each other. Put them in a warm, dry spot (near a heater for example) and cover them with a dark towel to hold heat. Replace the paper daily. Simple, but it may not remove all moisture.

Option 2: Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate)

Spread a 1 cm layer of Epsom salt on a baking tray and bake it for 2 hours at 250°C to remove all moisture.
Work quickly: break the hard slab into pieces and put them in an airtight container.
Place a rack above the salt, lay the mushrooms on it and close the lid immediately. The salt draws the moisture out.

Storing dried mushrooms

Store completely dried mushrooms in an airtight container (zip-lock bag or, better, vacuum sealed) in a cool, dark and dry place. Stored this way they keep for months, sometimes years.

Using your harvest safely

Mushrooms are stronger per gram than truffles, so use the right dose table. For a small dose at 70–80 kg body weight, that’s roughly 15.5 g fresh or 2.2 g dried; start lower if you’re new. Read how to prepare for your first trip and use our dosage calculators.

Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest?

About 3 weeks: pins appear after 1–1.5 weeks, and mushrooms are ready 7–10 days later.

Why is nothing growing?

Usually it’s too cold, too dark or in direct sunlight. Check that the temperature is between 18 and 28°C and that the bag is closed with the holes at the top.

How many harvests can I get?

With good care 3 or more. Each flush is usually a bit smaller than the previous one.

Rather not grow yourself?

Then magic truffles are ready to use. Compare them in magic truffles vs magic mushrooms.

→ View the PureMycelia™ grow kit

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Questions?

Check our FAQ or email us at info@awake-shop.com. We’re happy to help.

Medical disclaimer: this guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not use psilocybin if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication such as SSRIs or other antidepressants, or have (a history of) serious mental health conditions. If in doubt, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Effects differ per person; we don’t promise specific results.