Best Microgreens for Beginners
37 microgreen varieties well-suited for beginner gardeners. Forgiving varieties that produce even if you make mistakes.
Alfalfa Microgreens
Commonly used to add flavor and texture to salads and sandwiches. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 2-3 cups of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.
Amaranth Microgreens
Amaranth microgreens are delicate, tender shoots with small rounded cotyledons and fine stems that reach full harvest in 50 days. They display vibrant green coloring with a slightly purplish tinge. These microgreens are prized for their mild, earthy flavor profile with subtle sweetness and mineral undertones, making them ideal for salads, smoothies, and garnishes. Amaranth microgreens pack a nutritional punch with high levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Their defining characteristic is their exceptional tenderness and visual appeal, combined with easy cultivation and minimal pest pressure, making them perfect for both novice and experienced microgreen growers.
Amaranth, Glitter Mix
A beautiful combination of delicate leaves featuring glowing pink and purple stems and leaves blended with a range of copper, orange, and green tones. Even maturity and mild, earthy flavor. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Arugula Microgreens
Arugula microgreens are delicate, tender seedlings featuring deeply lobed, emerald-green leaves with a distinctive peppery bite. Ready to harvest in 10-15 days, they develop their signature intensely spicy, nutty flavor profile while remaining at the microgreen stage. These heirloom varieties offer a concentrated version of mature arugula's peppery notes, making them ideal for garnishing salads, sandwiches, and upscale dishes. The microgreen format provides nutrient density and visual appeal in minimal space, thriving under moderate light or grow lights. Easy to cultivate in seed starting mix or coconut coir, they're an excellent choice for home growers seeking quick, flavorful greens with minimal pest concerns.
Basil, Lemon
Uniform, medium-green leaves with medium texture. Use lemon basil in dishes that call for both basil flavor and a touch of zest. Also an elegant cocktail and dessert garnish. A critical ingredient in many Asian dishes, including those of Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 6.5 gm per tray at approx. 5 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 19 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Beet Microgreens
Beet microgreens are delicate seedlings featuring vibrant deep red or burgundy stems with small green cotyledon leaves, typically ready to harvest in 10-14 days of growth. These tender shoots offer a distinctive sweet and earthy flavor with mild beetroot notes, making them an excellent nutritional addition to salads, smoothie bowls, and plated dishes. The microgreens are prized for their visual appeal and subtle beet flavor that adds complexity without overwhelming delicate dishes. Easy to cultivate under grow lights or bright indirect light, they thrive in rich growing mediums and represent an efficient way to access beet's nutritional benefits in concentrated, tender form.
Broccoli Microgreens
Mildly spicy broccoli flavor. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 1-1 1/2 cups of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.
Buckwheat Microgreens
Buckwheat is widely grown as a grain crop, bee pasture, soil improving cover crop and as wildlife cover. It is a warm season grain which grows rapidly during the summer and several crops per year may be had with proper management. This rapid and dense growth chokes out weeds and is used in crop-free fields in rotation with vegetables. Buckwheat is often grown to attract beneficial insects and as pasture for honey bees. Sow in late May through July and till in about a month later, when flowering has begun. For grain harvest, sow 3 months before fall frost. Harvest after killing frost.
Cabbage Microgreens
Cabbage Microgreens are tender, delicate seedlings harvested at 7-14 days, well before the 68-day full plant maturity. These vibrant green microgreens feature a mild cabbage taste with a fresh, crisp texture and subtle peppery finish. They're prized for their nutrient density and visual appeal in salads, garnishes, and culinary presentations. Easy to grow indoors using fine potting mix or coconut coir, they require 4-6+ hours of light daily. Their key differentiator is rapid harvest time compared to full-sized cabbage, making them ideal for home gardeners and chefs seeking quick, fresh-from-seed produce with concentrated nutritional value.
Carrot
Carrot microgreens are delicate, tender shoots harvested at 16-25 days with mild, naturally sweet carrot flavor minus earthiness. These heirloom varieties feature crisp texture and fresh taste in a compact form ideal for garnishes and salads. Fast-growing and easy to cultivate, carrot microgreens offer concentrated nutrition and distinctive flavor in just 2-3 weeks, making them perfect for home growers seeking quick harvests.
Celosia
Bright green leaves with pink, orange, and yellow veins and stems.
Chervil
Intricate green leaves and stems. A traditional French herb used to flavor egg, potato, fish, and poultry dishes.
