What if your next houseplant could double in size overnight and end up on your dinner plate?

Today we’re talking about how to grow mushrooms indoors and why it might be one of the most fun, beginner-friendly ways to grow edible mushrooms at home.

A couple of years ago, I recorded a Mushroom Miniseries with my husband and mushroom expert Louis from North Spore, and we talked about everything from growing mushrooms indoors to outdoor cultivation and harvesting your own mushrooms at home.

This episode is all about growing mushrooms indoors, including beginner-friendly options like mushroom grow kits, easy edible varieties like oyster mushrooms and lion’s mane, and what you actually need to get started.

It’s weird, it’s fascinating, it’s surprisingly easy, and if you’re a plant parent who’s ever wanted your hobby to become dinner, this one’s for you.

I’m so excited to bring this episode back as part of our Best of Growing Joy series, and I think you’re going to love it.

In this episode, we learn:

[00:56] This episode’s special guest!
[02:02] Billy and I started exploring mushrooms after watching ‘Fantastic Fungi’
[05:57] An overview of our four-part mushroom miniseries!
[07:57] Who is Louis Giller and why is he so crazy about mushrooms?
[11:31] Mushroom appreciation!
[12:36] How we started this passion project
[16:42] What is the difference between mushrooms and fungi?
[19:00] Are you looking for a product that improves plant growth while reducing water usage?
[20:40] Where can you get high-quality potato seeds this summer?
[22:50] What differentiates fungi from flora?
[25:21] What is the main purpose of mushrooms?
[27:08] Let’s explore the Wood Wide Web!
[30:54] What determines the fungus' fruiting body structure?
[35:38] Do potting mixes and composts with mycorrhizae help plants absorb water and nutrients faster, and how does this work?
[37:05] What are the little yellow mushrooms growing in your houseplant soils?
[39:36] What are adaptogenic mushrooms?
[40:40] Chaga and Reishi mushrooms: their anti-inflammatory benefits and unknown mechanisms
[43:43] Why mushroom have high-end protein content
[48:56] Ready to prioritize your health by investing in your sleep with the comfiest bedsheets
[51:07] Are the Cordyceps from The Last of Us TV show real?
[53:21] Louis’ best mushroom-related books for beginners!
[57:37] What are the mushrooms that Loius regularly consumes?
[59:31] What are some affordable ways to grow mushrooms at home?

Mentioned in our conversation:

Champs Trade Shows
Paul Stamets’s film Fantastic Fungi
Pizza ai Funghi
Giuliana Furci
FunDiS
HBO TV Series The Last of Us
Netflix TV Series How to Change Your Mind
Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Mushrooms
Tero Isokauppila’s book Healing Adaptogens
David L. Spahr’s book Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada
Merlin Sheldrake’ book Entangled Life
Four Sigmatic

What mushroom would you want to grow first?

Check out the full show notes and blog for grow kits, mushroom-growing tips, and everything we mentioned in this episode!

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