Short answer: a good microgreens growing kit includes a tray with drainage holes, a solid tray underneath, a growing medium, easy seed like radish, broccoli, sunflower or peas, and clear instructions. Kits are handy for beginners and as gifts. To save money, build your own with a 1020 tray set, potting mix or a grow mat, and seed sold for microgreens.
What's in a microgreens growing kit?
Most kits include some or all of these:
| Part | What it does | Must-have? |
|---|---|---|
| Growing tray with holes | Holds the medium and seed, drains excess water | Yes |
| Solid water tray | Catches drips and lets you water from below | Yes |
| Growing medium | Soil, coco coir, or a hemp or jute mat | Yes |
| Seed | Usually 2 to 6 easy varieties | Yes |
| Cover or dome | Keeps seeds dark and humid for the first days | Very useful |
| Spray bottle | Mists seeds during the dark stage | Useful |
| Small LED light | Grows sturdier greens in dim rooms | Optional |
| Instructions | Seeding amounts, soak times, harvest days | Yes |
Buy a kit or build your own?
Buy a kit if:
- You want everything in one box and simple instructions.
- It's a gift.
- You're not sure yet whether you'll keep growing.
Build your own if:
- You plan to grow regularly.
- You want to choose your own seeds.
- You want sturdier trays that last.
Building your own usually costs less over time, because you can reuse trays and buy seed in bigger bags.
How to build your own microgreens kit
- Trays: a 10 × 20 inch tray set (one with holes, one without), or a 10 × 10 set for small batches. See 1010 vs 1020 trays.
- Growing medium: a bag of fine potting mix or seed-starting mix, coco coir, or hemp grow mats. See soil vs coco coir vs mats.
- Seed: start with two or three easy varieties (below).
- Cover: a spare tray or a flat board.
- Spray bottle and scissors.
- Light: a bright window, or a simple LED shop light.
That's it. The step-by-step microgreens guide walks you through your first tray.
The best seeds for a starter kit
| Seed | Ready in | Why it's good to start |
|---|---|---|
| Radish | 8–12 days | Fast, colourful, rarely fails |
| Broccoli | 7–12 days | Mild, easy, well-known |
| Sunflower | 8–10 days | Big crunchy shoots, kids love it |
| Pea shoots | 8–10 days | Sweet, big harvest, may regrow |
| Mustard | 8–12 days | Spicy flavour, easy |
For more ideas, see the easiest and fastest microgreens and our guide to microgreen seeds.
Microgreens kits as gifts
A microgreens kit is a great gift for cooks, gardeners without a garden, kids and anyone in an apartment. For a homemade gift:
- Pack a 10 × 10 tray set, a small bag of coco coir or a grow mat, and two or three seed packets.
- Add a printed card with the steps (soak, sow, cover, light, harvest) and the harvest days for each seed.
- For kids, choose big seeds like peas and sunflower that are easy to handle.
A mixed seed blend makes a simple add-on: one packet gives a whole tray of mixed greens.
Common kit problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Moldy tray | Sow a little thinner, water from below and add airflow |
| Tall, pale greens | Give more light, or move the tray closer to a window |
| Seeds not sprouting | Keep them covered and misted for the first 2 to 3 days |
| Not enough seed in the kit | Buy a larger bag of your favourite variety |
See 12 microgreen mistakes for more.
Where to buy kit parts
We link to trays, grow mats, microgreen seeds and kits from Sprouting.com. We earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in a microgreens growing kit?
A typical kit includes one or more shallow trays, a growing medium such as soil, coco coir or a grow mat, and a few packets of microgreen seed. Better kits add a solid water tray, a cover for the dark stage and clear instructions.
Are microgreens growing kits worth it?
They're worth it if you want an easy, all-in-one start or a gift. If you plan to grow regularly, buying trays, a growing medium and seed separately is usually cheaper and gives you more choice.
What's the easiest microgreen to start with?
Radish and broccoli are the easiest small-seed microgreens, and sunflower and pea shoots are the easiest big-seed ones. All are ready in about 8 to 12 days.
Do microgreen kits need a grow light?
Not always. A bright window works in spring and summer. Some kits include a small LED light, which helps in winter or in a dim room.
Can kids use a microgreens kit?
Yes. Microgreens are a great family project because they grow fast. Pea shoots and sunflower are good choices for kids because the seeds are big and easy to handle, and the shoots are sweet.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
