If you’ve ever wondered how to grow microgreens in your kitchen without fancy equipment or a green thumb, you’re in the right place. These tiny greens are nutritional powerhouses that grow fast, taste amazing, and are incredibly beginner-friendly—even if your last plant didn’t make it a week.
Whether you’re a budget-conscious cook, a busy parent, or just curious about growing your own food indoors, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about cultivating microgreens at home—step by step.
Why Learn How to Grow Microgreens at Home?
Before we dig into the how-to, let’s talk about the why.
Microgreens are young edible greens harvested when the first true leaves appear. They’re typically ready in just 7 to 14 days and packed with nutrients—often containing up to 40 times more vitamins than their mature counterparts.
Plus, they:
- Grow easily indoors with minimal space
- Require no garden, yard, or soil beds
- Add flavor, texture, and color to everyday meals
- Cost pennies compared to store-bought varieties
- Reduce food waste and carbon footprint
If you love budget-friendly, healthy, and sustainable living, learning how to grow microgreens is a no-brainer.
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What You’ll Need to Grow Microgreens Indoors
You don’t need a greenhouse or expensive gear. Here’s a list of simple, budget-friendly tools to get started.
Basic Supplies for Growing Microgreens:
- Shallow trays (with or without drainage holes)
- Growing medium: Soil, coconut coir, or hemp mats
- Microgreen seeds (organic preferred)
- Spray bottle for watering
- Clear lid or plastic wrap for germination
- Natural light or grow light
Tip: Choose organic microgreen seeds like broccoli, radish, pea, sunflower, or arugula. They’re easy to grow and have distinct flavors.
👉 Our Product Picks:
- Organic Microgreen Seed Mix – Great variety pack to get started.
- Burpee Seed Starting Tray – Comes with a humidity dome.
- Burpee Organic Coconut Coir – 100% biodegradable soil alternative.
- iPower LED Grow Light Strip – Affordable and perfect for kitchen countertops.
- Stackable Seed Sprouting Kit – No soil is needed, just water.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Grow Microgreens in Your Kitchen
Step 1: Choose Your Seeds
Start with quick-growing microgreens like:
- Broccoli (mild and nutrient-rich)
- Radish (peppery and bold)
- Pea shoots (sweet and crunchy)
- Sunflower (nutty flavor)
Avoid regular garden seeds unless they’re labeled safe for microgreens (some are treated with chemicals).
🍃 Best Microgreens for Beginners
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of beginner-friendly varieties:
| Microgreen | Days to Harvest | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Radish | 5–8 | Spicy, peppery |
| Broccoli | 7–10 | Mild, earthy |
| Pea shoots | 10–14 | Sweet, crisp |
| Sunflower | 10–12 | Nutty, crunchy |
| Mustard | 7–9 | Spicy, zesty |
| Arugula | 7–10 | Bold, peppery |
Step 2: Prep Your Trays and Growing Medium
- Fill your shallow tray with 1–2 inches of soil or growing medium.
- Gently flatten it without packing it down.
- Lightly mist the surface with water.
Budget tip: Upcycle plastic takeout containers or berry boxes as grow trays.
Step 3: Sow the Seeds
- Sprinkle seeds evenly over the surface.
- Press them lightly into the medium (don’t bury them).
- Mist again to settle them in place.
Pro tip: Denser seeding = thicker greens, but avoid overcrowding.
Step 4: Cover and Germinate
- Cover the tray with a lid, another tray, or plastic wrap.
- Keep in a dark, warm spot for 2–3 days to encourage germination.
Check daily and mist as needed to keep it moist but not soggy.
Step 5: Let There Be Light
- Once seeds sprout (usually day 2–4), remove the cover.
- Move the tray to a sunny windowsill or under a grow light.
Aim for 12–16 hours of light per day for best results.
Step 6: Water Gently
- Use a spray bottle to mist once or twice daily.
- Bottom-watering (adding water under the tray) helps prevent mold.
Common mistake: Overwatering! Mold and rot are signs you’re doing too much.
👉 Don’t toss your veggie peels and food scraps! Turn everyday kitchen waste into nutrient-rich plant food with our guide on DIY Fertilizer from Household Waste. It’s the perfect companion to growing microgreens on a budget—no store-bought soil enhancers needed!
Step 7: Harvest and Enjoy!
- Your microgreens are ready when they’re 1–3 inches tall and have their first set of true leaves (usually around day 7–14).
- Use scissors to snip them just above the soil line.
- Rinse gently, pat dry, and eat fresh.
Use them in: Salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, eggs, rice bowls—even pizza!
Tips for Success When Growing Microgreens Indoors
- Start small. One tray is all you need to learn the basics.
- Try different seed blends. Many brands offer mixed greens for diverse flavors.
- Rotate your trays daily to prevent “leaning” toward the light.
- Try a grow light if you don’t get enough natural sunlight.
- Keep air circulation flowing—a small fan nearby helps reduce mold.
- Avoid overwatering. Microgreens are delicate; too much water can cause mold.
- Sanitize trays between plantings to avoid bacteria buildup.
- Label your trays. Especially if you’re growing multiple varieties.
- Track your results to help you track what works and what doesn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Microgreens
Do I need special seeds for microgreens?
Yes, choose seeds labeled for microgreens—untreated and safe to consume raw.
How long does it take to grow microgreens?
Most are ready to harvest in 7–14 days.
Can I reuse the soil or grow mat?
It’s best to start fresh each cycle to prevent mold and bacteria.
How do I store harvested microgreens?
Rinse, dry, and store them in an airtight container with a paper towel. Use within 3–5 days.
Are microgreens the same as sprouts?
Nope. Sprouts are grown in water and eaten whole (including root), while microgreens grow in a medium and are harvested above the root.
Growing Tiny Greens with Big Benefits
How to grow microgreens in your kitchen is less about gardening and more about rethinking what’s possible in small spaces. With just a tray, a sunny windowsill, and a sprinkle of seeds, you can grow your own flavorful, nutrient-packed produce year-round.
Whether you’re feeding a family, cooking from scratch, or just tired of paying $5 for a handful of arugula, microgreens put power—and produce—back in your hands.
Bottom line: You don’t need a garden to grow fresh food. Just a tray, some seeds, and this guide.
Start your first tray today—and harvest your first crop in under two weeks.
