Lion's Mane Cultivation
Learn the specific substrate, humidity and airflow requirements for growing clean, well-formed Hericium fruiting bodies for the fresh market.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Lion's Mane Cultivation
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Cultivation & Production. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Lion's Mane Cultivation is dedicated to Hericium, a group of species that rewards precise growing with striking, high-value fruiting bodies. You will explore the main species and strains, formulate hardwood substrates with suitable supplements, and produce and incubate bags under clean conditions. The course examines how humidity, airflow, CO2 and light shape the characteristic cascading spines, and how to diagnose yellowing, pinkening, coral-like growth and other deformities that reduce saleability.
Chefs and fresh-market buyers increasingly ask for lion's mane, but its delicate tissue bruises easily and has a short shelf life, so quality depends on getting every stage right. This course suits growers who already produce oyster mushrooms or similar species and want to add a specialty line. The final project is a complete lion's mane production protocol for your facility, from substrate recipe and bag preparation to fruiting parameters, harvest timing and a packaging plan for fresh sales, reviewed by your professor.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in cultivation, useful in areas such as Gourmet mushroom production, Restaurant and food service supply, Fresh produce retail, Small-scale specialty farming.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Learn the specific substrate, humidity and airflow requirements for growing clean, well-formed Hericium fruiting bodies for the fresh market.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Hericium Species and Strains; Hardwood Substrate Recipes.
- Put them into practice: Bag Production and Incubation; Fruiting Triggers and Morphology.
- Apply everything to a real case: Troubleshooting Yellowing and Deformities; Harvest, Shelf Life and Sales.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish Hericium species and select strains for fresh-market production.
- Formulate supplemented hardwood substrates for lion's mane.
- Prepare, sterilise and inoculate production bags cleanly.
- Adjust fruiting conditions to correct common deformities.
- Harvest and pack lion's mane to protect shelf life.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Growers adding specialty species.
4.2Entry requirements
Some experience growing oyster mushrooms or a similar species is recommended. Access to a pressure cooker or other sterilisation method and a fruiting space is needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Specialty mushroom grower adding lion's mane to a product range
- Fruiting room technician on a gourmet farm
- Supplier of fresh lion's mane to restaurants
- Quality controller for a specialty mushroom producer
- Small farm owner diversifying production
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Hericium Species and Strains | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Hardwood Substrate Recipes | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Bag Production and Incubation | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Fruiting Triggers and Morphology | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Troubleshooting Yellowing and Deformities | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Harvest, Shelf Life and Sales | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Hericium erinaceus, coralloides and americanum
- Strain traits and sourcing
- Wild ecology and growth habit
- Hardwood sawdust and pellets
- Bran and other supplements
- Moisture and particle size
- Bag filling and sterilisation
- Inoculation under clean conditions
- Incubation timing and signs of readiness
- Cutting and opening bags
- Humidity, airflow and light
- Spine length and head formation
- Causes of yellowing and pinkening
- Coral growth and CO2 issues
- Bruising and handling damage
- Harvest timing and trimming
- Cooling and packaging
- Selling to chefs and fresh markets
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A complete lion's mane production protocol for the student's facility, from substrate recipe to harvest and fresh-market packaging.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your professor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through active participation in live sessions and module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the professor with practical feedback.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Cultivation at Fungaris coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The professor of each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Lion's Mane Cultivation?
Some experience growing oyster mushrooms or a similar species is recommended. Access to a pressure cooker or other sterilisation method and a fruiting space is needed.
How is Lion's Mane Cultivation taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through active participation in live sessions and module exercises. The final project is reviewed by the professor with practical feedback.
What is the final project?
A complete lion's mane production protocol for the student's facility, from substrate recipe to harvest and fresh-market packaging.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Lion's Mane Cultivation?
The natural next step is Diploma in Gourmet Mushroom Production.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Medicinal FungiLion's Mane Mushroom: Cultivation, Cooking and the EvidenceLion's mane is a striking edible mushroom with a growing research profile. Here is how to grow and cook it, and what the studies do and do not show.Read the article 
CultivationHow to Grow Shiitake on Logs: A Step-by-Step Outdoor GuideLog-grown shiitake takes patience, but a well-made stack of logs can fruit for several years. Here is how to do it step by step, from cutting wood to harvest.Read the article 
CultivationHow to Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home: Step-by-Step GuideOyster mushrooms are the most forgiving gourmet species to grow. This step-by-step guide takes you from straw and spawn to your first harvest, and on to a small farm.Read the article Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).