grow · Grow

How to Grow Microgreens at Home

Microgreens grow from seed to harvest in 7-14 days using nothing more than a shallow tray, growing medium, seeds, and a sunny windowsill. Soak seeds overnight, scatter them densely on moist soil or growing medium, cover for 2-3 days until sprouted, then move to light and harvest when the first true leaves appear.

Total time: 7-14 days
Hands-on: 30 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1-2 inches shallow tray or container
as needed potting mix, coconut coir, or paper towels
as needed seeds (radish, pea shoots, sunflower, or arugula)
8-12 hours soaking time for larger seeds

Step by step

Choose your seeds and soak them. Pick fast-growing varieties like radish, pea shoots, sunflower, or arugula. Soak larger seeds like peas and sunflowers for 8-12 hours. Small seeds like arugula and radish can go straight to planting.
Prepare your growing tray. Use a shallow tray or container 1-2 inches deep. Fill with potting mix, coconut coir, or even paper towels. The medium should be moist but not waterlogged. Level it smooth.
Sow the seeds densely. Scatter seeds across the surface much more thickly than you would for full-size plants. They should almost touch each other. Press gently into the growing medium but don't bury them deep.
Cover and keep dark. Place another tray on top or cover with a damp cloth. Keep in a warm spot around 65-75°F. Check daily and mist if the surface looks dry. Seeds will sprout in 2-4 days.
Move to light once sprouted. When you see green shoots pushing up, remove the cover and place near a bright window or under a grow light. The stems will straighten and leaves will open within a day.
Water from below. Set your tray in a larger tray of water for 10-15 minutes daily, letting the growing medium soak up what it needs. This prevents mold and keeps leaves dry.
Harvest at the right moment. Cut with scissors just above the growing medium when the first true leaves appear, usually 7-14 days after planting. The cotyledons should be fully open and vibrant green.

Tips & troubleshooting

Start new trays every few days for continuous harvest
Rinse seeds in cool water before soaking to remove any debris
Good air circulation prevents mold - a small fan helps in humid conditions
Harvest in the morning when leaves are most crisp and full of moisture
Store cut microgreens in the refrigerator with a damp paper towel for up to a week

Variations

Paper towel method. Layer damp paper towels in your tray instead of soil. Works perfectly for mucilaginous seeds like arugula and mustard that can get slimy in soil.
Hydroponic setup. Use a mesh tray over a water reservoir with liquid nutrients. Faster growth and cleaner harvest, but requires more initial setup.
Sprouting mix. Combine 3-4 different seed varieties with similar germination times. Radish, broccoli, and kale work well together for a spicy mixed green.

Questions

Why are my microgreens growing tall and pale?: They need more light. Move them closer to a window or add a grow light. Pale, leggy growth happens when plants stretch toward insufficient light.
What causes white fuzzy growth on the stems?: Usually root hairs, not mold. True mold is gray or black and smells musty. Root hairs are white and odorless. Better air circulation helps prevent actual mold.
Can I reuse the growing medium after harvest?: Not recommended. The roots create a dense mat that's hard to clean, and residual organic matter can harbor bacteria. Start fresh each time.
Which seeds grow fastest?: Radish and arugula are ready in 6-8 days. Pea shoots take 8-12 days but give you more substantial greens. Sunflowers need 10-14 days but offer great crunch.
Do I need special seeds for microgreens?: Regular seeds work fine, but avoid treated seeds meant for outdoor planting. Look for untreated, high-germination seeds sold specifically for sprouting or microgreens.