How to Grow Button Mushroom
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Button Mushroom
Agaricus bisporus
vegetableButton mushrooms are small, dome-shaped fungi that range from white (button) to brown (cremini) varieties, with the same species at different maturity stages. They are the most commonly cultivated mushroom worldwide and can be grown indoors in controlled environments. These fast-growing fungi produce crops in 3-4 weeks and are highly nutritious with a mild, earthy flavor.
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Example Button Mushroom timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Button Mushroom
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Button Mushroom
Around May 8≈ 21 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Button Mushroom dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Not zone-dependent; grows indoors in any climate with proper temperature control
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Spawn Run
10-14 daysMushroom mycelium colonizes the prepared substrate, appearing as white threads spreading through the compost
Keep temperature at 55-65°F, darkness or low light, 85-90% humidity; avoid disturbance; ensure proper ventilation
Pinning
3-5 daysTiny mushroom primordia (pins) form on the substrate surface, appearing as small white bumps
Increase fresh air exchange, reduce temperature to 55-60°F, maintain high humidity (90-95%), provide indirect light to trigger fruiting
Primordia Development
5-7 daysPins rapidly enlarge into small mushroom caps with developing stems and gills
Continue high humidity and fresh air exchange; mist substrate 2-3 times daily; maintain 55-60°F; provide 12 hours indirect light daily
Fruiting & Maturation
5-10 daysMushrooms reach full size with caps fully opened; button mushrooms appear white and closed, cremini are brown with partially opened caps, portobellos show fully opened caps with visible gills
Reduce misting frequency to prevent bacterial issues; continue air exchange; harvest before veil breaks to maintain shelf life
Post-Harvest & Secondary Flush
7-21 days before next flushAfter first harvest, substrate enters rest period; second and sometimes third flushes may occur
Reduce humidity to 80%, lower temperature to 50-55°F for 7-10 days to trigger next flush; re-hydrate substrate by soaking or misting heavily
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Common Pests
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Sterilize substrate thoroughly, maintain proper humidity (avoid excessive moisture), ensure good air circulation, use HEPA filtration, discard contaminated blocks
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Reduce humidity below 90%, increase air exchange, maintain temperature at 55-60°F, remove affected areas, improve ventilation patterns
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Avoid excess water on mushroom caps, reduce humidity spikes, improve air circulation, sterilize all equipment, maintain 60-65°F temperature
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and
Use fine mesh screens on air intake vents, maintain sealed growing environment, install yellow sticky traps, reduce standing water near growing area
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Use pressure cooker sterilization (15 PSI for 2.5 hours), maintain sterile technique during inoculation, use laminar flow hood if possible, discard contaminated substrate
Uses
Fresh cooking and sautéing
CulinaryButton and cremini mushrooms are versatile culinary staples, perfect for sautéing, roasting, grilling, or adding raw to salads. Their mild flavor pairs well with garlic, herbs, and butter. [source]
Nutritional supplementation
CulinaryRich in B vitamins (especially niacin and pantothenic acid), selenium, potassium, and antioxidants including ergothioneine. Button mushrooms contain naturally occurring vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. [source]
Immune system support
MedicinalMushrooms contain polysaccharides and beta-glucans that support immune function. Regular consumption may enhance natural killer cell activity and overall immune response. [source]
Home indoor gardening
HouseholdGrowing mushrooms indoors requires minimal space, no sunlight, and relatively short growing cycles, making it ideal for apartments, basements, or year-round production in any climate. [source]
Spent substrate composting
WildlifeAfter mushroom production ends, spent substrate can be added to garden compost as a nutrient-rich amendment, enriching soil for outdoor plants and reducing waste. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when caps are still relatively closed (for button mushrooms) or partially open (for cremini), just before the veil underneath breaks. Twist and pull the entire mushroom cluster from the base, or cut with a clean knife. Harvest in the morning when fresh. After first flush, allow 10-14 days rest before initiating second flush by re-hydrating substrate. Most blocks produce 2-4 flushes over 6-12 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Button mushrooms (white) and cremini mushrooms (brown) are actually the same species at different stages of maturity—cremini are simply harvested at a slightly older stage, and if left even longer, they become large portobello mushrooms with open gills.
- 🌱 Mushrooms can be exposed to UV light after fruiting to naturally increase their vitamin D content by up to 4,600 IU per 100g, rivaling many dietary sources of this essential vitamin.
- 🌱 A single mushroom spawn bag can produce 1-3 pounds of fresh mushrooms in less than a month, making home cultivation one of the fastest food-growing methods available.
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