Short answer: the easiest microgreens to grow are radish (fast and foolproof), broccoli (mild and popular), pea shoots (big seed, sweet), mustard (quick and spicy), kale (mild and forgiving), cress (fastest) and sunflower (crunchy, needs a weight). All are ready in about 7 to 14 days.
The easiest microgreens to grow, ranked
| Rank | Microgreen | Days | Why it's easy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radish | 10–12 | Sprouts fast and evenly, rarely fails |
| 2 | Broccoli | 7–12 | Small seed, no soak, even growth |
| 3 | Pea shoots | 8–10 | Big seed is easy to handle |
| 4 | Mustard | 8–12 | Quick and tough |
| 5 | Kale | 10–14 | Forgiving, few pests |
| 6 | Cress | 8–12 | Very fast, grows on a plate |
| 7 | Sunflower | 8–10 | Big yield; just needs a weight and hull care |
What makes a microgreen easy?
- Fast germination. Seeds that sprout in 1 to 2 days have less time to dry out or mold.
- Even growth. Brassicas come up together, so the whole tray is ready at once.
- Forgiving seed. Larger seeds like peas are easy to spread evenly.
- Short time to harvest. Fewer days means fewer chances for problems.
1. Radish
Radish is the classic first microgreen. It sprouts in a day or two and grows evenly. In about 10 days, you have a tray of crisp, peppery greens. Use about 25 to 35 g of seed per 10 × 20 inch tray.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli is mild and very popular. Sow it dry on moist soil, with no soaking. It's ready in about 7 to 12 days.
3. Pea shoots
Pea seed is big, so it's easy to spread. Soak it, sow it thickly and give it light. In 8 to 10 days you have sweet, crunchy shoots.
4. Mustard
Mustard is fast and tough. Varieties range from mild mizuna to hot wasabi mustard. It's ready in 8 to 12 days.
5. Kale
Kale is a mild, forgiving brassica that grows a lot like broccoli. Red kale adds purple stems.
6. Cress
Cress is one of the fastest of all. It can even grow on a damp paper towel on a plate. It's ready as microgreens in 8 to 12 days, or as sprouts in 4 to 5.
7. Sunflower
Sunflower is a little more work, but the reward is big. Soak the seed, weight the tray during blackout, and brush off hulls.
Tips for the easiest microgreens to grow
- Start with one crop, not a mix.
- Use a 10 × 10 tray for a smaller first batch.
- Water from below once the cover comes off.
- Give the tray bright light or a simple LED.
- Read microgreen mistakes beginners make before you start.
Once you've grown one easy crop, try a microgreen mix or browse all types of microgreens. Sprouting.com's Microgreen Salad Mix of peas, sunflower, buckwheat and fava is an easy first blend.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest microgreen to grow?
Radish is usually the easiest. It sprouts in a day or two, grows evenly and is ready in about 10 days. Broccoli and pea shoots are close behind.
What is the fastest microgreen to grow?
Cress, radish and mustard are among the fastest, often ready in 7 to 12 days. Pea shoots and sunflower take about 8 to 10 days.
Which microgreens should beginners avoid?
Slow herbs like cilantro, parsley and basil take 2 to 4 weeks and are fussier. Beet and chard sprout unevenly. Try them once you've grown a few easy trays.
Do beginners need a grow light for microgreens?
Not always. A bright, south-facing window can work in summer. In winter or a darker home, a simple LED shop light gives stronger, greener microgreens.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
