Microgreens Growing Guide: 5 Easy Varieties for Beginners

Why Start With These 5?

If you're new to growing microgreens, these five varieties are the easiest and most rewarding. They germinate quickly, grow reliably, taste great, and teach you the basics without frustration.

1. Radish Microgreens

Days to harvest: 7–10 Difficulty: Easy Flavor: Spicy, peppery, like baby radish

Radish microgreens are the fastest to grow and the most forgiving. They germinate in 2–3 days, even if you're not great at keeping soil moist. The seeds are large and easy to handle, and the bright green shoots are visually striking.

How to grow:

• Spread seeds evenly on a 10x20 tray (about 2 tablespoons per tray)
• Cover with another tray for the first 3 days (weights them down and blocks light)
• Mist twice daily
• Remove cover and place in bright indirect light on day 4
• Harvest when the first true leaves appear (usually day 7–10)

Tip: Radish microgreens grow so fast you can harvest one tray, plant the next, and have a continuous supply within 10 days.

2. Sunflower Microgreens

Days to harvest: 10–14 Difficulty: Easy Flavor: Nutty, mild, like sunflower seeds but tender

Sunflower microgreens are among the most popular because they taste great in anything — salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothie bowls. They're also protein-dense and rich in vitamin E.

How to grow:

• Use hulled sunflower seeds (not raw in-shell)
• Soak seeds overnight (8–12 hours) before planting
• Spread 1/4 cup per tray on moist growing medium
• Cover with weight for first 3 days
• Remove weight, place in bright light
• Water from below (water tray, not soil) to prevent mold
• Harvest at 10–14 days when leaves are fully expanded

Tip: Sunflower microgreens are prone to mold if overwatered. Water from the bottom of the tray and make sure soil is moist but not soggy.

3. Pea Shoots

Days to harvest: 10–14 Difficulty: Very Easy Flavor: Sweet, fresh, like sugar snap peas

Pea shoots are arguably the easiest microgreen to grow. They sprout almost instantly, grow rapidly, and produce abundant harvests. They're also one of the most vitamin-rich microgreens.

How to grow:

• Use garden peas or split peas (not instant soup peas — check the bag)
• Soak peas for 8–12 hours
• Spread 1/2 cup per tray on soil
• Cover with another tray for first 3 days
• Water daily
• Harvest at 10–14 days when shoots are 4–6 inches tall
• Cut with scissors just above the soil line

Tip: Pea shoots are tall, so they need good light or they'll get leggy. A south-facing window or even a cheap LED grow light works.

4. Broccoli Microgreens

Days to harvest: 7–14 Difficulty: Easy Flavor: Mild, slightly spicy, like baby broccoli

Broccoli microgreens are grown for nutrition as much as flavor. They contain 40× more sulforaphane precursors than mature broccoli, making them one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can grow at home.

How to grow:

• Use organic broccoli seeds (non-GMO, untreated)
• Spread 1 tablespoon per tray on moist medium
• Cover with weight for 3–4 days
• Remove cover and place in bright light
• Mist twice daily
• Harvest at 7–14 days when cotyledon leaves are fully open

Tip: Broccoli seeds are small and can clump. Mix seeds with a little dry sand to spread them evenly across the tray.

5. Arugula Microgreens

Days to harvest: 10–14 Difficulty: Easy Flavor: Distinctly peppery, more intense than mature arugula

Arugula microgreens have one of the most distinctive flavors of any microgreen. They're easy to grow, have a beautiful deep green color, and add a gourmet touch to any dish.

How to grow:

• Spread 1 tablespoon per tray on moist medium
• Cover for first 3 days
• Remove cover and place in bright light
• Water from below to keep soil moist
• Harvest at 10–14 days

Tip: Arugula microgreens grow well in cooler temperatures (55–65°F). They're a great fall/winter crop when summer varieties struggle.

The Setup

You need very little to start growing microgreens:

Essential:

• Growing trays (10x20 planting trays, ~$2 each)
• Growing medium (organic potting mix or coco coir)
• Seeds (buy seeds labeled for microgreen growing — not treated with chemicals)
• A light source (south-facing window works for most varieties)

Optional but helpful:

• Spray bottle for misting
• Small scale for weighing seeds
• Bottom-watering trays
• LED grow light (for winter growth)

Estimated startup cost: $30–50 for a basic setup that produces enough microgreens for one person.

Troubleshooting

Mold on soil: Too much moisture, not enough air flow. Water from the bottom, increase ventilation, reduce watering frequency.

Leggy growth: Not enough light. Move to a brighter location or add a grow light.

Poor germination: Seeds too dry before planting. Soak seeds longer (12–24 hours) before planting.

Yellow leaves: Overwatering or insufficient light. Water from the bottom and move to brighter light.

Smelly soil: Anaerobic conditions (too wet, no air). Remove excess water, increase airflow, reduce watering.

The Bottom Line

Microgreens are the easiest food you can grow at home. Five varieties, simple equipment, and two weeks from seed to harvest. The nutritional payoff is enormous for the tiny amount of effort required.

Start with radish and pea microgreens — the easiest two. Once you've harvested your first batch, you'll be hooked. Then try sunflower, broccoli, and arugula. By the end of your first month, you'll have a continuous supply of fresh, potent nutrition growing in your kitchen.