Pholiota adiposa

The Chestnut Mushroom, Pholiota adiposa, is a lesser-known but highly rewarding variety to grow at home. Relatively easy to grow, these chestnut mushrooms have great visual appeal with clusters of rich chestnut-brown caps flecked with gold scales. This striking mushroom originates from temperate hardwood forests across North America, Europe and Asia. We are so excited to offer this stunning variety for you to grow at home. 

In the kitchen, the Chestnut Mushroom stands out for its deep, woodsy flavour with nutty undertones and a firm, meaty texture that holds up beautifully in sautés and slow roasts. It is a real favourite in soups and stews, where it imparts a satisfying depth. Its visual beauty and compact form also make it a striking garnish when left whole. Unlike common brown or button mushrooms, chestnuts develop rich pigmentation and flavour when grown in cooler, more naturalistic conditions, giving them a "I was foraged" character even when cultivated at home.

The Livingseeds Chestnut Mushroom Growing System contains everything you need to give you the shortest path to success:

Pre-Inoculated Log

Humidity Sleeve

Wooden Sleeve Supports

Sterile Alcohol Swab

Fine Mist Spray Bottle

Handmade Ceramic Grow Plate

To begin growing with the Livingseeds Chestnut Mushroom System, position the log in a cool indoor area with indirect light and temperatures between 15 °C and 21 °C. Maintain humidity at 95–100% in the first week by misting frequently and enclosing the system in a humidity tent. After 14 to 21 days, small golden-brown pins will emerge. Continue misting daily, reducing humidity slightly to 88–95% to encourage fruit expansion. Harvest when caps are 5–7 cm wide and slightly flattened, before the gills fully open.

Ensure success by paying close attention to airflow and carbon dioxide levels, which must be kept low once pins form. Use a fan to gently move the air to provide a gentle breeze, helping to prevent deformities; it is important not to have the fan directly facing the system. Avoid direct sunlight or cold drafts. Chestnut Mushrooms are slower to fruit and less forgiving than the more common oyster varieties, but their growth habit makes them ideal for intermediate growers ready for a challenge.

To achieve ongoing harvests, stagger multiple Livingseeds Chestnut Mushroom Systems with a 10–14 day gap. While second flushes are uncommon, they can sometimes be encouraged by soaking the substrate block in cold water for 12–18 hours post-harvest, followed by a return to high-humidity conditions. However, a fresh system started in succession is the most reliable method for continual yield.

Harvest windows indoors are typically three weeks from activation, with each system producing one substantial cluster flush.