Psilocybe cubensis
B+ Mushroom Strain Psilocybe cubensis
One of the largest-growing strains of Psilocybe cubensis. B+ is prized for its robust, oversized fruits, easygoing cultivation and forgiving temperature tolerance, making it a favourite alongside Golden Teacher for first-time growers.
1. Strain Overview
B+ (full name "Herbens B+") is one of the largest-fruiting and most widely cultivated strains of Psilocybe cubensis, established in the home-grower community since the 1980s. Its name is a direct reference to its size, with the "B" standing for Big and the "+" for Very, reflecting its reputation as one of the tallest-growing cubensis varieties.
Compared to high-potency strains like Penis Envy, B+ is considered moderate in psilocybin content at around 0.68% dry weight, only marginally higher than Golden Teacher. What sets it apart is its size, temperature tolerance and remarkable resilience across a wide range of substrates, making it a top pick for anyone new to mycology.
2. Origin & History
B+ first appeared in Florida, US, sometime in the 1980s or early 1990s. Its exact creator is not officially known, though an early grower referred to as "Mr. G" is often credited in cultivation lore. One of the strain's most enduring myths is that it was a hybrid cross between Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe azurescens, a cross that is biologically not possible, and most likely spread to market it as a special, higher-potency strain.
Despite the myth, B+ gained genuine popularity among hobby mycologists for being a "super strain" capable of growing on a wide range of substrates, from dung to birdseed, while remaining highly resilient to temperature fluctuations. Like Golden Teacher, it grows naturally as part of the wild P. cubensis species, native to tropical and subtropical grasslands across Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Australia, where it grows on cattle and buffalo dung.
Today B+ remains one of the most widely distributed and forgiving cultivation strains globally, prized for consistency and its unusually large fruit bodies.
| Native Range | Tropics & subtropics worldwide |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pastures, cattle & buffalo dung |
| Altitude | 0–1,500 m above sea level |
| Season | Year-round in tropics; rainy season (May–Oct) |
| Temperature (wild) | 18–30 °C |
| Humidity | 70–100 % |
3. Appearance & Psilocybin Alkaloids
Morphology
| Cap (young) | Convex, caramel to vibrant golden-yellow, darker centre |
|---|---|
| Cap (mature) | Broad and thick, rarely flattens fully, 50–100 mm diameter |
| Surface | Smooth, slightly glossy, sticky when moist |
| Gills | Grey-violet to purplish-black, dense |
| Stem | 80–180 mm tall, long and sturdy, thickens further in cool temperatures |
| Flesh | White, bruises blue on injury |
| Spore print | Dark purple to blackish-brown, heavy spore drop |
Active Compounds (alkaloids)
Values vary by substrate, growing conditions, harvest timing and drying method. Bars show relative proportions only. Sources: Stamets, 1996; Beug & Bigwood, 1982.
4. Effects & the Psychedelic Experience
B+ is widely regarded as producing a pleasant, euphoric experience that closely mirrors Golden Teacher, with visuals often described as slightly more pronounced. Users commonly report a warm, sociable head-space alongside noticeable body euphoria, rather than the overwhelming intensity associated with more potent strains. This makes it well suited to relaxed, low-pressure settings.
Psilocybin works by interacting with serotonin receptors in the brain, temporarily shifting how you perceive yourself and the world around you. The experience is highly personal and can range from gently euphoric to profoundly reflective depending on dose, mindset and setting. Typical duration is 4–6 hours, with onset after oral ingestion within 20–60 minutes.
