What is the best temperature to grow magic mushrooms?
Publicado de: Growing & Cultivation

What is the best mushroom growing temperature? Whether you are using a ready-to-grow magic mushroom grow kit or building your own setup, temperature is the single most important factor for a successful harvest. In this guide, we explain the ideal mushroom growing temperature for every phase — in both Celsius and Fahrenheit — so you always know exactly what to aim for.
In short: temperature controls how fast your mycelium grows and how well your mushrooms fruit. Get the mushroom growing temperature right and you will see healthy flushes. Get it wrong and you risk slow growth, contamination, or no mushrooms at all.
Quick answer: aim for 23°C / 73°F during fruiting and 26°C / 79°F during incubation. Never go below 20°C / 68°F.
Tools You Need to Control Mushroom Growing Temperature
Before you start, make sure you have the right tools. Without accurate temperature control, even the best grow kit can fail. Below are the three items we recommend for every grower.
| Tool | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Heating mat | Keeps your mushroom growing temperature stable at 23°C / 73°F in cooler rooms. In winter, this is almost essential in most homes. Place it underneath your grow kit — never on top. |
| Thermo hygrometer | Measures both temperature and humidity at the same time. This is the easiest way to monitor your mushroom growing temperature accurately at a glance. |
| Magic mushroom grow kit | A fully colonised substrate — all you need to add is the right temperature, water, and fresh air. The fastest route to a first harvest. |
Best Mushroom Growing Temperature for Grow Kits
If you are using a ready-to-grow magic mushroom grow kit, aim for a steady temperature of 23°C (73°F). This is the sweet spot where Psilocybe cubensis grows strong, pins well, and gives the best yield.
In addition, keep the mushroom growing temperature as stable as possible throughout the day. Mycelium does not like sudden changes — even a small drop at night can delay pinning and reduce your harvest. Most cubensis strains grow comfortably between 20°C and 27°C (68–81°F), but 23°C / 73°F is always the target. Never let the temperature fall below 20°C / 68°F.
Tip: place your thermo hygrometer directly next to your grow kit. Avoid placing your kit near windows, radiators, or doors where the temperature changes during the day.
Mushroom Growing Temperature by Phase
Magic mushroom cultivation has two main phases. Each phase needs a different mushroom growing temperature. Understanding the difference is one of the most important things a grower can learn.
Phase 1 — Incubation (Colonization)
During incubation, the mycelium (the white, thread-like network) spreads through the substrate. This phase needs warmth. However, be careful — temperatures above 28°C / 82°F increase the risk of contamination from bacteria and mould. Therefore, store your kit in a dark place and monitor the temperature daily with a thermo hygrometer.
Phase 2 — Fruiting
During fruiting, the mycelium forms mushroom pins and develops into full mushrooms. A small drop in temperature compared to incubation helps trigger this process. Consequently, moving from 26°C / 79°F down to 23°C / 73°F gives your mycelium the signal it needs to start fruiting. Never let the temperature fall below 20°C / 68°F during fruiting — this will stop growth entirely.
| Incubation (colonization) | 21–27°C / 70–81°F — optimal around 26°C / 79°F. Store in a dark place. |
| Fruiting | 20–27°C / 68–81°F — optimal around 23°C / 73°F. Never below 20°C / 68°F. |
| Humidity | Above 90% relative humidity during fruiting for best results. |
| Light | Indirect or ambient room light is fine. Darkness does not harm growth. |
⚠️ Important: temperatures above 28°C / 82°F encourage harmful bacteria and mould. Temperatures below 20°C / 68°F will stall fruiting and may prevent mushrooms from forming. Always keep your mushroom growing temperature within the safe range shown in this guide.
Mushroom Growing Temperature Chart — Celsius and Fahrenheit
Use this mushroom growing temperature chart as a quick reference during your grow. It covers every phase and shows both Celsius and Fahrenheit so you can use whichever you prefer. In addition, the optimal target temperature is highlighted in green for each phase.
| Phase | Minimum | Maximum | Optimal (target) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incubation — all setups | 21°C / 70°F | 27°C / 81°F | 26°C / 79°F |
| Fruiting — grow kit | 20°C / 68°F | 27°C / 81°F | 23°C / 73°F |
| Fruiting — PF-tek | 20°C / 68°F | 25°C / 77°F | 23°C / 73°F |
| ⚠️ Too hot | Above 28°C / 82°F — contamination risk increases significantly | ||
| ⚠️ Too cold | Below 20°C / 68°F — growth stalls, pins may not form | ||
Need a heating mat or thermometer? Browse our grow accessories →
Do Different Strains Need a Different Mushroom Growing Temperature?
In general, no. Most Psilocybe cubensis strains — including Golden Teacher, McKennaii, and B+ — grow well at the same mushroom growing temperature of 23°C / 73°F during fruiting. Furthermore, the same incubation temperature of 26°C / 79°F applies to almost all cubensis varieties.
Some strains, such as B+, are known to tolerate slightly cooler conditions. However, in practice, keeping your mushroom growing temperature at 23°C / 73°F works reliably for all cubensis strains in our shop. You can find strain-specific notes on each product page — scroll down to the extended information section.
How to Keep the Mushroom Growing Temperature Stable
Stable temperature is more important than the exact number. A kit kept steadily at 22°C / 72°F will outperform one that jumps between 20°C and 26°C throughout the day. Below are the most effective ways to maintain a consistent mushroom growing temperature.
Use a Heating Mat
A heating mat placed underneath your grow kit gently raises the substrate temperature in cooler rooms. In winter especially, a heating mat is almost essential. Place it under the kit — never wrap it around the sides, as this can create hot spots that damage the mycelium.
Monitor with a Thermo Hygrometer
A thermo hygrometer shows you both temperature and humidity in one display. Check it every day, especially in the first week. In addition, an external probe model lets you place the sensor inside your growing area while you read the display from outside — so you never need to open the space just to check the numbers.
Choose the Right Location
Winter tip: in most European homes, a heating mat is needed from October to April. In summer, keep your kit away from south-facing windows to prevent overheating above 27°C / 81°F.
Mushroom Growing Temperature for PF-Tek
If you are making your own PF-tek cakes, the process involves a longer incubation phase before fruiting. Furthermore, the substrate is usually in glass jars, which lose heat faster than a grow kit bag. Therefore, temperature control is even more important with PF-tek than with a standard grow kit.
PF-Tek Temperature Steps
Related Guides for Growers
Ready to start growing? Browse our magic mushroom grow kits and find the perfect strain for your setup.

February 14, 2026