Every mushroom growing kit should be removed from the postal box as soon as it arrives. The cardboard transit packaging traps heat and restricts airflow, which can cause the kit to overheat or start fruiting prematurely inside the box. This applies to every variety, whether you plan to start it today or store it for later.

Once unpacked, your next step depends on which variety you have and how long you need to store it before starting.

Not all kits store the same way. Ready growing kits (where the mushrooms are already developing) have a shorter storage window than kits that have not yet started fruiting. Here is a quick reference for every variety.

Ready growing kits have live mycelium inside them that is actively trying to produce mushrooms. At room temperature, this process continues, and the kit can start fruiting inside the packaging before you are ready.

The fridge slows this down. The cold temperature puts the mycelium into a dormant state without harming it. When you take the kit out and place it at room temperature, the mycelium "wakes up" and the growing process resumes as normal.

Do not freeze your kit. Freezing damages the mycelium and will kill it. A standard fridge (3 to 5 degrees) is perfect.

Do not mist, water, or spray your kit while it is in storage. The kit does not need moisture until you are ready to start the growing process. Adding water during storage can cause waterlogging and bacterial problems.

Lion's Mane, Pink Oyster, Yellow Oyster, White Oyster And Seasonal Oyster Kits such as Tarragon Oyster kits arrive with pre-cut holes in the packaging where the mushrooms will eventually grow through. During storage, these holes allow the compost to dry out, which can reduce the kit's performance when you start it.

The fix is simple: place a damp (not soaking wet) paper towel over each hole before putting the kit in the fridge. This maintains moisture around the openings without adding excess water to the compost. Check the paper towels every couple of days and re-dampen them if they have dried out.

For Shiitake, King Oyster, Nameko, and Reishi kits, keep the kit in its original wrapper during fridge storage. The wrapper protects the surface and maintains the right moisture level. Do not remove the wrapper until you are ready to start growing.

Chestnut and White mushroom kits have a much longer shelf life than the rest of the range because they are not "ready growing" in the same way. The compost is pre-spawned but the colonisation stage is still progressing slowly. This means they can be stored for 2 to 3 months at ambient temperature or in the fridge without any problem.

Keep them in a cool spot (a cupboard, utility room, or fridge) and do not add the topsoil or any water until you are ready to begin. The growing process only starts when you open the box, add the topsoil casing layer, and begin misting. Full setup instructions are in the Chestnut and White growing guide.

This longer shelf life makes Chestnut and White kits the best choice for gifts ordered well in advance.

If you know you will be away when the kit is due to arrive, there are a few options.

Ask someone to unbox it for you. They do not need to start the growing process. Just ask them to remove the kit from the postal box and put it in the fridge. That buys you 7 to 10 days from the point of delivery.

Time your order. If you are going on holiday, place your order for after you return rather than before you leave. Ready growing kits are dispatched quickly (same day if ordered before 2pm), so you do not need to order far in advance. Order the day you get back and the kit will arrive the next working day.

Let us know at checkout. If you are ordering a kit as a gift and need it to arrive on a specific date, tell us at checkout and we will adjust the dispatch date. This is especially useful for birthdays and Christmas where the timing matters. Our gift ordering guide covers this in more detail.

If your kit has been stored correctly (out of the postal box, in the fridge, within the recommended timeframe), it should perform normally when you start it. However, there are a few things to watch for.

Mushrooms already growing in the packaging. If the kit was left at room temperature too long or was not refrigerated, it may have started fruiting on its own. This is not harmful, but the mushrooms that grew in storage will likely be small, misshapen, or dried out. Remove them and start the kit normally. It should still produce a good first flush once conditions are right.

Strong or unpleasant smell. A healthy kit smells earthy and mushroomy. A sour, vinegary, or chemical smell suggests bacterial contamination, which can happen if the kit was stored in a warm, damp environment. If the smell is strong, take a photo and contact our support team before starting the kit.

Green, black, or blue patches. These indicate contamination. White or grey growth is almost always healthy mycelium, but green, black, or blue is not. Again, take a photo and contact support.

Dried out surface. If the compost looks pale and dry (particularly on kits with pre-cut holes that were stored without damp paper towels), the kit may need a little extra moisture when you start it. Follow the standard setup instructions and give it a few extra sprays on the first day. It should recover. Our misting guide covers rehydration in more detail.

Mushroom growing kits are popular gifts, but they are living products and need to be timed carefully. Here is the simplest approach.

For gifts needed within 7 to 10 days: Order any kit from the range. When it arrives, remove it from the postal box, place it in the fridge, and give it to the recipient within a week to 10 days. Let them know it is in the fridge and ready to start whenever they like.

For gifts needed further in advance: Choose a Chestnut or White kit, which can be stored for 2 to 3 months. These are also the most beginner-friendly varieties, making them a safe choice for someone who has not grown mushrooms before.

Avoid gift wrapping until the last possible moment. Wrapping a kit in paper or putting it in a sealed gift bag restricts airflow and can cause the kit to overheat. If you want to present it nicely, wrap it just before giving it and make sure the recipient unwraps it promptly.

For full gifting advice including how to request a specific dispatch date, see our gift ordering guide and gift storage guide.

Can I store a mushroom growing kit in the fridge?

Yes. The fridge is the best place to store a ready growing kit if you are not starting it immediately. The cold temperature slows the mycelium without harming it. Do not freeze the kit, as freezing will kill the mycelium. A standard fridge temperature of 3 to 5 degrees is ideal.

How long can I keep a mushroom kit before starting it?

Ready growing kits (Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Pink Oyster, Yellow Oyster, King Oyster, Black Pearl, White Oyster, Nameko, Reishi) can be stored in the fridge for 7 to 10 days. Chestnut and White kits have a longer shelf life of 2 to 3 months because their colonisation stage is still in progress. Outdoor log kits can be refrigerated for up to 3 months.

Should I water my kit while it is in storage?

No. Do not mist, spray, or add water to a kit that is in storage. The kit does not need moisture until you are ready to begin the growing process. Adding water during storage can cause waterlogging and encourage bacterial contamination.

My kit has started growing in the fridge. Is it ruined?

Not necessarily. Some kits are vigorous enough to produce small pins even at fridge temperature. Remove any mushrooms that have started growing, take the kit out of the fridge, set it up following the normal instructions, and resume misting. The kit should still produce a good crop once it is in the right conditions.

Can I leave a mushroom kit in the postal box overnight?

It is best to unbox it as soon as possible. The postal box traps heat and restricts airflow. If it arrives late in the evening, unbox it and place it in the fridge before bed.

Which kit is best for ordering as a gift well in advance?

Chestnut or White. Both have a 2 to 3 month shelf life and can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. They are also the most beginner-friendly varieties, making them a safe choice for someone who has not grown mushrooms before. For gifts needed within the next week or so, any variety in the range works as long as it goes straight into the fridge on arrival.

What happens if I store a ready growing kit for longer than 10 days?

The kit may still work, as growth may continue even at fridge temperatures. The mycelium uses up nutrients even in the fridge, just more slowly. After 10 days, you may find the kit is partially grown. If you have stored a kit for longer than recommended and it looks and smells healthy, it is worth trying. If anything looks off, contact our support team with a photo.