Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus
A striking white, toothed mushroom with a seafood-like taste, valued both in the kitchen and as a functional mushroom.
Growing requirements at a glance
- Scientific name
- Hericium erinaceus
- Difficulty
- Beginner to intermediate
- Colonisation temp
- 20 to 26°C
- Fruiting temp
- 18 to 24°C
- Substrate
- Supplemented hardwood sawdust
- Uses
- Culinary and functional
## Overview Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) grows as a soft white clump of cascading spines rather than a capped mushroom. It is prized for a mild, seafood-like flavour and is one of the most popular functional mushrooms. ## Growing conditions Colonise supplemented hardwood sawdust, such as Masters Mix, at 20 to 26°C, then fruit at about 18 to 24°C. It likes very high humidity near 90 to 95% and gentle fresh air. Harvest while it is still white and firm, before the spines grow long and it starts to yellow. ## Uses In the kitchen it is often pan-seared as a crab or chicken substitute. It is also studied for compounds linked to nerve and cognitive support in laboratory research, though evidence in people is still developing. Treat it as a nutritious food rather than a treatment. ## Grower tips It fruits readily and even tolerates fruiting from the top of a bag. Keep humidity high and airflow gentle for the fullest clumps.
