MushieHow to make a spore print
3 min read · Updated 2026-10-22
Cut the cap off a mushroom, place it gills-down on half white and half dark paper, cover it with a glass and leave it for 2 to 12 hours. The colour of the powder left behind is the spore print colour.
What you need
- A mature mushroom with an intact cap (not too young or too dried out)
- A sheet of paper that is half white and half black (or white paper plus a piece of dark card)
- A glass or bowl to cover it
Steps
- Cut the stem off close to the cap.
- Place the cap gills-down (or pore-side down) so it sits over both the light and dark paper.
- Cover with a glass to stop draughts and keep moisture in.
- Leave for 2 to 12 hours. Overnight is ideal.
- Lift the cap straight up to avoid smudging, and read the colour against the paper that shows it best.
What the colour tells you
| Spore print | Examples on this site |
|---|---|
| White | Death cap, St George's mushroom, velvet shank |
| Pink | Livid pinkgill |
| Rusty brown | Funeral bell, deadly webcap, sheathed woodtuft |
| Dark brown | Field mushroom, yellow stainer |
| Purple-brown | Sulphur tuft |
| Black | Shaggy ink cap |
A print narrows things down, it does not prove edibility. Always combine it with habitat, shape, smell and expert confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a spore print take?
Usually 2 to 12 hours. Overnight under a glass is ideal.
Why take a spore print?
Spore colour separates many look-alikes, such as a white-spored St George's mushroom and a pink-spored livid pinkgill.
Safety first. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert. Cooking, drying and freezing do not remove most mushroom toxins.
Sources and further reading: North American Mycological Association, British Mycological Society, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mykologie. Editorial policy.
Not sure what you found?
Photograph it with Mushie for possible matches, look-alike warnings and an AI guide for follow-up questions. Results are suggestions, never a safe-to-eat verdict.