How to grow microgreens at home

Microgreens are not only healthy, but they are also tasty and add a pop of colour to your plate. Luckily, growing your own microgreens is quite simple and can be done on almost any windowsill.

Many food trends make their way across the pond from North America to Europe and the UK – and microgreens are no exception. Microgreens have become part of haute cuisine here in the UK and are becoming increasingly popular among hobby gardeners. And it is no surprise that these nutrient-dense plants have grown in popularity – after all, growing microgreens indoors is easy and takes up very little space. Find out how to grow microgreens at home including tips on watering and harvesting them.

What are microgreens? 

Many people think microgreens are leafy greens, but they are actually seedlings of various vegetables that are not typically eaten as leaf vegetables otherwise. Microgreens are grown from seeds of a range of vegetables and herbs such as peas (Pisum sativum), sunflowers (Helianthus anuus), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), radishes (Raphanus sativus), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and many others. After just 7 to 21 days, microgreens from most plant species are ready to be harvested. At this point, the first leaves to sprout from the germinating seeds, known as cotyledons, are fully developed and a few other leaves may have grown too. To harvest, simply cut the microgreens just above the soil line and eat them whole, shoot and all. As they are so easy to grow and have a reputation for being a health food, more and more people are cultivating microgreens on their own.

Microgreens are usually more nutrient dense than the full-grown plant, but you also eat a much smaller amount as a result. For this reason, microgreens can be consumed as part of a balanced diet – but like many other so-called “superfoods”, they should not be seen as some kind of miracle cure.

Interested? Read on to find out how to grow microgreens at home.

Did you know? One microgreen that most people have already heard of and have likely grown themselves is garden cress (Lepidium sativum). Cress has a strong, slightly spicy flavour and is harvested when the first leaves are fully developed.

Growing microgreens

Microgreens are not only healthy and delicious, but also easy to grow. Better yet, you probably already have most of what you will need to grow your own microgreens in your cupboards at home.

Seeds or seed pads?

Microgreens can be grown from ordinary seeds that you would plant in your garden. However, for just one tray of microgreens, you would need a lot of these seeds, and they are usually pretty expensive. Fortunately, several garden centres and DIY stores now sell special seeds for growing your own microgreens that are cheaper and come in larger quantities. You can also use seeds intended for cooking for some microgreen species, such as peas, sunflowers, or beans. It’s critical that these seeds are not seasoned, roasted, baked, or processed in any way.

On the other hand, specialist online stores have a far greater assortment. Seed pads can also be found in such internet stores. Seed pads are plantable mats with seeds implanted in them. Simply lay the seed pad in a tray and water to use. While this method is more expensive, it does not require any soil.

Tip: You can also use leftover seeds from your garden to grow microgreens.

Suitable microgreen trays

In theory, any shallow tray is suitable for growing microgreens. You can use anything from an old casserole dish to a flowerpot saucer or even the plastic trays in which fruit and vegetables are packed. There are, of course, also special microgreen trays that you can purchase which make cultivation a little easier.

Growing microgreens with or without soil?

When planting microgreens, there are many different types of growing medium to choose from. In addition to potting soil, such as our high-quality and certified organic Plantura Organic Herb & Seeding Compost, you can also use hemp or coconut fibre growing mats. However, these mats do not store water as well as potting soil and will therefore need to be watered more often. If you are using soil, create a layer of soil about 3 to 4 cm deep to sow the seeds in. Alternatively, you can simply place several sheets of kitchen paper towel in a tray and sow the microgreen seeds directly on top. 

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Note: Soil that microgreens have been grown in cannot be reused. After cultivation, the microgreens’ roots release growth-inhibiting substances. You can, however, spread the soil over a large area in your garden beds or add it to your compost heap.

How to grow microgreens: the right location

Microgreens thrive on a warm, bright windowsill that receives no direct sunlight. Placing your microgreen trays on a small pedestal helps create optimal growing conditions as it allows for better air circulation. The optimal germination temperature varies by plant species, but it is generally between 15 and 22°C, so growing microgreens indoors usually works well.

How much light do microgreens need? Unlike sprouts, microgreens need light to fully develop. However, only a small amount of light is required. If you plan on growing microgreens on a regular basis, or if you simply do not have a light enough spot, you can purchase a LED grow light to help. If you just want to try growing your own microgreens for the first time or only plan on growing the occasional small batch, a bright windowsill is perfectly fine.

How to grow microgreens: step-by-step instructions

Once you have chosen your seeds and found a suitable growing tray for your microgreens, it’s time to start sowing. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to grow microgreens:

1. Fill a suitable microgreen tray with potting soil, about 3 – 4 cm high, such as our Plantura Organic Herb & Seeding Compost. Alternatively, cut a hemp or coconut fibre growing mat or several layers of paper towel to size.
2. Water the growing medium prior to sowing to avoid washing away the seeds. If using soil, water generously. If using hemp or coconut mats, soak in water for a few minutes.
3. Now sow your microgreen seeds. Sow the seeds close together but leave enough space in between for the growing medium to still be visible. Be sure to distribute the seeds as evenly as possible. For more precise information on how many seeds to sow, refer to the seed’s packaging.
4. Carefully press the microgreen seeds down a little.
5. Cover the trays for better germination. This increases the humidity and allows the seeds to germinate better. The easiest way to do this is to put two identical trays inside each other and sow the seeds in the lower tray. Then place the upper tray directly on top to cover them. For many species, it can also be helpful to weigh down the upper tray a little to help the young plants establish themselves.
6. After 3 – 4 days, remove the cover. At this point, most of the seeds should have germinated and the seedlings should have lifted the upper tray slightly. The plants may look rather yellow at this point as they have been deprived of light. This is normal and changes very quickly once the plants are exposed to light.
7. Depending on the plant and growing medium, the microgreens need to be watered every 1 – 2 days. Carefully pour some water into the microgreen tray until the soil is moist again.

Tip: Soak large and hard-shelled seeds such as peas (Pisum sativum) or sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) overnight in water before sowing. This accelerates and activates germination as it softens the outer shell and washes out germination-inhibiting substances.

How to water microgreens

Most microgreens are ready for harvesting in 7 to 21 days. Even in such a short time span, the seedlings need proper care – the main challenge is working out how much to water. Microgreen seedlings grow best in conditions that are consistently and evenly moist. Do not let the growing medium dry out. If kept too wet, however, mould may start to form. Lukewarm tap water is best for watering microgreens. How often you should water your microgreens depends on the plant type and the growing medium used and should be adjusted accordingly. On average, water microgreens about every one to two days.

How and when to harvest microgreens

The seedlings are ready for harvesting when the cotyledons and sometimes the first pair of proper leaves have formed. When harvesting, cut off the stems about a finger’s width above the substrate. You can do this with either a large pair of scissors or a sharp knife. But remember, microgreens can quickly begin to rot if not used straight away. So, only harvest as needed and do not harvest too much at once.

You have already grown your own microgreens? Why not try growing broccoli sprouts at home for a change?