The Aussie Mushroom Supplies Lion's Mane Mushroom Grow Kit is a fully colonised, ready-to-fruit block grown on their farm in Victoria. Cut it open, give it humidity and fresh air, and it produces a cluster of white, shaggy lion's mane mushrooms for the kitchen. No substrate to mix and nothing to sterilise.
Tested in our own grow box
We're running this exact kit in the Lykyn Smart Mushroom Grow Box right now. It went straight from the fridge into the box after nearly seven weeks in cold storage. White mycelium regrew across the cut on day 4, the first pins appeared on day 5, and by day 7 a large, compact white cluster was pushing out along the cut. That's well ahead of the other lion's mane block we've tested, which sat quiet for about ten days before pinning.
See the whole run day by day, with photos and the box's humidity and temperature readings: Lion's Mane Grow Kit Test: Pins in 5 Days in an Automated Grow Box.
Two ways to grow it
In a Lykyn Grow Box: three steps, then hands off
- Take the block out of the kit's cardboard box.
- Cut an X in the bag and set it in the Lykyn.
- Select Lion's Mane in the app.
That's it. The box runs humidity, fresh air and light on the lion's mane profile around the clock. No misting and no guessing whether the room is too dry. The only job is topping up the water reservoir when the app asks. It's how we grew ours.
In the kit's own box: daily care
Pop out the perforated window on the front of the box and cut an X in the bag the same size as the hole, using a knife wiped with isopropyl alcohol. Mist the outside of the plastic flaps 2–3 times a day with filtered or cooled boiled water, never the block itself. Keep it at a steady 16–24°C, with enough light to read a book by and plenty of fresh air. Not in a cupboard. Most of the problems below come down to humidity or airflow slipping between mistings.
If something looks off (growing in the kit's box)
Yellow tips: once the mushroom starts forming, stop spraying it directly. Direct misting in a dry room turns the tips yellow.
Growth stalls: usually a sudden jump in temperature or drop in humidity. Move it somewhere steadier.
Growing under the plastic instead of out of the X: the room is too dry, so the mushroom is chasing the moisture trapped in the bag. Raise the humidity around the cut.
Long stems, small heads: not enough fresh air. Get it out of enclosed spaces.
In the kitchen
Lion's mane has a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a soft, stringy texture. Tear it into pieces and pan-fry in butter until golden. Many cooks use it like crab or lobster meat.
| Species | Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) |
| Format | Fully colonised, ready-to-fruit block in a box with a fruiting window |
| Grown by | Aussie Mushroom Supplies, Carrum Downs VIC |
| Humidity | Above 70–80% |
| Fruiting temperature | 16–24°C |
| Yield | About 300–700 g per harvest, depending on conditions (manufacturer figure) |
| Repeat harvests | Further flushes after a 2–3 week rest and an overnight soak |
| Packed size | 12 × 12 × 25 cm, approx. 2.5 kg |
| Storage | Refrigerate until you're ready to start it |
| Fits | Lykyn Smart Mushroom Grow Box (blocks up to 2.7 kg) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it fit in the Lykyn Grow Box?
Yes. Take it out of the cardboard box and it sits in the Lykyn with room to spare. It's the block we're running in our own unit.
Do I need any experience?
No. The block is already fully colonised. In a Lykyn Grow Box you cut the bag, pick Lion's Mane in the app and the box does the rest. In the kit's own box, your job is to keep the cut humid with fresh air around it.
How long does it keep before I start it?
Keep it in the fridge until you're ready. Ours had been in the fridge for nearly seven weeks and still pinned on day 5 once started.
When do I harvest?
When the spines are about 3–5 mm long and the cluster is still firm and white. Twist the whole cluster off the block and clear away any leftover bits so nothing spoils. After harvest, rest the block for 2–3 weeks, and if it feels light, soak the bag overnight in cold water. Drain it, turn it so the old X faces the back of the box, cut a new X through the window and start misting again. Later flushes take a little longer.
Do I need anything else?
In a Lykyn Grow Box, just a clean knife to cut the bag. Growing in the kit's own box, you'll also need a spray bottle and filtered or cooled boiled water.