Shiitake is a perennial grown for the harvest, ready about 180 days after sowing. Notably, it stands up to deer.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
3.5-6
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
180
Score Shiitake on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether shiitake actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score shiitake against your land's real conditions.
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What Shiitake is
Shiitake grows as a perennial and reaches around 6 inches at maturity. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Shiitake
Shiitake is ready to harvest about 180 days after planting. Shiitake does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 3.5 to 6, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 180 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
3.5 - 6
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
180 days
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
0.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
180+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant shiitake in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Shiitake prefers pH 3.5 to 6 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at maturity
Shiitake is ready about 180 days after sowing (University Extension production guides). Watch for cultivar-specific ripeness cues and pick at peak.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — shiitake isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Shiitake isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Shiitake thrives
Whether shiitake thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Shiitake will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether shiitake actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Shiitake in my zone?
Zone data for shiitake is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
How long does Shiitake take to grow?
Shiitake is ready to harvest about 180 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Shiitake?
Most growers plant shiitake after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 180-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Shiitake need?
Shiitake is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Shiitake need?
Shiitake prefers soil pH 3.5 to 6, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Shiitake attract pollinators?
Shiitake isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Shiitake safe for pets?
Shiitake is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.