How to Grow Cordyceps Mushrooms at Home (Step-by-Step Guide)

Cordyceps mushrooms are known for their unique appearance and powerful health benefits. Growing cordyceps at home can be an exciting and rewarding project. With the right tools and some patience, you can cultivate these mushrooms in your own space.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to grow cordyceps, step by step, so you can start growing your own fungi in no time.

Let’s take a look at the basics of growing cordyceps and how you can get started.

• Cordyceps can be successfully grown at home using nutrient-rich substrates like rice or barley.

• Ensuring a sterile environment during substrate preparation and inoculation is essential to prevent contamination and foster healthy mycelial growth.

• From preparing nutrient-rich substrates to incubation and fruiting, following precise steps ensures optimal conditions for cultivating cordyceps mushrooms.

Cordyceps is a type of parasitic fungus that grows on insect larvae in nature. However, when grown at home, the mushrooms are cultivated on a nutrient-rich medium, such as rice or other grains. 

Known for their health benefits, cordyceps are often used to boost energy, improve athletic performance, and support overall health.

While these mushrooms are usually found in the wild, cultivating them at home has become more popular in recent years. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to grow cordyceps in the comfort of your own home.

Before you begin growing cordyceps mushrooms, it's important to gather all the necessary materials and understand the steps you'll take to get your mushroom spores growing. Then, there's a special process for fruiting and harvesting your fungi crops.

It also helps to understand the stages of mushroom growth, just so you know what to look out for as your homegrown cordyceps progresses. 

Here's how to grow Cordyceps:

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Here’s what you’ll need to grow cordyceps mushrooms:

• Cordyceps mushroom spores or mycelium : You can buy these online or from specialty mushroom suppliers.

• Substrate: Typically, a mixture of rice, barley, or other grains works well.

• Glass jars or containers that are pressure-canner friendly : To hold the substrate and spores during incubation. Quart canning jars or bags made specifically for mushroom cultivation are ideal.

• Autoclavable grain spawn lids (with injection ports and air exchange patches): Useful if using mason jars. Optionally, you can drill a small hole in the jar lid and stuff it with poly-fil to create a filter. 

• Clean, sterile environment: This is important to avoid contamination. A clean room or a sterile setup, such as a still air box, is required.

• Pressure canner: You will use a pressure canner to sterilize the grains for inoculation. Skipping this step will usually result in mold or other contamination.

• Incubation chamber: A place where you can control temperature and humidity.

• Water sprayer: To maintain moisture levels during the fruiting phase.

• Plastic wrap or a plastic bag: To cover the jars during incubation.

• Fruiting substrate: Enough for 6 quart-sized jars (recipe options below)

• Aluminum foil 

• Optional: Measuring spoons (for the Egg-Based Recipe), gram scale (for the Chemical-Based or Regular Recipes)

Choosing the right substrate is crucial for successfully growing cordyceps mushrooms. 

In the case of growing cordyceps, a mixture of good substrate and nutrient broth is needed to provide the nutrients that the mycelium needs to grow and eventually fruit. While rice is one of the most common choices, there are several other substrates that can work well.

Here are a few options to consider:

• Rice (Brown or White): Brown rice is a popular choice because it is rich in nutrients that cordyceps mycelium thrives on. It’s easy to prepare, and the grains provide good structure for the mycelium to colonize. White rice can also be used, but brown rice tends to be a bit more nutritious for the fungi.

• Barley: Barley is another great substrate for growing cordyceps. It’s packed with sugars and starches that support mycelial growth. It also has a higher fiber content, which can be beneficial for some strains of cordyceps. Barley is also easy to sterilize and prepare for inoculation.

• Other Grains: Other grains, such as millet, corn, or oats can also be used, but they might require special care when sterilizing or preparing. Rye, for example, is another popular option because it is nutrient-dense and provides a good structure for the mycelium.

For our explanation, we will assume you are using rice. The amount of grains needs to be adjusted if using other types of grains, which have a different density and weight than rice.

You’ll need to enrich the rice with a nutrient broth. Remember, cordyceps typically grow on caterpillars, and they need some specific nutrients to survive. One of these recipes can be used to create a nutrient broth to add to your rice substrate:

• 8 g potato starch

• 15 g dextrose

• 5 g yeast

• 1 tsp gypsum

• 3 g soy peptone

• 500 mL water (80 mL per jar for 6 jars)

• 45 g brown rice in each jar

Directions: Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing jar. Add water to make 500 mL of solution, then shake to mix. Distribute 45 g of brown rice into each jar, then add 80 mL of the prepared solution to each. Seal jars with autoclavable lids and aluminum foil, then sterilize (see below).

