Best Microgreens Seeds: A Complete Guide for Home Growers
Introduction
Recently, more and more people are getting excited about growing microgreens at home. It’s amazing to see how these tiny plants that were once found only in fancy restaurants are now popping up in many Indian kitchens. Not just home cooks, but many working professionals are also trying their hand at growing these nutritious greens.
The thing is, growing good microgreens starts with picking the right seeds. Many new growers make the mistake of using any seeds they can find, but the best microgreens seeds make a huge difference in how well your plants grow. Some seeds grow faster, some taste better, and others are packed with more nutrients.
This guide will help you understand everything about choosing seeds for your microgreen garden. We’ll look at which seeds are perfect for beginners, how to store them properly, and where to buy them without spending too much money. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which seeds to pick for starting your own microgreen garden, whether you want to grow them just for your family or maybe start a small business from home.
Understanding Microgreen Seeds
Not all seeds work well for growing microgreens, and there’s a good reason for this. The best microgreens seeds are the ones that can grow quickly and give lots of leaves in just a few days. According to experienced grower Rajesh Kumar from Chennai, “The seeds must have good germination rate – at least 85% or higher. Otherwise, you’ll end up with patches of empty spaces in your tray.”
Regular garden seeds are different from microgreen seeds in a few important ways. First, microgreen seeds are usually sold without any chemical treatments or coatings. They’re also tested specifically for fast growth and harvesting at a young age, while regular seeds are meant for growing full plants. Plus, when you buy microgreen seeds, you get more seeds in each packet because you need to plant them quite close together.
When buying seeds for microgreens, look for these quality signs:
- The seeds should be clean and uniform in size
- There shouldn’t be any broken pieces or dust in the packet
- The packet must have a recent packing date (not older than 1 year)
- Seeds should feel dry and not stick together
- The supplier should mention the germination rate
Many local gardeners often ask about using regular vegetable seeds for microgreens. While it’s possible, it’s better to spend a bit more money on proper microgreen seeds. They cost around Rs. 200-400 per 100g ($2.5-5), but the results are much better and more reliable.
Top 10 Best Microgreens Seed types for Beginners
For people just starting with microgreens, here’s a simple table showing the easiest seeds to grow:
| Seed Type | Growth Time | Difficulty | Approx Market Price per 100g (may vary from supplier to supplier) |
| Mustard | 7-10 days | Very Easy | Rs. 150 ($2) |
| Radish | 8-10 days | Very Easy | Rs. 200 ($2.5) |
| Coriander | 12-14 days | Easy | Rs. 250 ($3) |
| Green Pea | 10-12 days | Easy | Rs. 180 ($2.2) |
| Sunflower | 8-12 days | Easy | Rs. 300 ($3.8) |
| Fenugreek | 8-10 days | Very Easy | Rs. 160 ($2) |
| Amaranth | 8-12 days | Medium | Rs. 400 ($5) |
| Basil | 12-15 days | Medium | Rs. 450 ($5.6) |
| Beetroot | 10-12 days | Easy | Rs. 250 ($3) |
| Spinach | 10-14 days | Medium | Rs. 300 ($3.8) |
Let’s look at each of these seeds in detail:
- Mustard: Perfect for absolute beginners. These seeds grow super fast and don’t need much attention. The leaves have a nice spicy kick that goes well in sandwiches and salads. They’re full of vitamin C and antioxidants. Almost every seed sprouts, making them great value for money.
- Radish: Another beginner-friendly option that’s nearly impossible to mess up. The leaves have a mild peppery taste, much gentler than full-grown radishes. They’re ready to harvest when you see the first two leaves, and they’re packed with vitamin E and minerals.
- Coriander: These take a bit longer but are worth the wait. The microgreens taste just like regular coriander but stronger. They’re excellent for garnishing curries and chaats. They’re rich in iron and good for digestion too.
- Green Pea: The seeds are bigger, so they’re easier to handle when planting. They have a sweet, fresh taste like raw peas. These microgreens are protein-rich and quite filling. They grow well even in slightly cooler weather.
- Sunflower: These seeds give you lots of greens and have a nutty, fresh taste. They’re one of the most filling microgreens and are full of protein and healthy fats. Just make sure to soak them properly before planting.
The rest of these seeds are also good for beginners, but they need a bit more care. Basil needs warmer temperatures to grow well, amaranth seeds are tiny and need careful watering, and spinach might grow a bit slower than others. But don’t worry – even if you make some mistakes, these seeds are pretty forgiving.
Remember, the best microgreens seeds for beginners are the ones that grow quickly and don’t need special care. Start with mustard or radish, and once you get confident, try the others. Many growers in India start with fenugreek because it’s easily available and grows well in our climate.
Advanced Microgreen Varieties
Once you’re comfortable with the basic varieties, you might want to try some fancy microgreens that can really impress your family and friends. These special varieties need more attention but give unique flavors and beautiful colors to your dishes.
| Advanced Seed | Special Care Needed | Approx market Price per 100g | Unique Feature |
| Purple Kohlrabi | Temperature control | Rs. 600 ($7.5) | Purple stems |
| Wasabi Mustard | Humidity management | Rs. 800 ($10) | Strong Japanese flavor |
| Red Garnet Amaranth | Light control | Rs. 750 ($9.5) | Deep red color |
| Lemon Balm | Precise watering | Rs. 900 ($11) | Citrus scent |
| Shiso | Warm environment | Rs. 1000 ($12.5) | Japanese herb |
These special varieties need extra care, but they’re worth the effort. Take shiso, for example. It’s a Japanese herb that many high-end restaurants use, and it costs about Rs. 500 per small bunch in the market. Growing it as microgreens at home can save you good money if you like Asian cooking.
