How to Grow Mushrooms in Hot Weather (Without Ruining Your Harvest)
Learn how to grow gourmet mushrooms in warm or hot climates without losing your harvest. Tips for faster colonization, avoiding contamination, and dealing with hollow stems or weak fruiting.
7/3/20251 min read
Growing mushrooms in warm weather can be tricky — but not impossible. If you're in a hot region or it’s summertime, you’ll want to watch for faster growth, increased contamination risk, and physical changes in your mushrooms. Here’s what to expect and how to adapt.
1. Faster Colonization Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Warm temps speed up colonization.
Why this can lead to poor structure or incomplete internal development.
Tips: Let jars or bags consolidate longer, don’t rush fruiting.
2. Higher Risk of Contamination
Hot = more bacteria and mold.
Important to tighten your sterile technique.
If not using sterile gear: stick to clean pasteurization and limit spawn exposure.
3. Hollow Stems, Smaller Fruits
Why mushrooms grown in hot temps sometimes have hollow or spongy stems.
Less water retention, faster evaporation.
Fixes: misting, surface casing layers, fruiting at cooler times of day.
4. Tips for Fruiting in the Heat
Use blackout tubs or shade to cool fruiting area.
Mist often but don’t drench.
If using bags, elevate them for airflow.
5. Best Mushroom Types for Warm Weather
Pink Oysters (great for summer)
King Oysters (can tolerate more than others)
Lion’s Mane struggles more — keep it cooler
Want more in-depth guides and recipes? Grab my Mushroom Substrate & Culture Ebook to learn all about agar, LC, and substrate mixes that can boost your yield even in tough conditions.