McKennaii Magic Mushroom Grow Kit — FreshMushrooms®

McKennaii — a tribute to the godfather of modern mycology

The McKennaii strain first surfaced in the early 2000s in Dutch smartshops, shortly after the death of Terence McKenna in April 2000. McKenna was an ethnobotanist and philosopher who co-authored one of the first mainstream cultivation guides — Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide (1976) — and spent decades advocating for the study of psychoactive fungi. The strain was named in his honour.

Who actually developed the McKennaii remains unclear. One version of the story says it was bred from a spore print found among McKenna's personal collection after his passing. The more widely accepted account is that a cultivator in the Netherlands developed the strain and named it as a tribute. Either way, the McKennaii quickly became one of the most sought-after cubensis varieties in Europe — and it still is.

Appearance

McKennaii mushrooms are immediately recognisable by their dark colouring. The caps range from deep golden brown to near-chestnut, often with an irregular, slightly wavy shape that gives them a distinctive character. The stems are thick, off-white, and bruise noticeably blue when touched — a visual marker of their psilocybin content. Fruit bodies are medium to large and tend to grow in dense clusters. Compared to lighter-capped strains like Golden Teacher or B+, the McKennaii has a darker, more rugged appearance.

Growth characteristics

McKennaii colonises quickly and fruits with enthusiasm. It is sometimes described as an intermediate strain, but with a pre-colonised grow kit, the difficulty level drops significantly — the mycelium is already fully established and ready to produce. In a kit setting, McKennaii performs reliably and produces dense, heavy flushes. It is a good step up for growers who have already tried Golden Teacher or B+ and want something with more character.

What to expect from this kit

This FreshMushrooms® kit is fully colonised and ready to start straight out of the box — no soaking, no watering, no preparation. Place the kit in the grow bag, fold the bag as described in the instructions, and maintain a steady 23 °C. The first pins typically appear within 7 to 10 days, with a full first harvest following at around two weeks.

Most kits produce two flushes. The first delivers the largest yield, with a second flush following after a cold-water soak. Total yield ranges from roughly 150 to 300 g of fresh mushrooms, depending on conditions and care.

Growing tips

McKennaii performs best with consistent warmth — keep the temperature as close to 23 °C as possible. A heat mat with thermostat is recommended during cooler months. Avoid direct sunlight; indirect daylight or a simple desk lamp on a 12/12 cycle is enough. For detailed care instructions, see the FreshMushrooms® grow kit instructions.

What's in the box

• 1× 1200 ml grow box with fully colonised substrate