Some important things to remember for these advanced varieties:
- Keep the temperature between 20-25°C (68-77°F)
- Use a spray bottle for watering to avoid damaging delicate seeds
- Check on them twice a day – morning and evening
- Some need complete darkness for the first 3-4 days
- Most take 15-20 days to harvest, longer than basic varieties
A lot of growers give up on these special seeds because they’re expensive. But here’s a tip: start with a small packet (about 25g) first. Test if you can grow them well and if your family likes the taste. Many suppliers now offer small trial packs for Rs. 200-300, which is perfect for testing these fancy varieties.
Best Microgreens seeds available in Market
1. Mustard Microgreens Seeds
2. Raddish Microgreens Seeds
3. Coriander Microgreens Seeds
4. Green Pea Microgreens Seeds
4. Sunflower Microgreens Seeds
6. Fenugreek Microgreens Seeds
7. Amaranth Microgreens Seeds
8. Basil Microgreens Seeds
9. Beetroot Microgreens Seeds
10. Spinach Microgreens Seeds
Seasonal Growing Guide
Growing microgreens year-round in India needs some planning because of our different seasons. Here’s a simple breakdown of what works best in each season:
Summer (March-June):
- Grow indoors in a well-ventilated space
- Best choices: Amaranth, Basil, Sunflower
- Keep trays away from windows during peak heat
- Water twice daily, using room temperature water
- Ideal room temperature: 24-28°C
Monsoon (July-September):
- Indoor growing recommended to avoid fungus problems
- Best choices: Mustard, Radish, Pea shoots
- Use a fan for air circulation
- Reduce watering frequency
- Keep humidity below 65% if possible
Winter (October-February):
- Can grow both indoors and outdoors
- Best choices: Fenugreek, Coriander, Spinach
- Water once daily, preferably in the morning
- If growing outdoors, protect from harsh winter winds
- Ideal temperature: 18-24°C
Indoor vs Outdoor Tips:
Indoor growing is more reliable but needs:
- A well-lit area (morning sunlight is best)
- Good air circulation
- Space on a kitchen counter or near a window
Outdoor growing is cheaper but watch out for:
- Rain damage during monsoon
- Birds eating seeds
- Temperature changes
- Direct afternoon sun
Most people in apartments stick to indoor growing throughout the year. It’s easier to control the growing conditions, and you don’t have to worry about weather changes or pest problems. Plus, having your microgreen garden in the kitchen means you’re more likely to use them regularly in your cooking.
Seed Storage and Preparation
Proper storage of your microgreen seeds is super important, especially in India where heat and humidity can spoil them quickly. Keep your seeds in an airtight container – those steel dabbas with tight lids work really well. Many growers make the mistake of storing seeds in the plastic packets they come in, but that’s not good enough for our climate.
Storage Tips:
- Keep seeds in a cool, dark place
- Add a small silica gel packet in the container
- Store different seeds separately
- Write the purchase date on the container
- Best storage temperature: 20-22°C
Before sowing your seeds, some need special preparation. Here’s a quick guide:
Soaking Times:
- Large seeds (peas, sunflower): 8-12 hours
- Medium seeds (fenugreek, coriander): 4-6 hours
- Small seeds (mustard, amaranth): No soaking needed
For cleaning seeds before planting, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar in 1 cup of water. Dip the seeds in this solution for 5 minutes, then rinse well with clean water. This simple step helps prevent mold problems, which is quite common in our weather.
Remember to prepare only the amount of seeds you plan to use. Once seeds are soaked, they need to be planted within 24 hours. Many beginners soak too many seeds at once and waste them because they couldn’t plant them in time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When starting with microgreens, even experienced gardeners sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common problems to watch out for:
Buying Mistakes: Going for the cheapest seeds is probably the biggest mistake new growers make. Recently, a friend bought a huge packet of radish seeds for Rs. 100 ($1.25), but hardly any of them sprouted. It’s better to spend Rs. 250 on quality seeds that actually grow than waste time and effort on poor ones.
Storage Blunders: Many people store their seeds in the fridge thinking it will keep them fresh longer. But taking them in and out creates moisture problems. Another common mistake is keeping seeds in their original paper packets. In our humid weather, they can get spoiled within weeks.
Growing Errors:
- Using old seeds from the kitchen shelf
- Soaking small seeds that don’t need it
- Overcrowding the growing tray
- Using garden soil instead of proper growing medium
The good thing is, most of these mistakes are easy to fix. Start with small quantities, learn from each batch, and soon you’ll be growing perfect microgreens every time.
Success Tips and Best Practices
Getting good results with microgreens isn’t rocket science. Here are some tried-and-tested tips from successful home growers:
Start Strong:
- Test new seeds by sprouting 10-15 of them first
- Keep your growing area clean and organized
- Use fresh growing medium for each batch
- Set reminders on your phone for watering times
Keep Track:
Many successful growers maintain a simple diary noting:
- Sowing date
- First sprout appearance
- Harvest date
- Which varieties worked best
- Problems faced
One clever tip from a Bangalore grower: Take photos of each batch on your phone. This helps you compare different growing cycles and spot problems early. You can even add these photos to your notes.
Remember, consistency is key. Once you find a method that works for you, stick to it. Small changes in your growing routine can make a big difference in your results.
Conclusion
Growing microgreens at home is a rewarding journey that starts with choosing the best microgreens seeds for your needs. Whether you’re just starting with easy varieties like mustard and radish, or ready to try advanced options like shiso and purple kohlrabi, the key is to start small and learn as you grow.
Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
