North Spore Lion’s Mane Grow Kit Review: My Honest Experience

Last Updated: March 2026

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

What’s in the Box

When I opened the box from North Spore, everything was neatly packed and clearly labeled. Inside was the fruiting block itself — a compact, fully colonized substrate bag weighing about 5 pounds. The mycelium had completely taken over the block, which is exactly what you want to see: dense, white growth with no signs of contamination.

Along with the block, there was a detailed instruction card with step-by-step photos, a small spray bottle for misting, and a humidity tent. North Spore also includes a QR code linking to video tutorials, which I found genuinely helpful for a first-timer. The packaging felt premium compared to budget kits I’ve tried — no crushed corners or questionable smells.

Setup Process (Step-by-Step)

Setting up the North Spore kit took me less than five minutes. Here’s exactly what I did:

First, I chose a spot on my kitchen counter away from direct sunlight but with decent indirect light. North Spore recommends 60–75°F, and my kitchen stays around 68°F, so it was perfect.

Next, I cut an X-shaped slit in the front of the bag, about 3 inches wide, following the marked line. The instructions say to cut through just the outer bag layer, leaving the substrate exposed. Then I set up the humidity tent over the block, misted the inside of the tent until droplets formed, and placed the whole setup on a plate to catch any moisture.

From there, the routine was simple: mist 2–3 times daily and fan briefly for fresh air exchange. I set phone reminders for morning, afternoon, and evening misting. The whole process felt approachable — no sterile technique, no pressure cooker, no grain jars. Just spray and wait.

My Day-by-Day Growth Timeline

Days 1–7: Patience and Pinning

For the first three days, nothing visible happened — just the white mycelium block sitting in its tent. By day 4, I noticed tiny bumps forming along the edge of the cut. These were primordia, the earliest stage of mushroom formation. By day 7, those bumps had grown into small, white, spiky clusters about the size of a quarter. I was genuinely excited watching them develop each morning.

Days 8–14: Explosive Growth

This is where things got fun. By day 10, the lion’s mane clusters were the size of tennis balls, with cascading white spines forming beautifully. I could literally see daily growth — each morning the mushrooms were noticeably bigger than the night before. The fruiting bodies developed that classic lion’s mane “waterfall” texture. By day 12, the largest cluster was about the size of a softball. I increased misting to 4 times daily because the humidity tent was drying out faster as the mushrooms grew.

Days 15–21+: Harvest Time

On day 16, I harvested my first flush. North Spore’s instructions say to harvest when the spines begin to elongate and before the edges turn slightly yellow. I used a sharp knife to cut the clusters at the base. The timing felt right — the mushrooms were firm, pure white, and smelled faintly sweet.

After harvesting, I soaked the block overnight in cold water (as instructed) to rehydrate for a potential second flush. More on that below.

Harvest Yield and Quality

My first flush produced 9.2 ounces of fresh lion’s mane from two main clusters. That’s well over half a pound, which exceeded my expectations for a $33 kit. For context, fresh lion’s mane sells for $12–20 per pound at farmers markets, so the kit essentially pays for itself in one harvest.

The quality was excellent — dense, firm texture with long cascading spines. I sliced one cluster and sautéed it in butter, and the flavor was incredible: sweet, slightly lobster-like, with a meaty texture that held up well to high heat. The second cluster I dried in a dehydrator for later use in tea.

I attempted a second flush and got about 3 ounces — roughly a third of the first harvest. North Spore says second flushes are possible but not guaranteed, which was honest. A third flush produced almost nothing, so I composted the block after that.

North Spore vs. Other Kits

I’ve tested four different lion’s mane grow kits over the past year, and North Spore consistently delivers the best results for beginners. Budget kits from Amazon run $18–25 but often arrive with contamination issues or produce underwhelming yields. North Spore’s organic certification, first-flush guarantee, and responsive customer support make the $8–10 premium worth it in my experience. That said, if you’re an experienced grower looking to save money, check out my full comparison of the best lion’s mane grow kits for other solid options at every price point.

Who Should Buy This Kit?

The North Spore kit is ideal for complete beginners who want a reliable first experience with mushroom growing. If you’ve never grown anything before — not even houseplants — this kit is forgiving enough to give you results. It’s also great for anyone who wants organic certification, which matters if you’re growing mushrooms for health benefits.

It’s probably not the best choice if you’re on a tight budget and just want to experiment, or if you’re an experienced cultivator who can fruit from grain spawn. For beginners, though, I genuinely think this is the safest bet on the market right now. If you want to learn the full process from start to finish, check out my complete beginner’s guide to growing lion’s mane.

Not sure how much lion’s mane to take if you’re growing it for supplementation? My lion’s mane dosage guide covers research-backed amounts for different forms.

If your kit stalls or you run into issues, our lion’s mane troubleshooting guide covers the seven most common problems. And if you’re considering upgrading to bulk growing, compare your options in our fruiting block vs grow kit comparison.

Final Verdict

The North Spore Lion’s Mane Spray & Grow Kit earns a 4.5 out of 5 from me. It’s not perfect — I wish the price were lower and the second flush yields were better — but for a first-time grower, it delivers exactly what it promises. Beautiful mushrooms, minimal effort, and genuine fun watching something grow in your kitchen.

If you’re on the fence, I’d say go for it. The worst case is you get a half-pound of the freshest lion’s mane you’ve ever eaten. The best case is you discover a new hobby.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the North Spore kit take to fruit?

Most growers see first pins within 5–7 days of setup and can harvest their first flush between days 14–21. My kit was ready to harvest on day 16. Temperature and humidity are the biggest factors — keeping the kit between 60–75°F with consistent misting will give you the fastest results.

Can you get a second flush from North Spore?

Yes, second flushes are possible but not guaranteed. After your first harvest, soak the block in cold water for 6–12 hours, then resume misting. I got about 3 ounces from my second flush — roughly a third of my first harvest. Some growers report even getting a small third flush, but I’d consider anything beyond the first flush to be a bonus.

Where can I buy North Spore grow kits?

The best place to buy is directly from North Spore’s website, where they regularly run promotions and offer bundle deals. They also sell on Amazon, but the direct website typically has fresher inventory and better customer support access. North Spore ships from Maine and offers free shipping on orders over $50.

Related: Check out our best lion’s mane supplements roundup.