How to grow oyster mushrooms from a kit
Pick the oyster that matches your room temperature, keep the block moist with a spray bottle, give it fresh air and some light, and harvest while the cap edge still curves under. North Spore rates blue, Italian, golden, pink and snow oyster all as beginner.
Why oysters are the usual first pick
North Spore's booklet rates all five oyster types here as beginner difficulty, and it says oyster and lion's mane are the easiest species to grow from its blocks. See the oyster mushroom grow kits page for prices and each seller's stated figures.
This page covers how to grow one once you have it. The general method is in how to grow mushrooms at home.
Which oyster to choose
The numbers below are from North Spore's fruiting block booklet and describe its blocks. Temperature is the deciding factor, so match the species to the room you have.
| Variety | Fruiting temperature | Growth | Crops | Notes from the booklet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue oyster | 55 to 75°F | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 | Long stems and small caps when CO2 is high. Cooler temperatures and more light give a bluer cap. |
| Italian oyster | 65 to 75°F | 1 to 1.5 weeks | 1 to 2 | None given beyond the numbers. |
| Golden oyster | 65 to 80°F | 1 to 1.5 weeks | 2 | Will not grow below 65°F. Best in summer. Fragile. |
| Pink oyster | 70 to 80°F | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 | Harvest slightly young, because it spoils quickly. |
| Snow oyster | 45 to 65°F | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 | Brittle caps. Best in winter. |
If your home sits around 70°F, pink or golden oyster fits. If you keep it cool, blue or snow oyster is the better match. Our fruiting conditions cheat sheet adds the humidity and CO2 numbers.
Set up and care for an oyster kit
For a boxed Spray & Grow kit:
- Keep the block in its bag.
- Cut an X in the plastic.
- Spray 5 to 10 times a session.
- Keep it somewhere with dappled light and gentle air movement, not in a closet.
North Spore says oyster mycelium can form a thick, leathery mat, and that the white growth is usually mycelium. Blue oyster may show yellow-orange droplets, pink oyster can look rosy, and golden oyster is thick and white.
Fresh air matters. North Spore says leggy or stringy mushrooms need more airflow, and its booklet says high CO2 causes long stems and small caps.
Harvest and go again
Pick oysters right before the caps flatten, while the edge is still slightly curved under. North Spore says mushrooms picked then store better. Our guide to when to harvest oyster mushrooms has the signs for each color.
For a second flush, keep spraying and wait for new pins. North Spore's guide says to expect them in 2 to 3 weeks. If the block dries out, soak it cut side down for about 20 minutes, drain it, and spray 2 to 3 times a day. See troubleshooting if pins appear and then stop.
Want to cook what you grow? See oyster mushroom recipes.
Back to How to grow mushrooms at home
Common questions
Which oyster mushroom is easiest to grow?
North Spore's booklet rates blue, Italian, golden, pink and snow oyster all as beginner. Temperature decides which suits you. Blue oyster is listed at 55 to 75°F, while golden oyster will not grow below 65°F.
Why are my oyster mushrooms long and skinny?
North Spore says leggy or stringy mushrooms need more airflow, and its booklet says high CO2 gives long stems and small caps. Move the kit somewhere with more fresh air.
How many harvests will an oyster kit give?
North Spore's booklet lists 2 to 3 crops for blue oyster, 2 for golden and pink, and 1 to 2 for Italian and snow oyster. The seller guarantees only the first flush, and later flushes are usually smaller.
What temperature do oyster mushrooms fruit at?
From the booklet: snow oyster 45 to 65°F, blue oyster 55 to 75°F, Italian oyster 65 to 75°F, golden oyster 65 to 80°F and pink oyster 70 to 80°F.
Sources
- Fruiting Block Kit Instruction Booklet (PDF), North Spore. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Spray & Grow Kit FAQ, North Spore. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Using a Spray & Grow Kit, North Spore. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Weird looking mushrooms, North Spore help center. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Fruiting Block Kits FAQ, North Spore. Checked November 11, 2026.
How this page is checked
Cedrick Reese built this page from North Spore's fruiting block booklet and Spray & Grow instructions. The temperature, speed and crop figures in the table are the booklet's, copied as written, and they describe North Spore's blocks. We have not run an oyster grow for this page. Other sellers publish different ranges, so check the sheet that came with your kit.