• 3 whole eggs with shells (blended)

• 1 Tbsp light malt extract

• 1 Tbsp yeast extract

• Water (to make 500 mL solution)

• 45 g brown rice in each jar

Directions: Blend eggs with shells, then mix with malt extract, yeast extract, and water. Let foam settle, then add 80 mL of the solution to each jar containing 45 g of brown rice. Seal and sterilize (see below).

• 8 g potato starch

• 5 g KH₂PO₄

• 25 g MgSO₄ (Epsom salt)

• 25 g C₆H₁₄N₂O₇

• 5 g dextrose

• 75 g soy peptone

• 0.0625 g thiamine (vitamin B1)

• 500 mL water (80 mL per jar for 6 jars)

• 45 g brown rice in each jar

Directions: Combine all dry ingredients with water in a mixing jar. Add 80 mL of solution to jars containing 45 g brown rice. Seal and sterilize (see below).

1. Prepare the jars: Wash and dry the jars thoroughly and prepare lids. For pre-made autoclave lids, no prep is needed. If taking an alternate route, drill holes in the lids and attach a filter such as polyfill or an airflow patch.

2. Add the rice to the jars: Add approximately 45 grams of rice to each jar.

3. Add broth solution : Add finished broth solution to jars according to the recipes above.

4. Seal jars and cover: Seal the jars and cover the lids with aluminum foil to prevent condensation from dripping inside the air flow port.

5. Sterilize the grains: Place the cooked grains in jars or containers and sterilize them by pressure cooking them at 15 PSI for 120 minutes. This step is important to kill any competing microbes. Canning jars or mushroom grow bags with a self-sealing valve attached are used by most experienced mushroom growers.

6. Cool the substrate: Let the sterilized grains cool to room temperature before inoculating them with the cordyceps spores.

Once your substrate has cooled, it’s time to inoculate it with the cordyceps spores or liquid culture, depending on the starting material you chose. This is a delicate step, so make sure you work in a clean, sterile environment to avoid contamination.

1. Prepare the spores or mycelium: If you are using spores, you will need to mix them with a small amount of water to create a spore solution. If you have a form of mycelium, like liquid culture, it can be mixed directly with the cooled substrate. One easy way to do this is to draw the solution into a sterile syringe. Some cultures come in syringes already.

2. Move to your sterile environment, such as a still air box: It's important to do your inoculation in a sterile environment. Many people use a homemade or store bought still air box (SAB) to inoculate grains with mushroom spores.

3. Once inside the SAB, sterilize equipment . Use the alcohol prep pads to sterilize the jars, syringes, or other equipment you may use to inoculate.

4. Transfer spores to the substrate: Carefully sprinkle, pour, or inject the spores or mycelium onto the cooled substrate. If using a syringe, inject a small amount through the self-sealing port on the bag or jar. Work slowly and efficiently to minimize the chance of contamination.

5. Seal the jars: Cover the jars with plastic wrap or a lid, but leave a small gap for airflow. This is not necessary if using a self-sealing port.

After inoculating the substrate, the next step is to allow the mycelium to colonize the grains. This is known as the incubation phase.

1. Place jars in a warm, dark area: The ideal temperature for cordyceps incubation is around 70-75°F (21-24°C).

2. Maintain humidity: During this stage, the jars should remain in a humid environment. This is crucial for proper mycelium growth.

3. Shake every 2-3 days: Shake bags or jars every few days to break up and redistribute the mycelium. This will help colonization happen faster and prevent the mycelium from being outcompeted by any potential contaminants.

4. Wait for colonization: Over the next 1-2 weeks, the mycelium will begin to grow and colonize the substrate. You’ll see the grains slowly turn white as the mycelium takes over. Mycelium is pure white–any discoloration (yellow, red, or otherwise) is contamination.

Now that you have fully colonized grain spawn, you can transfer it to your growing medium in a grow box or bag. This method is used to quickly cultivate large flushes of mushrooms.

However, this is not a necessary step. You can simply allow the jars to fully colonize and then open them to fruiting conditions and harvest fruit that grows directly from the top of the jars. This method will produce fruit more quickly, but will produce less fruit. For this method, skip to Step 5: Fruiting Conditions.

A grow box provides the controlled environment needed for Cordyceps to thrive during fruiting. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Select the Right Container: Use a clear plastic container with a lid or a specialized mushroom grow bag. The container should allow for easy monitoring of growth and provide enough space for the fruiting bodies to develop.

2. Layering the Substrate:

   • Base Layer: Add a sterilized nutrient-rich substrate (such as a mix of brown rice or other sterilized grain). Spread it evenly across the bottom of the box.

