Last updated: August 15, 2026
If you want fresh greens in under two weeks without a yard, a greenhouse, or a single hydroponic pump, learning how to grow microgreens is the fastest way to get there. Microgreens are just vegetable and herb seedlings harvested young, usually one to three weeks after sowing, once the first true leaves appear above the seed leaves. They pack concentrated flavor into a tiny plant, and the entire setup fits on a kitchen counter or a shelf near a window.
This guide walks through what you actually need, a full planting and care routine for growing microgreens indoors, the light and watering habits that separate a thick, even tray from a patchy one, and the mistakes that trip up most first-time growers. By the end you will have a repeatable process to grow microgreens at home year round.
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Quick Answer
How do you grow microgreens indoors?
- Spread seeds densely over a thin layer of soil or a growing mat, mist to keep it evenly damp, and cover for two to four days until seeds sprout.
- Uncover once you see pale stems, then move the tray to bright light, either a sunny window or a small grow light held close above the leaves.
- Water from below or mist gently to avoid mold, and harvest with scissors once the first true leaves open, typically one to three weeks after sowing.
Popular Microgreens Compared
Not every variety grows at the same speed or forgives the same mistakes. This table lines up the varieties most home growers start with, so you can pick something suited to your patience level and your kitchen.
| Variety | Typical Days to Harvest | Flavor | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radish | Around 8 to 12 days | Peppery, sharp | Easy, fast germination |
| Pea shoots | Around 10 to 14 days | Sweet, grassy | Easy, needs a pre-soak |
| Sunflower | Around 8 to 12 days | Nutty, crunchy stems | Easy, needs a weighted cover |
| Broccoli | Around 8 to 12 days | Mild, slightly peppery | Moderate, prone to mold if overwatered |
| Basil | Around 14 to 21 days | Aromatic, sweet | Slower, patchy germination is common |
| Cilantro | Around 18 to 24 days | Citrusy, herbal | Slower, benefits from a longer soak |
Radish, pea shoots, and sunflower are the three most forgiving places to start, since they germinate quickly and tolerate minor watering mistakes. Basil and cilantro reward patience but are worth adding once you have the basic routine down.
What You Need to Start Growing Microgreens
The equipment list for microgreens is short, and most of it is reusable for months. A shallow tray without drainage holes, a second tray with holes or a growing mat that sits inside it, quality seed labeled for microgreens use, a spray bottle, and a bright light source cover the basics.
Growing medium options
Many growers use a thin layer of seed-starting soil, roughly half an inch to an inch deep, since it holds moisture evenly and supports strong roots. Coconut coir mats and other reusable growing pads are common soil-free alternatives that cut down on mess and make harvest cleaner, and either works well once you learn how much to water them.
Seed quantity
Microgreens are grown far more densely than a garden bed. A standard 10-by-20-inch tray typically uses a few tablespoons to a quarter cup of small seeds like broccoli or radish, and closer to a full cup of larger seeds like peas or sunflower. Package instructions from a seed supplier are the most reliable guide for a specific variety.
How to Grow Microgreens Indoors Step by Step
Once you have the basics gathered, the process itself is short and repeats the same way for most varieties, with small timing differences noted variety by variety.
- Soak larger seeds. Peas, sunflower, and beans generally benefit from a four to eight hour soak in water before sowing, which speeds up and evens out germination. Small seeds like broccoli or radish usually skip this step.
- Prepare the tray. Add your growing medium, level it, and mist it until evenly damp but not pooling with water.
- Sow the seeds. Scatter seeds densely and evenly across the surface, close enough that they nearly touch but are not stacked in clumps.
- Cover and weigh down. Place a second tray or a damp paper towel over the seeds for two to four days. Sunflower and pea shoots often grow straighter with a light weight, like a second tray with a book on top, pressing gently down as they push against the cover.
- Uncover at first sign of growth. Once stems turn pale and reach upward, remove the cover and move the tray into bright light.
- Water and light through the growing window. Mist or bottom-water daily, keep the medium damp but never soggy, and give the tray as much bright light as your setup allows for the rest of the cycle.
- Harvest with scissors. Cut stems just above the growing medium once the first true leaves appear, usually one to three weeks in depending on the variety, and rinse gently before eating.
Choosing Light for Microgreens
Microgreens need very little light during the covered germination stage, but growth slows and stems stretch thin if light is weak once the cover comes off. A bright, unobstructed south or west-facing window works for many growers in the spring and summer, though shorter winter days often leave window-grown trays leggy and pale.
Using a small grow light
A compact LED grow light, kept a few inches above the tray and run for around 12 to 16 hours a day, produces noticeably thicker, greener stems than relying on a window alone. If you are shopping for a light specifically suited to a microgreens tray, our grow light guide for microgreens covers fixture types and placement in more depth.
Common Mistakes When Growing Microgreens at Home
- Sowing too thin or too thick. Sparse seed leaves a patchy tray; overcrowded seed increases mold risk from poor airflow between stems.
- Overwatering from the top. Standing water at the base of stems is the most common cause of mold and rot. Bottom watering or a light, even mist keeps the surface drier.
- Leaving the cover on too long. Stems stretch pale and thin, called legginess, if the cover stays on well past the point where seedlings have sprouted.
- Skipping airflow. A small fan on low, run for part of the day once the cover is off, reduces the still, damp air that mold favors.
- Reusing soil without cleaning trays. Rinse and dry trays between plantings to avoid carrying over mold spores.
Harvesting and Storing Microgreens
Harvest is straightforward: hold a small bunch of stems, cut just above the growing medium with clean scissors, and give the greens a gentle rinse before eating. Most varieties are ready anywhere from one to three weeks after sowing, and once cut, the tray is finished, since microgreens are a one-time harvest rather than a cut-and-come-again crop.
Store fresh-cut microgreens loosely in a container lined with a dry paper towel in the refrigerator, where they typically keep well for about five to seven days. Wash them just before use rather than before storing, since extra moisture shortens their shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need soil to grow microgreens? No. Soil works well and is the traditional choice, but coconut coir mats and other reusable growing pads are common alternatives that many growers prefer for a cleaner harvest.
How much light do microgreens need each day? Once uncovered, most growers give microgreens somewhere around 12 to 16 hours of bright light a day, either from a sunny window or a small grow light positioned close above the tray.
Can you regrow microgreens after cutting them? Most varieties are cut once and composted afterward, since the roots and remaining growing medium are typically spent. A few, like pea shoots, occasionally produce a light second flush, but it is usually much thinner than the first.
Why are my microgreens moldy? Mold is almost always tied to too much standing water, poor airflow, or overcrowded seed. Bottom watering, a light fan, and even seed spacing address most mold problems.
How long does it take to grow microgreens indoors? Most varieties are ready to harvest one to three weeks after sowing, with quick growers like radish and sunflower on the faster end and basil and cilantro on the slower end.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to grow microgreens indoors comes down to a dense, even sowing, a short covered germination period, bright light once seedlings appear, and consistent, careful watering. Follow this microgreens growing guide with a forgiving variety like radish or pea shoots first, and a fresh tray can be ready in as little as ten days.
See the variety comparison table