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A shelf, a few trays and a window. Good for teaching plant biology and healthy eating.
Home / Microgreens
Microgreen farming and suggested varieties
Radish, mustard, broccoli, fenugreek, sunflower, pea shoots and more: what to grow, how long it takes and how to start.
Fresh, nutrient-dense greens in 1 to 3 weeks
Microgreens are the young seedlings of vegetables and herbs, cut at the first true leaf stage. They grow in shallow trays, need little space and give a harvest within days. Chefs, cafes, hotels and health-conscious households buy them fresh.
They are a low-cost way to start soilless farming, and a good first step before a larger vertical farm. The table below lists suggested varieties and what to expect.
Suggested vegetables and herbs for microgreens
Times are typical ranges at 20 to 24 °C. Your seed lot, room temperature and light change them. Always run a small test tray before a full batch.
| Variety | Days to harvest | Difficulty | Soak seed | Dark period | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RadishSpicy, crunchy; pink-red stems | 6 to 10 days | Easy | No | 2 to 3 days | Fastest and most reliable first crop. |
| Mustard (sarson)Peppery, bright green | 6 to 10 days | Easy | No | 2 to 3 days | Strong flavour; mix with milder greens. |
| BroccoliMild, fresh; popular with chefs | 7 to 12 days | Easy | No | 2 to 4 days | Mix well with radish. Keep the seed dry before sowing. |
| KaleMild, slightly sweet | 7 to 12 days | Easy | No | 2 to 4 days | Good for salads and smoothies. |
| Fenugreek (methi)Bitter-sweet; local favourite | 6 to 10 days | Easy | Yes, 6 to 8 h | 2 to 3 days | Rinse often. Slimy seed coat if over-watered. |
| SunflowerNutty and crunchy | 8 to 12 days | Medium | Yes, 6 to 8 h | 3 to 4 days | Remove loose seed hulls before serving. |
| Pea shootsSweet, like fresh peas | 8 to 14 days | Medium | Yes, 8 to 12 h | 3 to 4 days | Large seed; sow thickly in a deeper tray. |
| Red cabbageMild, purple stems and leaves | 7 to 12 days | Easy | No | 2 to 4 days | Very attractive plate garnish. |
| BeetrootEarthy; deep red stems | 10 to 16 days | Medium | Yes, 4 to 6 h | 3 to 4 days | Slow and uneven; soak the clusters. |
| AmaranthMild; magenta leaves | 8 to 12 days | Medium | No | 2 to 3 days | Tiny seed: sow evenly and mist gently. |
| Coriander (dhaniya)Citrus, aromatic | 14 to 21 days | Harder | Yes, split seed, 4 to 6 h | 4 to 6 days | Slow to sprout; use split seed for speed. |
| BasilSweet, aromatic | 12 to 18 days | Harder | No | 3 to 4 days | Likes warmth. Sensitive to mould. |
Do not grow nightshade microgreens
Do not eat tomato, potato, aubergine or similar nightshade seedlings. Their young leaves contain natural toxins. Stay with the varieties listed above.
How a tray is grown
- Choose food-grade seed. Buy seed sold for sprouts or microgreens, not treated seed for field sowing.
- Fill a clean tray. Use a thin layer of coco peat, a mat or another clean growing medium with drainage holes.
- Sow evenly and mist. Spread the seed thickly and evenly, press it down and mist until the surface is damp.
- Keep it dark and covered. Stack or cover trays for the dark period in the table, so stems stretch and roots anchor.
- Give light. Move to bright light, such as a window or a grow light, when the seedlings lift the cover. Bottom-water to avoid wet leaves.
- Harvest and chill. Cut just above the medium with clean scissors, when the first true leaves open. Chill quickly and sell or use within a few days.
Food safety basics
- Use clean drinking-quality water and clean trays between batches.
- Do not let trays sit warm and soggy. Mould and bacteria love that.
- Cut above the medium and never eat the roots or seed coats.
- Wash hands, label each batch with its sow date and keep produce cold.
Who it suits
Small businesses
Supply cafes, restaurants and hotels in your town with a daily cut. Start small and learn what sells.
Startups and farms
Add a high-value product to an existing farm or start an agri-startup. See agri-startups.
Prices, yields and demand differ by city and season. We help you test the market with a pilot before you scale. Our water checker will tell you if your source water is suitable.