While you can experiment with dozens of microgreen types, some are easier and more foolproof for beginners. Generally, fast-growing, vigorous seeds that don’t have special requirements are ideal to start with. Here are a few tried-and-true microgreens that homesteaders love and what to expect from each variety.
Top 5 Easiest to Grow Microgreens Varieties
Radish:
One of the easiest and fastest microgreens you can grow. Radish seeds germinate in a day or two, and the microgreens are often ready to harvest in as little as 6-10 days. They have a bold, peppery flavor identical to full-size radish roots and usually gorgeous pinkish-purple stems with green leaves.
Radishes are very forgiving—they tolerate cooler temperatures well and tend to resist mold. If you’re brand new, radish microgreens are a confidence booster. (Popular varieties: China Rose radish, Daikon radish, and Rambo purple radish.)
Broccoli:
Mild, tender, and nutrition-packed broccoli microgreens are another top choice for beginners. They’re ready in about 8-12 days and have a subtle cabbage-like or broccoli flavor that works with any dish.
Broccoli microgreens are hailed for their health benefits – they’re rich in vitamins (like C, K, and E) and compounds like sulforaphane, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They grow easily and are a staple microgreen for many home growers. If you want an all-purpose, kid-friendly microgreen, broccoli is it.
Sunflower:
Sunflower shoots are fantastic if you want a more substantial, crunchy microgreen. These come from black oil sunflower seeds (the kind used for birdseed, but make sure you buy food-grade!). Soak them before planting for best results. Sunflower microgreens take a bit longer (12-14 days) and need a little more attention to avoid mold on the hulled seeds, but they reward you with thick, juicy stems and leaves that taste nutty, like sunflower seeds in a leafy form.
Sunflower microgreens are great as snacks on their own or in salads and sandwiches. They prefer slightly warmer temperatures to germinate and bright light to grow stout. Once you get the basics down, sunflower shoots are extremely popular among microgreen enthusiasts.
Pea Shoots:
These are grown from pea seeds (often speckled or field peas). Pea shoots are also larger microgreens, usually harvested about 3-5 inches tall. They show multiple leaves and vine-like tendrils. They have a wonderfully sweet, fresh pea flavor – like eating springtime.
Pea seeds should be soaked overnight before planting to improve germination. They can take 10-14 days to reach harvest stage. They like cool conditions (they’re unique and can grow well in slightly cooler rooms around 65°F).
Beginners love pea shoots because they’re robust and tend to grow tall without much fuss. Just give them a little more vertical space. Snip them when they’re young and tender; if you leave them longer, they can get fibrous.
Mustard:
For a zesty kick, mustard microgreens are easy and quick growers. Varieties like Mizuna, red, or yellow mustard sprout in 1-2 days and are ready to cut in 6-10 days. They have a strong mustardy bite—great for spicing salads or sandwiches.
Mustard is in the same family as broccoli and radish and is generally just as simple to grow. The leaves can be green or deep purple (in red mustard’s case), adding visual appeal. Because of their fast growth, they don’t invite mold problems and can tolerate being grown in lower light (though they might get slightly taller). If you like arugula’s flavor, you’ll enjoy mustard microgreens.
Other Microgreen Varieties
Other easy microgreens to try include arugula, kale, kohlrabi, cabbage, tatsoi (an Asian green), and beet (beet has stunning red stems). Many University extension programs list arugula, radish, broccoli, kale, and mustard among the “fast and easy“ microgreen choices.
Slower or more finicky ones (for example, cilantro, basil, or chard) might be better to attempt after you’ve done a couple of batches. But don’t let that stop you from experimenting – part of the fun is trying new varieties.
You can even buy microgreen seed mixes that combine compatible seeds for a colorful harvest. One of our favorites is True Leaf Markets Spicy Salad Mix.
All the varieties mentioned here should thrive using the general method we described. As you expand, you’ll learn subtle differences (for instance, basil prefers a solid medium and a bit more heat, cilantro likes a 1-day soak and cooler temps, etc.).
The core technique for growing all microgreen varieties is similar. Starting with the “easy five” (radish, broccoli, sunflower, pea, mustard) will build your confidence and fill your plate with a nice range of flavors and textures.
Which one are you going to try first?
Read More in this Series:
A Beginner Guide to Growing Microgreens
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