Microgreens are small leafy vegetables that are harvested during the early stages of a plant’s growing cycle. You have probably seen microgreens delicately placed on top of some dishes at fancy restaurants, but you don’t have to be a gourmet chef to use or grow microgreens.
Regular seeds can be used to grow microgreens. However, some companies offer specialty seed mixes for microgreens.
Some types of microgreens are easy to grow at home. Growing microgreens requires very few supplies and little skill depending on the species of plant. In addition, you will be harvesting your microgreens within 10 days to a month of sowing the seed depending on the type of plant.
In addition to being easy to grow, research indicates that microgreens may actually be more nutritious than the full-grown plant. Dr. Qin Wang, who is an associate professor at the University of Maryland at College Park, says his group’s research indicates that microgreens are four to 40 times more concentrated with nutrients than their mature counterparts.
Researchers believe this high nutrient density is due to microgreens being harvested right after germination when all of the nutrients they need to grow are present.
I have started growing microgreens at home. This is a hobby that allows you to grow your own nutritious food and experiment with different flavors for food.
Although the microgreens I have been planting are more “typical” microgreens like radish, pea, and sunflower, I wanted to learn more about the lesser-known microgreens. So I did some research. The list that follows is a summary of my research.
Plant Families
The most popular varieties of microgreens belong to the following families:
- Brassicaceae
- Asteraceae
- Apiaceae
- Amaryllidaceae
- Amaranthaceae
- Cucurbitaceae
The microgreens belonging to each family are described in further detail below.
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae is comprised of a number of commonly consumed vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and several others. The Brassicaceae family is comprised of 372 genera and over 4,000 species.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland at College Park investigated the nutrient content of over 30 species of Brassicaceae. The results indicated that these microgreens were a good source of nutrients such as potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc (Xiao et al., 2016)
Some of the microgreens belonging to the Brassicaceae family include:
Arugula
Arugula, also known as rocket lettuce in the UK, microgreens have the peppery flavor of the mature leaves, but it is more intense.
Arugula microgreens are easy to grow. However, arugula is on the more intermediate side of growing difficulty.
They will grow well in soil or hydroponically. According to Bootstrap Farmer, arugula does a bit better in hydroponics.
Arugula seeds do not need to be soaked prior to planting.
You can expect to harvest your arugula microgreens 5 to 12 days after sowing depending on the seeds you purchase.
Broccoli
Broccoli microgreens have a strong broccoli flavor and are crunchy. The seeds are very small. Broccoli microgreens are great for beginners, especially purple broccoli.
You do not need to soak broccoli seeds before planting. When you plant broccoli microgreens, it is important to add weight to the top of the broccoli seeds so the roots penetrate deep into the growing medium and the shoots grow straight.
Broccoli microgreens can be grown in soil or hydroponically. According to Bootstrap Farmer, they grow better in hydroponics.
You can expect a harvest time between 7 and 14 days depending on the seeds.
Cabbage
Cabbage microgreens are sweet and crunchy. Like other plants in this family, cabbage seeds are small. Cabbage microgreens are easy to grow in soil and hydroponically.
There are several types of cabbage microgreens including green cabbage, red cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and savory cabbage. After searching online stores for cabbage seeds, it appears that red cabbage seeds are the most readily available.
You can expect to harvest broccoli microgreens within 6 to 14 days of sowing the seed.
Collard Greens
Collard greens microgreens have the same taste as the mature plant, but it is more intense. They make a great base for a salad. Collard greens microgreens are very easy to grow hydroponically, but they can be grown in soil.
Collard greens microgreens have a harvest time between 10 and 12 days.
Kale
Kale microgreens have a mild nutty flavor. They are one of the easiest microgreens to grow. Kale microgreens perform equally well in soil as well as hydroponically.
You can expect to harvest kale microgreens 8 to 12 days after sowing the seeds.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a vegetable that is a bulbous vegetable that tastes like a spicy broccoli stem.
Kohlrabi microgreens taste like sweet broccoli. They can be grown in soil or hydroponically.
You can expect to harvest kohlrabi microgreens 8 to 12 days after sowing the seeds.
Mizuna
Mizuna, also known as Japanese mustard greens, is a leafy vegetable that is native to East Asia.
Mizuna microgreens have a mild peppery flavor. Some Mizuna microgreens have a red streak.
They can be grown in soil or hydroponically. However, Bootstrap Farmer states that Mizuna grows better in a hydroponic environment.
You can expect to harvest Mizuna microgreens 5 to 14 days after sowing the seed.
Mustard
In addition to mizuna, which is a type of mustard, there are also a number of other commonly grown mustard microgreens including Osaka Purple, Red Garnet, Red Giant, Southern Giant, Spicy Oriental, Tatsoi, and Wasabi.