Common Effects by Dose
| Dose | Typical Effects |
|---|---|
| Low (0.5–1 g) | Mild mood lift, enhanced colour and music perception |
| Medium (1.5–2.5 g) | Visual effects, altered time perception, introspection |
| High (3.5+ g) | Profound shift in self-perception, possible ego dissolution |
Not sure about the right dose? Use our Dosage Calculator →
5. How to Grow B+ Mushrooms
| Difficulty | Easy ⭐ |
|---|---|
| Colonisation Temp. | 21–27 °C |
| Fruiting Temp. | 22–26 °C |
| Humidity | 85–100 % |
| Colonisation Duration | 10–14 days |
| Fruiting Duration | 5–7 days |
| Total Duration | 5–8 weeks |
| Number of Flushes | 3–5 flushes, up to 7 |
| Temperature Tolerance | Remarkably resilient; can fruit outdoors from 7–32 °C |
| Harvest | Before the veil tears; heavy spore drop |
Growing Methods
Monotub
A large, lidded plastic tub filled with bulk substrate (e.g. coco coir/vermiculite or pasteurised straw). The most popular method for higher yields and works especially well with B+, since its thick stems and robust mycelium tolerate a wide temperature range. Follow our full Monotub Grow Guide → (same method, simply swap in B+ spores).
All-in-One Grow Bag
A pre-sterilised bag containing grain and bulk substrate in one unit. Simply inject spores and wait. Ideal for beginners, as the sealed bag greatly reduces contamination risk during colonisation. See our step-by-step All-in-One Bag Instructions →
PF Tek (Jars)
The classic beginner method using small glass jars filled with Brown Rice Flour and vermiculite. Each jar is inoculated individually, colonised, then transferred to a fruiting chamber. More labour-intensive but gives excellent control and is easy to learn.
6. Variants & Related Cubensis Strains
B+ shares its lineage with, and has inspired, a number of closely related cubensis strains, each with slightly different morphology, potency or growth characteristics.
The most iconic beginner strain alongside B+. Similar moderate potency and forgiving cultivation, with a slightly more elegant, graceful fruiting habit and marginally lower temperature tolerance.
Similar Cubensis StrainOne of the most potent cubensis strains known, with dense, bulbous fruiting bodies and a slower, more demanding cultivation process. A parent strain of Tidal Wave.
High Potency StrainA cold-tolerant strain originally collected in the Andes Mountains. Thick-stemmed and reddish-golden in colour, with a similarly moderate potency and low-to-medium cultivation difficulty.
Similar Cubensis StrainA dark chocolate-brown mutation isolated directly from B+ genetics. Retains B+'s size and resilience while displaying unusually deep pigmentation and a denser, wood-like stem texture.
B+ IsolationA hybrid cross between B+ and Penis Envy, combining B+'s reliable fruiting and colonisation speed with Penis Envy's elevated potency. Known for thick, wavy-capped mushrooms and above-average alkaloid content.
B+ × Penis Envy CrossNamed in tribute to Terence McKenna, this strain shares B+'s moderate-to-slightly-higher potency and forgiving cultivation, with characteristically heavy blue bruising and dense clusters.
Similar Cubensis StrainFrequently Asked Questions
B+ is a large, fast-growing strain of Psilocybe cubensis, first cultivated in Florida during the 1980s or early 1990s. Its name stands for Big Plus, referencing its oversized fruiting bodies, and it remains one of the most popular beginner strains alongside strains such as Golden Teacher today.
The full spore to harvest cycle for B+ typically takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Colonisation usually finishes within 10 to 14 days, followed by 5 to 7 days for pins to mature into harvestable mushrooms. Each flush can be repeated 3 to 5 times, sometimes up to seven, extending your total harvest.
B+ mushrooms have large, caramel to golden-yellow caps that rarely flatten out completely, sitting atop long, thick, whitish stems that bruise blue when handled. Their size and sturdy build make them among the largest fruiting Psilocybe cubensis strains, with a heavy, dark purple-brown spore print.
B+ mushrooms can be eaten dried, brewed into a tea, or taken using the Lemon Tek method for a faster onset. Eating them raw sometimes causes mild stomach upset, so many people prefer steeping them with ginger tea or grinding them into capsules to make the earthy taste much easier to tolerate.
B+ has a moderate psilocybin content of around 0.68% dry weight, slightly higher than Golden Teacher but still gentle compared to potent strains like Penis Envy. Expect a pleasant, euphoric experience with mild to moderate visuals, making it a solid choice for those with some prior experience.