Botanical illustration of Cordyceps
🎨 AI-generated botanical illustration

🌱 Cordyceps

Cordyceps militaris
mushrooms entomopathogenic fungus (cultivated on grain substrate)
☀️ Sun
indirect light, specific photoperiod
💧 Water
controlled humidity 70-85%
🗺️ Zones
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🧪 Soil pH
5.5-6.5 (substrate)
🪴 Soil Type
Well-drained
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained

🤝 Companions (4)

🤝 Reishi
Both medicinal mushrooms; grown on separate logs in same humidity environment
🤝 none—grown in sterile indoor culture
Traditionally parasitizes insects; commercial cultivation uses sterile grain/rice substrates indoors. Requires very specific temperature and light cycling for fruiting. Not a companion plant but a valuable medicinal crop.
🤝 oak trees (for wild cultivation)
Cordyceps parasitizes specific insects that live in oak leaf litter
🤝 shade-loving woodland plants (ferns, hostas)
Mushroom cultivation benefits from the humid microclimate under shade plants

⚠️ Keep Apart (1)

⚠️ other fungi competing for substrate
Growth inhibition or competition

💊 Medicinal Uses

Medicinal Properties

  • Athletic performance, energy, libido, respiratory health, anti-aging, kidney support

📝 Growing Notes

Traditionally parasitizes insects; commercial cultivation uses sterile grain/rice substrates indoors. Requires very specific temperature and light cycling for fruiting. Not a companion plant but a valuable medicinal crop.

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