The taste will differ by variety. In general, mustard microgreens have a spicy or nutty flavor. Mustard microgreens will grow in soil or hydroponically.
You can expect to harvest mustard microgreens 7 to 12 days after sowing seeds depending on the type of mustard.
Radish
Radish is another one of the most commonly grown microgreens. There are several varieties of edible radish including daikon, white icicle, sparkler, cherry belle, white beauty, french breakfast, early scarlet gold, and fire and ice. You can grow microgreens from any of these edible varieties of radish.
Like the mature bulb, radish microgreens have a peppery taste.
Unlike some of the other microgreens on this list, radish seeds should be soaked for 4-6 hours before planting. They can be grown in soil or hydroponically.
Radish microgreens have a harvest time that ranges from 6 to 12 days depending on the variety.
Cress
Cress is a leafy herb, and cress microgreens are crisp and very peppery. These microgreens are difficult to grow because the seeds will have a very low germination rate if overwatered.
Cress can be grown in soil or hydroponically, but they do a bit better in hydroponics.
Cress has a harvest time between 8 and 12 days. Ideally, you should harvest cress about 10 days after sowing the seed.
Watercress
Watercress is an aquatic leafy plant that grows in cool, shallow streams. It is an ancient green that was a staple in Roman soldiers’ diets.
These microgreens have a sharp, peppery taste. Once watercress flowers, it turns bitter.
Watercress is one of the most difficult microgreens to grow and is not suitable for beginners. This is because it is very sensitive to overwatering at germination.
You can expect a harvest time between 8 and 12 days.
Asteraceae
Asteraceae, which is commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, is comprised of a wide variety of flowering plants. It is one of the largest plant families with over 32,000 species.
Some of the common microgreens belonging to this family include:
Chicory
Chicory microgreens have a mild, bitter flavor. They have a pale green color that compliments the dark greens and reds of other leafy vegetables in a salad.
Unlike some other types of microgreens, chicory does not have a blackout time.
Chicory has a harvest time between 16 and 24 days.
Endive
Like chicory, endive also has a mildly bitter flavor. It can be grown in soil or hydroponically. However, if you want your endive to grow to the baby green stage, it is better to plant them in soil. In contrast, it is better to grow endive hydroponically for microgreens.
You can expect a harvest time between 8 and 15 days for endive microgreens.
Lettuce
Depending on the mix you select, lettuce microgreens will either have a mild flavor or a slightly spicy flavor. Lettuce microgreens are beginner-friendly, and they can be grown in soil or hydroponically.
The harvest time for lettuce microgreens depends on the seed variety. In general, you can expect to harvest your lettuce microgreens 14 to 16 days after sowing the seeds. You can also allow your lettuce microgreens to grow to the baby green stage which occurs about 21 days after sowing the seed.
Avoid exposing your lettuce microgreens to too much heat or humidity.
Sunflower
Sunflower is one of the most popular types of microgreens and is one of the best types of microgreens for beginners to grow. They taste like raw sunflower seeds and have a nutty flavor.
This type of microgreen grows best in soil or coco coir. The seeds must also be soaked prior to planting.
Some people purchase sunflower seeds that are meant for bird feeders in order to grow microgreens. If you are planning to do this, remember that this type of seed is not rated for human consumption. It is better to purchase black oil sunflower seeds or another variety that is made for humans to eat.
Sunflower microgreens have a harvest time between 7 and 10 days.
Apiaceae
Apiaceae, which is also known as umbellifers, is another family comprised of over 3,700 flowering plants. Unlike Asteraceae, plants in this family tend to have flowers arranged in clusters rather than a single flower head.
Carrot
Like other types of microgreens, carrot microgreens taste like the mature plant (the root). If you like carrots, you will probably enjoy eating carrot microgreens.
Carrot microgreens grow well in soil or hydroponically. However, they grow much slower on mats.
Carrot microgreens have a longer harvest time than most other types of microgreens. You can expect a harvest time between 14 and 28 days depending on the seed variety.
Celery
Celery microgreens taste like celery. They are grown from very small seeds. Celery microgreens are not very easy to grow, so I do not recommend them for beginners. However, soaking the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours greatly increases the chance of the seeds germinating.
Celery microgreens grow best in hydroponics.
Like carrot microgreens, celery also grows very slowly. You can expect a harvest time between 3 and 5 weeks for celery microgreens.
Dill
As you might expect, dill microgreens have that zesty flavor that is characteristic of dill. It goes well with dishes containing potatoes, fish, or eggs.
