Growing mushrooms in a greenhouse is a rewarding and surprisingly simple project, especially when you’re already passionate about sustainable, year-round gardening. With the proper setup, your Planta Greenhouse can become a year-round haven for delicious fungi like oyster, shiitake, and portobello mushrooms.
In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know to grow mushrooms in a greenhouse—from choosing the right varieties to maintaining the perfect growing conditions.
Step-by-Step: How to Grow Mushrooms in Your Greenhouse
1. Pick Your Mushroom Variety
Start with beginner-friendly species like oyster or lion’s mane. These grow quickly and don’t require complex substrates or precise temperatures like truffles or morels.
- Oyster mushrooms – Fast-growing and forgiving.
- Shiitake mushrooms – Rich in flavor; great for log cultivation.
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Lion’s mane – Unique texture and excellent for cooking or medicinal use.
Each variety has slightly different needs, so check growing requirements before you begin.
2. Choose a Growing Medium
Instead of soil, mushrooms grow in organic materials like straw, sawdust, or hardwood logs. Place them in plastic tubs, grow bags, or vertical racks to conserve greenhouse floor space. Here are some of the media for different types of mushrooms:
- Hardwood logs or sawdust (for shiitake mushrooms)
- Straw (for oyster mushrooms)
- Supplemented hardwood substrate (for lion’s mane)
3. Create the Right Environment
Mushrooms love humidity levels between 80–95% and temperatures from 55–75°F (13–24°C). Planta’s automated venting systems and optional solar-powered fans allow you to maintain the right balance without constant adjustments.
Ventilation is key: use roof vents, louvered side vents, or small fans to ensure fresh air circulation without drying out the space. This prevents mold, encourages even humidity, and keeps your mushroom crops healthy and productive.
4. Shading and Light Control
Since mushrooms need minimal light, you can grow them under benches, shaded corners, or light-blocking curtains. Planta Greenhouses’ modular interior makes creating dedicated zones for different crops easy.
Keep the area humid—install misters or use trays of water nearby. If you're in a dry climate or using your greenhouse for multiple crops, consider setting up a small grow tent within the greenhouse for more control.
5. Monitor and Maintain
Use a hygrometer and small circulating fans to maintain air quality and prevent mold. Keep the space clean and watch for pests like fungus gnats. Avoid chemical sprays—natural controls like nematodes or predatory mites are greenhouse-safe and effective.
Bonus Tips for Success
- Rotate your mushroom beds to ensure continuous harvests.
- Clean and sterilize tools and surfaces to prevent mold or contamination.
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Harvest mushrooms when caps begin to open—don’t wait too long or flavor/texture may suffer.
Disease Prevention in the Greenhouse
When it comes to mushroom growing, preventing diseases is always easier than trying to cure them. Maintaining a clean and well-managed greenhouse environment is your first and best line of defense.
- Keep it Clean (Sanitation): Regularly clean your greenhouse, removing decaying plant matter and sterilizing substrates before introducing mushroom spawn.
- Let the Air Flow (Proper Ventilation): Ensure good air circulation to prevent harmful molds and bacteria from thriving.
- Don't Overdo the Water (Avoid Overwatering): Maintain humidity without soaking the substrate; ensure proper drainage.
- Start with the Best (Use Healthy Spawn): Source mushroom spawn from reputable suppliers to avoid diseases.
- Isolate and Conquer (Isolate Affected Cultures): Immediately separate diseased cultures from healthy ones and dispose of contaminated materials.
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Consider Natural Helpers (Biological Controls): Use beneficial microorganisms to suppress harmful fungi and bacteria.
Why Grow Mushrooms in a Greenhouse?
Unlike typical garden plants, mushrooms thrive in dark, humid, and cooler environments. While that might sound the opposite of traditional greenhouse conditions, Planta Greenhouses' smart European engineering and climate control features make it easy to create ideal microclimates within your structure.
With adjustable vents, reliable insulation, and strong, snow-load-tested frames, you can turn a corner of your greenhouse into a fungi-friendly zone—no matter your region across Canada or the U.S. This not only adds variety to your harvest but also helps you maximize your space and grow food year-round.
Why Choose Planta Greenhouses?
Planta Greenhouses are built for versatility—from heavy snow loads to hot summer days. Strong insulation, venting options, and modular layouts make it easy to section off a shady corner for mushroom growing. Check out our customer stories who produce everything from tomatoes to tropicals, and mushrooms are a natural extension.
The Planta Greenhouse Advantage: Durable Design Meets Indoor Farming Innovation
Planta Greenhouses were built to tackle the harshest North American climates, but their strength also offers unmatched versatility inside. Whether growing heirloom tomatoes in Zone 4 or mushrooms in a winter-ready setup in Alaska, Planta Greenhouse gives you control, protection, and durability like no other.
With a high-ticket investment like a greenhouse, versatility matters. Adding mushroom cultivation means you’re getting even more out of your space—and transforming your garden into a year-round source of nourishment, sustainability, and creativity.
👉 Explore our greenhouse models or browse accessories to build your perfect fungi-friendly zone today.
Ready to Grow?
Growing mushrooms in your greenhouse brings flavor, sustainability, and a new layer of excitement to your gardening journey. Whether you’re a home grower or hobbyist, using your greenhouse space is a fulfilling way, especially during the cooler months.
Keep reading to learn more about the different vegetables you can grow in the greenhouse.