Description
White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
White Button Mushrooms grow in a nutrient-rich compost substrate and have a compact, low-growing habit. Their cycle is relatively quick, with small pins usually appearing within 2 to 3 weeks, or even sooner under ideal conditions, in cool, shaded indoor areas with stable temperatures of 17–20 °C. They are ready to harvest when the caps are firm, rounded, and before they flatten out completely.
Kits produce multiple flushes (harvest rounds) over several weeks, with a potential total yield of up to 2.5 kg when cared for properly with consistent watering to maintain humidity.
White Button Mushrooms are highly valued for their versatility in the kitchen. They can be eaten raw or cooked, adding flavour to salads, pastas, stir-fries, pizzas, sauces, and soups. Nutritionally, they are low in calories and provide B vitamins, selenium, potassium, antioxidants, and dietary fibre for a healthy diet.
When to Plant
Kits are supplied from April to September to match cooler seasonal conditions, making it easier to maintain the recommended indoor temperatures without extra effort. Avoid starting kits during the hottest months, when controlling indoor temperatures can be more difficult.
Climate Suitability
White Button Mushroom Kits are designed for indoor cultivation and can be grown successfully in many climates if suitable indoor conditions are maintained.
They perform best in cool, shaded indoor spaces with stable temperatures between 17–20 °C. While the overall indoor environment can be in a low-humidity region, maintaining high humidity around the growing substrate is essential. This can be easily achieved through regular misting and, if needed, loosely covering the kit with ventilated plastic to help retain moisture.
Recommended indoor locations include kitchen benches, cupboards, garages, shaded shelves, or spare rooms with low light. Choose spaces free from direct sunlight, draughts, air-conditioning vents, or areas prone to temperature fluctuations.
How to Use Your Kit
Your kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions. It includes a compost-based growing medium that has been carefully prepared and inoculated with mushroom mycelium, visible as fine, white, thread-like strands throughout the compost.
Once set up, place the kit in a cool, shaded indoor spot with stable temperatures between 17–20 °C. Gently add the peat moss casing layer, spreading it evenly without pressing it down.
Mist regularly with clean water to keep the surface evenly moist but not wet. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge, damp but not soggy or dry. Consistent moisture and humidity are essential for healthy growth.
Humidity and Care
Maintain high humidity around the kit to encourage reliable mushroom formation. In drier conditions, you can loosely cover the kit with plastic containing small ventilation holes to help retain moisture.
Check daily to ensure the substrate hasn’t dried out, adjusting misting as needed. Good airflow helps reduce the risk of mould while maintaining necessary humidity levels.
Mushrooms do not require any fertiliser or mulch.
Harvesting
Mushrooms are ready to harvest when caps are firm, rounded, and well-shaped, before flattening or opening. For a milder flavour and firmer texture, harvest just before the caps open. For a stronger, more developed flavour, allow them to open fully.
To harvest, gently twist or cut mushrooms at the base without disturbing the casing layer. For best results, harvest mature mushrooms in a flush at the same time to make room for new growth. Kits will produce multiple flushes over several weeks, often up to twelve weeks with proper care, but yields will decline over time as nutrients in the compost are gradually used up.
Once harvesting is complete and the kit is spent, you can add the used compost to your garden or compost heap to enrich your soil, as long as it is not affected by mould.
Pests and Diseases
These indoor kits significantly reduce the risk of pests and diseases. A dense white mycelium layer on the compost is normal and indicates healthy growth.
A healthy kit will have an earthy, natural scent similar to damp soil, without any strong or unpleasant odours. A sour or mouldy smell can indicate overwatering or contamination.
However, unwanted mould can appear as fuzzy green, black, or grey patches, especially if the substrate is too wet or ventilation is poor. To manage mould, remove small affected areas where possible, improve air circulation, and reduce excess misting.
Fungus gnats or small flies may be attracted to overly wet conditions, particularly toward the end of the cycle. Reduce watering slightly and ensure gentle airflow to discourage them.
Always wash your hands before handling the kit to avoid introducing contaminants.
Safety
Mushrooms are cultivated for edible produce and are considered safe to grow around children, as the kits do not contain harmful chemicals. However, as with any crop, supervise children during handling and keep pets away to prevent disturbance or accidental ingestion. While some edible mushrooms may be safe for pets in moderation, it is best to avoid allowing them to eat any mushrooms from the kit. If you have concerns, check with your veterinarian. Growing mushrooms can also be a fun, educational activity that helps children learn how food is produced.
Supplied as a complete kit.