You can expect a harvest time between 12 and 30 days for dill microgreens.
Fennel
Fennel microgreens have a mild anise flavor. This microgreen has a delicate appearance which makes it a great garnish.
Fennel is an easy microgreen to grow, and it grows best in soil. However, you can grow it hydroponically.
You can expect to harvest fennel as early as 12 days after sowing the seeds.
Parsley
Parsley microgreens have a mild parsley flavor. Flat-leaf parsley is one of the easiest microgreens to grow because it has a high germination rate.
These microgreens can be grown in soil or in hydroponics. However, parsley does grow better in soil.
Parsley microgreens have a harvest time between 21 and 30 days.
Amaryllidaceae
The Amaryllidaceae family is comprised of primarily of herbaceous and bulbous flowering plants.
This family includes over 1,600 plants primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The microgreens presented below belong to a subfamily called Allioideae.
Chives
Chive microgreens have a juicy onion taste. They are delicious on salads, burgers, and mashed potatoes.
Unlike many other microgreens, you can actually harvest chive microgreens multiple times.
These microgreens can be grown in soil or hydroponically, but they grow better in soil.
Chive microgreens do grow more slowly. They have a harvest time between 2 and 4 weeks.
Onion
Onion microgreens have a strong onion flavor. Accord to True Leaf Market, onion microgreens should be grown in soil.
You can expect to harvest onion microgreens 14 to 21 days after sowing seeds.
Leek
Leek microgreens also taste like onions. They look like miniature chives.
These microgreens can be grown in soil or hydroponically. However, leek microgreens grow better in hydroponics.
Leek microgreens have a harvest time of 12 days.
Amaranthaceae
Amaranthaceae is a family of plants comprised of about 2,500 species of herbs and subshrubs. Many of the plants that belong to this family can tolerate saline soils.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a group of more than 60 species of grain. These grains are considered pseudocereals meaning they are not a true cereal grain like oats. Humans have been eating amaranth for thousands of years.
Amaranth microgreens have a mild earthy flavor. They are not particularly spicy like mustard. What distinguishes amaranth from other microgreens is its deep red color.
These microgreens are not among the easiest to grow. They sensitive to direct light. You can grow amaranth in soil or hydroponically, but growing amaranth in soil is a little easier.
You can expect a harvest time between 8 and 12 days for amaranth microgreens depending on the variety.
Beets
Beet microgreens taste like a mixture between beets and spinach. These microgreens have brilliantly red stems that can add a pop of color to your food.
Some popular varieties of beet microgreens include Detroit Dark Red and Bull’s Blood.
Beet microgreens are easy to grow and do better in soil.
You can expect a harvest time between 11 and 21 days depending on the variety of beer microgreens you are growing.
Quinoa
Quinoa sprouts are more popular than quinoa microgreens, but you can grow quinoa microgreens.
You can actually grow quinoa microgreens from the seeds you buy at the grocery store. However, the seeds should be unwashed or prewashed rather than polished.
If you grow quinoa from store-bought seeds, just make sure you wash the seeds to ensure there are no saponins (a toxin) from the seed coating on the microgreens.
Cucurbitaceae
The Cucurbitaceae family, which is also known as the gourd family of flowering plants. It is comprised of about 975 species of plants native to temperate and tropical areas.
Some Cucurbitaceae microgreens are described below.
Cucumber
Cucumber microgreens have a light cucumber flavor. This microgreen would be a great addition to any fish dish.
These microgreens are easy to grow and can be harvested 7 to 12 days after planting.
Lamiaceae
The Lamiaceae is a family of flowering plants commonly known as the mint family or sage family. It is comprised of Plants belonging to this family tend to be aromatic and include many of the widely used culinary herbs.
Basil
Basil microgreens have a strong basil flavor. They are among the most difficult microgreens to grow.
This type of microgreen grows well in soil or in hydroponic systems. However, they grow better in hydroponics. Baby greens grow better in soil.
Basil microgreens have a harvest time between 12 and 16 days.
Legumes (Leguminosae)
The Leguminosae family is also known as the legume family, pea, and bean family. It is comprised of nearly 20,000 species of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs.
Chickpeas
Chickpea has a sweet, nutty flavor, and it is an easy microgreen to grow. It is important to note that chickpea seeds are susceptible to mold. Therefore, be careful not to oversoak the seeds.
These types of microgreens have a harvest time between 8 and 12 days.
Peas
Pea shoot microgreens have a sweet, fresh flavor and are the second most popular microgreen (after sunflower microgreens). Pea shoot microgreens can be grown hydroponically or in soil. However, they do a little bit better in soil.
These microgreens have a harvest time between 12 and 16 days.