Learn when to harvest lions mane mushrooms (AKA bearded tooth fungus or Hericium erinaceus). The best time for harvesting lions mane is when their furry “teeth” are about ¼-inch long (0.6cm). I’ll also give you details on using a lions mane grow kit, photos showing how to tell when lion’s mane is ready to harvest, how to cook, store, and more.

When to Harvest Lions Mane 

When should I pick my lion’s mane? My first mushroom harvest was ready for picking in about 19 days. This isn’t quite as fast as the grow time for harvesting oyster mushrooms, but the results were even more spectacular. 

When ready to harvest, the lion’s mane feels a bit spongy and has white, hair-like spines that are about ¼-inch long (0.6 cm). 

I started seeing lion’s mane mushroom development in four days. Your first flush of lion’s mane mushrooms could take more or less time. It depends on the growing environment (temperature and humidity) in your house, as well as your particular kit. 

As you can see from my lion’s mane mushroom pictures, this is one unusual looking fungus. Its dense and shaggy appearance has earned it a variety of interesting nicknames: 

• Monkey Head Mushroom 
• Bear’s Head 
• Satyr’s Beard 
• Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom 
• Pom Pom Mushroom 
• Bearded Tooth Mushroom 
• Bearded Tooth Fungus 

What causes lions mane with no teeth?

Lion’s mane without teeth are generally due to poor growing conditions. Mushroom cultivation requires the right temperature, humidity levels, and fresh air exchange. 

Young lion’s mane mushrooms may not have developed teeth yet. At first, lion’s mane mushrooms look a bit like cauliflower. With patience, they will develop their characteristic fuzzy or hairy appearance. This is how you know it’s time to harvest them. 

Why are the lion’s mane turning yellow?

Lion’s mane can turn yellow when it is getting old. Yellowing can be a signal that it’s time to harvest the mushrooms. It can also indicate that the growing environment (such as the humidity) wasn’t ideal for fruiting. 

Lion’s Mane Grow Kit Instructions 

I think you’re going to be surprised at how simple lion’s mane cultivation is. With a lion’s mane grow kit, there’s no risk of accidentally picking a lookalike mushroom, as there is with foraging. 

The North Spore lion’s mane mushroom kit box contains everything you need to grow mushrooms except water. You get a fully colonized sawdust block containing the mushroom mycelium, a spray bottle, and mushroom kit instructions. 

To get growing, remove the guide and spray bottle from the box. Cut the perforated rectangle from the side of the box. Use a box cutter or knife to cut a large “X” in the plastic underneath.

Put water in the small spray bottle provided with the kit and mist the X in the plastic with water. Just keep misting with water two times per day or more until it’s time to harvest. That’s all you need to do! 

This mushroom really loves high humidity. North Spore recommends watering lion’s mane mushrooms generously to keep them from drying out. Set them up in a moist part of the house, such as a basement or cellar. 

I misted the lion’s mane mushroom substrate every morning and night. Those living in drier climates may need to spritz them more often or set up a humidity tent. There are instructions on creating a humidity tent for growing lions mane mushrooms below.

What is the best wood for growing lion’s mane mushrooms?

You don’t need wood for the North Spore Spray and Grow lion’s mane mushroom growing kit. If you’re inoculating logs with mushroom spawn plugs or hardwood sawdust spawn, North Spore recommends using hard maple, beech, or hornbeam wood for lion’s mane mushrooms.  

Other types of hardwood trees can also be used for inoculation, but those are considered the best choices. Don’t use conifers for growing lion’s mane. 

When to Use a Mushroom Grow Tent 

As mentioned above, lion’s mane mushrooms LOVE moisture! If your lion’s mane mushrooms growing conditions are too dry, your mushrooms can die. 

Luckily, it’s very easy to use a plastic bag to create a humidity tent. Take the bag and cut ½-inch (2.54 cm) holes all over. Then simply drape the bag over the mushroom kit. 

Mist the inside of the bag with water frequently. Your lion’s mane mushrooms need fresh air, indirect light, and moisture to grow their best. You may be able to remove the humidity tent (but keep watering the mushrooms) after baby mushrooms form. 

How to Harvest Lion’s Mane 

To harvest lions mane mushrooms, take a sharp knife and cut them free from the substrate. If you pick all the mushrooms off and keep spraying a couple of times per day you may get a second flush of mushrooms. 

I got my second crop of lion’s mane mushrooms about 18 days after the first round. Admittedly, the second flush was smaller. However, I’m impressed that my North Spore kits have consistently produced multiple mushrooms crops; many mushroom kits don’t.

How to Store Lion’s Mane Mushrooms 

It’s best to pick your lion’s mane mushrooms when you are ready to cook and eat them. Lion’s mane mushrooms picked ahead of time should be kept in a small paper bag in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for at least 2-3 days (and maybe longer) in the main part of the fridge. 

What to Do with Lion’s Mane Mushroom 

Many say that the lion’s mane mushroom tastes like crab, with a similar soft and chewy texture. I’ve seen it used as a vegetarian seafood substitute in vegan crab cakes. (Though keep in mind it doesn’t provide the protein real seafood does.) 

If you need ideas for cooking lions mane mushrooms, the recipe can be as simple as sautéing them in olive oil or butter with herbs and garlic. Another way to use lion’s mane mushrooms is to sauté them in butter with some Old Bay seasoning. This preparation really allows its crab cake flavor to shine. 

Here are a few more recipes for lion’s mane mushrooms (substitute some or all of the mushrooms in these recipes for lions mane): 

• High Calorie Pasta (a delicious dish of pasta and gourmet mushrooms!) 
• Tempeh Bolognese Sauce 
• Oyster Mushroom Jerky 

You can also add lion’s mane to soup, fry them for nuggets, or use them in tea. Start with a small amount if it’s the first time you’re having lion’s mane mushrooms. That way you can see how your body reacts to this new food.  

Can you eat lion’s mane raw?

No, it is recommended to cook home grown lion’s mane mushrooms thoroughly before eating (source).

Lion’s Mane Benefits 

Lion’s mane supplements have been studied for their therapeutic potential to improve a variety of serious conditions, including depression and Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, this mushroom cannot cure dementia or Alzheimer’s, and there are limited studies on safety with long-term use. That said, there are plenty of general nutritional benefits associated with eating lion’s mane mushrooms. 

What are the health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms? First off, mushrooms fit most of the special diets: keto, vegan, low carb, gluten free, Paleo, dairy free, etc. Here are some additional nutritional benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms: 

• Increases vegetable intake: Mushrooms are fungi that are part of the vegetable group on MyPlate. Yes, it’s true, mushrooms count towards your veggie intake in terms of nutrition. 
• B vitamins: Like meat and grains, mushrooms provide a variety of B-complex vitamins. They also provide certain minerals, such as potassium, for a healthy heart. 
• Very low calorie: Weight watchers and others looking to lose weight should consider adding mushrooms to the diet. Mushrooms, including lion’s mane mushrooms, provide a lot of volume for very few calories. They can help bulk up a low calorie meal to help it feel more satisfying. 
• Delicious: Mushrooms magically remain a delicious comfort food that are also a healthy and nutritious option. Mushrooms are so versatile; it’s easy to incorporate them into many different meals. 

Watch them grow!

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