How to Grow Shiitake in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
A premium culinary mushroom grown on hardwood logs or supplemented sawdust blocks, with log-grown caps having the best flavour. Inoculate fresh-cut hardwood with dowel spawn; logs take 6 to 12 months for the first flush but then crop for several years, while sawdust blocks fruit in 8 to 12 weeks.
When to plant shiitake in New Zealand
Timing changes across the country, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
Best shiitake varieties for NZ
- Warm Weather Strain, Fruits across milder conditions, good for most NZ gardens. Suits logs and sawdust blocks. (Forest Fungi, specialist mushroom suppliers)
- Cold Weather Strain, Selected to fruit in cooler conditions, handy for southern and winter growing. (Forest Fungi, specialist suppliers)
How to grow shiitake
- Sow seed around 0cm deep.
- Position: a shaded spot.
- Ready to harvest in around 60 days.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Slugs (outdoor logs), Contamination, Trichoderma. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
🌱 Plant Shiitake in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant shiitake in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Northland, Auckland) sow in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy shiitake seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Forest Fungi, specialist mushroom suppliers.