Introduction
Dreaming of fresh, nutrient-packed greens you can harvest right from your kitchen counter? Learning how to grow microgreens indoors is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to bring fresh food into your home year-round. In this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll discover why microgreens are so popular, exactly how to grow them successfully inside, common mistakes to avoid, and extra tips for a steady supply of delicious greens—no garden required!
Why Growing Microgreens Indoors Matters
Microgreens are young, edible seedlings of herbs and vegetables harvested just after the first true leaves develop. They’re packed with intense flavors and can contain up to 40 times more nutrients than mature leaves! Best of all, they’re perfect for small spaces: they grow fast, need little light, and thrive in shallow containers.
Growing microgreens indoors means you’re not dependent on the weather or seasons. Whether you have a tiny apartment, a basement, or just a sunny windowsill, you can harvest fresh greens in as little as 7–21 days. Add them to salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and soups for a healthy, flavorful boost.
Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Microgreens Indoors
1. Choose Your Microgreens
Start with easy, quick-growing varieties such as:
- Radish (spicy and crisp)
- Sunflower (nutty flavor)
- Broccoli (mild and nutritious)
- Peas (sweet and tender)
- Mustard (peppery kick)
- Cress (zesty)
Mix seeds for a colorful, flavorful blend. Buy untreated, organic seeds labeled for microgreen use for best results.
2. Gather Your Supplies
You don’t need fancy equipment! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shallow trays: Standard seed trays, recycled salad containers, or baking trays 1–2 inches deep.
- Growing medium: Use a high-quality seed-starting mix, coconut coir, or a soilless mix.
- Spray bottle: For gentle watering.
- Grow lights (optional): A sunny windowsill works, but grow lights give consistent results.
- Seeds: Enough to sow densely.
Tip: Use trays with drainage holes if possible to prevent soggy roots.
3. Prepare Your Trays
Fill your tray with 1–2 inches of moistened growing medium. Smooth it out gently with your hand. The medium should be damp but not soaking wet.
Tip: Lightly press the soil to create an even surface. This helps seeds make good contact with the medium.
4. Sow Seeds Generously
Microgreens grow close together. Sprinkle seeds evenly over the entire surface—don’t worry about spacing like you would in the garden.
- For larger seeds like peas or sunflower, you can soak them overnight to speed up germination.
- Press seeds gently into the medium and mist with water.
5. Cover and Germinate
Cover the tray loosely with a clear lid, plastic wrap, or another tray to create humidity. Place the tray in a warm spot (65–75°F or 18–24°C).
- Keep the medium consistently moist by misting daily.
- Seeds should sprout in 2–5 days, depending on the variety.
6. Give Them Light
Once seeds sprout, remove the cover and move the tray to a bright windowsill or under grow lights.
- Microgreens need about 4–6 hours of direct light or 12–16 hours under grow lights.
- Rotate the tray if using window light to prevent seedlings from leaning.
7. Water Carefully
Water from the side or bottom to avoid flattening delicate greens. You can place trays in a shallow pan of water for 10–15 minutes so the roots absorb moisture.
- Check daily. The growing medium should stay moist but not soggy.
8. Harvest Your Microgreens
Most microgreens are ready to harvest in 7–21 days, when they have developed their first true leaves.
- Use clean scissors to snip greens just above the soil line.
- Harvest what you need and leave the rest for another day.
Tip: Rinse microgreens gently and pat dry before eating.
9. Clean Up and Start Again
After harvesting, compost the leftover roots and soil. Clean your trays thoroughly before planting a new batch to prevent mold or disease.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Overwatering
Solution: Keep soil damp but never soggy. Overwatering can cause mold and root rot.
Mistake 2: Poor Air Circulation
Solution: Use a small fan near your growing area to reduce humidity and mold growth.
Mistake 3: Not Enough Light
Solution: Microgreens grown without enough light become leggy and pale. Add grow lights if you don’t have a sunny windowsill.
Mistake 4: Using Garden Soil
Solution: Always use sterile seed-starting mix or a soilless medium to prevent pests and disease indoors.
Mistake 5: Not Cleaning Trays
Solution: Wash trays between crops to prevent disease buildup.
Extra Tips & Garden Hacks
✅ Succession Planting: Start new trays every week for a continuous supply of microgreens.
✅ Use Coconut Coir or Hemp Mats: These soilless options are tidy and easy to compost afterward.
✅ Try Unusual Varieties: Experiment with basil, amaranth, or chard for unique colors and flavors.
✅ Related Read: Check out our guide on how to grow root vegetables in small spaces for more indoor and compact gardening ideas!
Conclusion
Growing microgreens indoors is an easy, affordable way to enjoy fresh, nutritious greens every day—no matter the season or size of your space. With just a sunny windowsill, some seeds, and a few simple supplies, you’ll be snipping vibrant microgreens in a week or two.
Bookmark this complete guide on how to grow microgreens indoors and enjoy a tasty, healthy harvest at your fingertips all year long!