   • Add Spawn: Break up the colonized grain spawn gently and evenly mix it with the substrate. Ensure the mixture is distributed to maximize contact between the spawn and substrate for quicker colonization.

   • Cover Layer: Optionally, add a thin layer of uncolonized sterilized substrate on top to retain moisture and support further growth.

3. Seal and Vent: Close the lid of your container but create small holes or vents covered with breathable filter tape to allow a very small amount of airflow while preventing contamination. For grow bags, ensure the filter patch remains unobstructed.

• Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature of 68–75°F (20–24°C) during this colonization phase.

• Humidity: The environment should stay humid to prevent the substrate from drying out. Mist the sides of the container as needed to maintain 80–90% humidity.

• Light: Keep the box in low light or darkness during this phase, as light isn’t needed until fruiting begins.

• Cleanliness: Place the grow box in a clean area to minimize the risk of contamination.

The mycelium will take approximately 2–4 weeks to fully colonize the new substrate, depending on environmental conditions. You’ll know colonization is complete when the substrate is covered with white, fluffy mycelium.

Once the substrate is fully colonized, proceed to Step 5: Fruiting Conditions to initiate fruiting and begin harvesting your Cordyceps mushrooms.

Once your substrate is fully colonized by the mycelium, it’s time to initiate the fruiting phase. This is where you will encourage the cordyceps mushrooms to sprout.

1. Lower the temperature: To trigger fruiting, lower the temperature to around 60-65°F (15-18°C).

2. Increase humidity: Use a humidifier or a water sprayer to keep the environment moist. You want to maintain about 80-90% humidity.

3. Provide Air circulation: Introducing the mycelium to air, a process called Fresh Air Exchange (FAE), is the primary trigger for fruiting. Do this by venting the lid or removing airflow covers on your growing boxes. If growing in jars, simply remove the lids and place the jars back in a clean, still environment.

4. Provide Light: During the fruiting stage, provide 10–12 hours of indirect light daily.

Yes, Cordyceps requires light to fruit but not to colonize. However, keep them in complete darkness during colonization to ensure healthy mycelial growth.

While some mushrooms can grow in complete darkness, Cordyceps cannot. Research has shown that Cordyceps can produce fruit in full light without any periods of darkness, but it will not produce any fruit without any light at all.

• Timeline: Fruiting typically begins 7–14 days after adjusting conditions, but full maturity can take 6–8 weeks.

• Initial Signs: Small orange pinheads may appear first. These are the beginnings of the fruiting bodies.

• Growth Progression: Over time, the mushrooms will grow into longer, finger-like structures resembling bright orange "Cheetos." They may appear slightly fuzzy initially but will smooth out as they develop.

• Environmental Adjustments: Monitor humidity and airflow to prevent stunted growth or contamination. Too much moisture can cause bacterial growth, while insufficient airflow may slow fruiting.

After about 2-3 weeks, you should start to see the tiny cordyceps mushrooms emerging from the substrate. It can take some time for the mushrooms to fully mature, so patience is key.

1. Wait for full growth: Cordyceps mushrooms will typically grow to about 2-3 inches tall. The mushrooms should be bright orange and firm. Harvest mushrooms when they appear "shaggy" and have fully developed club-like heads.

2. Harvesting the mushrooms: Use clean hands or a sterile knife to gently cut the mushrooms from the substrate. Be careful not to disturb the mycelium or the surrounding substrate.

After you’ve harvested your mushrooms, you’ll need to take care of the remaining substrate. In some cases, it might produce another flush of mushrooms, so you can try to harvest again.

• Rehydrate the substrate: After harvesting, add a small amount of water to the substrate to replenish moisture and encourage additional flushes of mushrooms. Proper hydration can extend the productive life of the substrate.

• Store mushrooms properly: Fresh Cordyceps should either be dried immediately to preserve their potency or used as soon as possible. For dried mushrooms, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage and maintain quality. Refrigeration or freezing is an option for long-term storage.

Growing cordyceps mushrooms at home can sometimes be tricky. Here are some common issues you might face and how to resolve them:

• Contamination: If you notice mold or unusual growth, it may be a sign of contamination. To prevent this, ensure everything is sterile, and avoid handling the substrate too much during inoculation.

• No fruiting: If the mushrooms aren’t fruiting, check the temperature, humidity, and light levels. You may need to adjust one of these factors to encourage growth.

• Slow mycelium growth: If the mycelium is growing too slowly, try increasing the temperature or adding a bit more moisture.

Learning how to grow cordyceps mushrooms at home can be a fun and beneficial project. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to cultivate your own supply of these amazing mushrooms. With patience, attention to detail, and a bit of care, you’ll soon have your own home-grown cordyceps ready to harvest.

Happy growing!