How to Make Lion’s Mane Liquid Culture Using Honey Water and Mason Jars

Before South Middle Mushrooms became a registered business, I was experimenting at home with small-scale Lion’s Mane cultivation. One of the most empowering steps in my journey was learning to make liquid culture—a living solution filled with active mycelium that can colonize substrate faster than spores or agar.

If you're ready to move from hobbyist to cultivator, this simple honey water recipe will get you going with minimal equipment.

What Is Liquid Culture?

Liquid culture (LC) is a nutrient-rich liquid used to propagate mycelium. It's fast, scalable, and allows you to inoculate multiple grain jars or grow bags with ease. Once you master LC, you'll never be short on fresh, vigorous Lion’s Mane mycelium.

Equipment & Ingredients:

• 500 mL mason jars with metal lids

• Syringe filter or micropore tape for gas exchange

• Self-healing injection port (optional)

• 1 tablespoon of raw honey (or light corn syrup)

• 500 mL distilled or filtered water

• Pressure cooker or Instant Pot

• Lion’s Mane agar wedge or LC syringe

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Lid: Drill a small hole in the lid. Insert a syringe filter or cover it with micropore tape. Add an injection port if you're using one.

2. Mix the Nutrient Solution: Stir 1 tablespoon of honey into 500 mL of distilled water until fully dissolved.

3. Fill the Jar: Pour the mixture into your mason jar, leaving 1–2 inches of headspace.

4. Sterilize: Place in a pressure cooker and sterilize at 15 PSI for 20 minutes. Let it cool completely—overnight if possible.

5. Inoculate: Use sterile technique to inject 1–2 mL of liquid culture or drop in a clean agar wedge from a colonized Lion’s Mane plate.

6. Incubate: Store at room temperature (21–23°C / 70–74°F). Shake the jar lightly every 2–3 days to distribute growth.

7. Ready to Use: In 7–14 days, the liquid should appear cloudy with visible strands of mycelium. If you see clumps or fluff, you’ve got healthy growth. If it's murky or smells bad, discard and start fresh.

Pro Tips from My Lab

• Always label your jar with the date and strain.

• Use a magnetic stir plate if you’re scaling up—mycelium loves movement.

• Practice sterile technique: wipe surfaces with alcohol, wear gloves, and flame-sterilize tools.

Liquid culture was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to scale up production, maintain genetic vigor, and work more efficiently. I still make small batches this way when testing new strains or prepping for seasonal runs.

If you're passionate about mushrooms like I am, there's nothing more satisfying than creating your own living culture from scratch.