How to Grow Button Mushroom

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Button Mushroom

Agaricus bisporus

vegetable

Button mushrooms are the most widely cultivated mushroom species worldwide, characterized by small, round white or brown caps with a firm texture. They are grown on composted substrates in controlled indoor environments rather than traditional soil. These fungi are prized for their mild flavor, versatility in cooking, and nutritional value.

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Example Button Mushroom timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Button Mushroom
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Button Mushroom
Around May 22

≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Button Mushroom dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: No direct sunlight required; indirect light or darkness preferred; artificial lighting at 100-200 lux is adequate

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Water: High humidity essential (85-95%); substrate should be moist but not waterlogged; misting 2-3 times daily during fruiting stage

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Spacing: 3-4 inches between mushroom clusters inches

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Days to maturity: 35-42 days from inoculation to first harvest

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Planting depth: Mushroom spawn inoculated 2-3 inches deep into prepared substrate

Soil

Type: Composted mushroom substrate (mixture of straw, horse manure, gypsum, and other organic materials)

pH: 7.0-7.5

Amendments:

Well-aged horse manure Straw or hay Gypsum Lime Peat moss

Growing Zones

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Grown indoors year-round in controlled environments; temperature is more critical than geographic location

indoor

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Growth Stages

Substrate Preparation

14-21 days

Raw materials (straw, manure, gypsum) are composted in piles, turned regularly, and pasteurized to eliminate competing organisms.

Maintain proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (about 25:1); monitor temperature during composting (reaches 160-180°F); pasteurize substrate at 160-170°F for 1-2 hours

Spawn Run (Colonization)

10-14 days

Mushroom spawn (mycelium-inoculated grain) is mixed into the cooled substrate; white mycelium spreads throughout the medium

Maintain temperature at 55-65°F; keep humidity at 85-90%; ensure good air circulation; avoid disturbance during colonization

Casing Layer Application

3-5 days

A 1.5-2 inch layer of casing soil (peat moss and chalk mixture) is added over colonized substrate to trigger fruiting

Apply casing when substrate is fully colonized (white); water casing layer thoroughly; reduce temperature to 55-60°F

Primordia & Pin Formation

5-7 days

Small pin-like structures begin forming on the casing layer surface; these develop into mushroom buttons

Increase humidity to 90-95%; mist 2-3 times daily; increase fresh air exchange to 5-10 air changes per hour; maintain temperature at 55-60°F

Fruiting & Harvest

7-10 days per flush (3-4 flushes possible)

Buttons develop into mature mushrooms with rounded white or brown caps; ready for harvest when veil breaks (for button mushrooms, harvest before veil separation)

Maintain 85-90% humidity; temperature 55-60°F; harvest by twisting at base; allow second and third flushes after 10-14 day breaks

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Not applicable - grown in isolated indoor substrate

Avoid planting near:

Not applicable - grown in controlled substrate away from other plants

Common Pests

Maintain strict sanitation; use sticky traps; ensure proper ventilation and humidity control; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation occurs
and (Trichoderma, Bacillus)
Sterilize or pasteurize substrate properly; maintain proper humidity and temperature; ensure adequate air circulation; remove infected substrate areas immediately
Proper pasteurization of substrate; maintain hygiene protocols; ensure air and water are properly filtered; use sterile water for misting
Maintain cleanliness of growing environment; use diatomaceous earth around growing area; ensure good ventilation; seal any cracks in growing space

Uses

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Cooking & Fresh Consumption

Culinary

Button mushrooms are the most versatile culinary mushroom, suitable for sautéing, grilling, soups, stews, salads, and raw consumption. Their mild, slightly nutty flavor makes them a staple in cuisines worldwide. [source]

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Nutritional & Health Benefits

Medicinal

Rich in B vitamins (especially riboflavin and niacin), selenium, potassium, and antioxidants. Contains compounds like ergothioneine and beta-glucans that support immune function and may have anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Food Preservation & Processing

Household

Button mushrooms can be dried, frozen, canned, or preserved in oil for extended storage. Dried mushrooms concentrate flavor and nutrients, making them valuable for year-round use. [source]

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Bioactive Compound Research

Medicinal

Button mushrooms contain polysaccharides and phenolic compounds with potential immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties under scientific investigation. [source]

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Substrate Byproduct Composting

Wildlife

Spent mushroom substrate is nutrient-rich and valuable for garden composting and soil amendment, creating a circular agricultural system. [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 button mushrooms just before or as the veil begins to separate from the stem by gently twisting at the base; optimal size is 1.5-2 inches diameter; harvest in the morning when moisture is highest; allow 10-14 days between flushes; typically produce 3-4 flushes per substrate cycle; yield approximately 1-1.5 pounds per square foot per flush

Fun Facts

🌱 Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are the same species as cremini and portobello mushrooms—the difference is simply harvest timing and maturity; cremini are harvested earlier with brown caps, and portobellos are fully mature with opened caps
🌱 China is by far the world's largest button mushroom producer, cultivating over 12 million tons annually, more than all other countries combined
🌱 Button mushrooms do not require sunlight to grow and can be cultivated in basements, caves, or specially designed indoor facilities, making them one of the few crops that can be grown commercially in urban underground spaces

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost

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