Chinese Cabbage, Tokyo Bekana
One of our fastest-growing microgreens! Pale green color blends well and beautifully complements dark green and dark red varieties in mixes. Mild and earthy brassica flavor. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 14 gm per tray at approx. 2 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 10 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Dandelion, Red
Mildly bitter flavor. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 4 gm per tray at approx. 7 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 18 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Kale Microgreens
Kale microgreens are delicate, tender seedlings harvested at 10-14 days, featuring small green leaves with a mild, fresh flavor distinctly softer than mature kale. These nutrient-dense microgreens offer a subtle cabbage note with natural sweetness, making them ideal for salads, sandwiches, and smoothie bowls. Easy to grow indoors under lights or in bright windowsills, they mature quickly compared to their full-size counterparts while maintaining the nutritional benefits kale is known for. Perfect for beginners seeking a simple, rewarding crop.
Leek
Green thread-like leaves. Slower to emerge than scallion or onion microgreens, but otherwise very similar.
Lettuce Microgreens
Lettuce microgreens are tender seedlings harvested at 1-2 inches tall, typically ready within 7-10 days of sprouting. These delicate greens feature soft, pale green leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and buttery texture—distinctly different from mature lettuce. Unlike full-sized lettuce, microgreens are consumed whole, including the stem, delivering concentrated nutrients in a compact form. They excel as salad toppings, sandwich garnishes, and plate decorations, adding visual appeal and gentle flavor without bitterness. Their quick growth cycle and minimal space requirements make them ideal for indoor cultivation and home gardening beginners.
Marigold, Gem
Easy to grow! Spicy flavor with light citrus undertones. Makes a unique dessert garnish. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 4 gm per tray at approx. 7 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 18 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Mild Micro Mix
This blend of mildly flavored brassicas contains mizuna, cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi. Mostly green with a touch of purple. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 11 gm per tray at approx. 2.5 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 13.5 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Mizuna Microgreens
Mizuna microgreens are delicate, feathery seedlings with fine, fern-like foliage that ranges from bright to pale green depending on light exposure. Ready to harvest in 7-14 days, these tender shoots offer a mild peppery bite with subtle mustard undertones and a slightly sweet finish. Their distinctive appearance and complex flavor make them ideal for garnishing salads, Asian dishes, and contemporary plating. Grown on soilless media under indirect light, mizuna microgreens require minimal maintenance and are resistant to pest problems, making them an excellent choice for indoor cultivation.
Mizuna, Red Kingdom
An improvement over Red Rain; darker red true leaves and blushed red cotyledons (first leaves). Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 9.5 gm per tray at approx. 3 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 14.5 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage. AAS Winner.
Mung Bean Microgreens
Popular in Asian cuisine, often stir-fried to accompany meals. 1/4 cup of seed yields approx. 2-3 cups of sprouts. Mung Bean can also be grown in open-flat trays as shoots; harvest as soon as first true leaves open for optimal taste and texture. Very fast maturing with attractive green leaves and pink stems. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.
Pac Choi, Red Choi
Leaves are mostly red with some green. Mild pac choi flavor. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 10.5 gm per tray at approx. 3 flats per oz. of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 13 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Pac Choi, Red Pac
Mild flavor. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 10.5 gm per tray at approx. 3 flats per oz. of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 13 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage.
Pea Shoots
Yellow peas are a great non-GMO protein source and are becoming more prevalent in feed rations with protein percentages ranging from 21-25. They contain high levels of carbohydrates, are low in fiber, and contain 86-87% total digestible nutrients, making them an excellent livestock feed. In spring or fall, sow alone or mixed with vetch and/or oats, winter rye, or ryegrass. Harvest for grain at 16-18% moisture or when the seeds are hardened and fully mature. Inoculate with Garden Combination Inoculant (#7531) or Pea, Vetch, and Lentil Inoculant (#7534) for best performance.
Radish Microgreens
Radish microgreens are young radish plants harvested at 10-14 days of growth, featuring delicate green shoots with characteristic pink or reddish cotyledons (seed leaves). Ready to harvest in approximately 30 days from planting, they deliver an intense, peppery spice that ranges from mild to fiercely hot depending on variety and growing conditions. These heirloom microgreens add vibrant color and bold peppery crunch to salads, sandwiches, soups, and garnishes. Their spicy profile makes them ideal for Asian cuisine and adds complexity to bland dishes. Easy to grow under moderate to bright light with minimal pest pressure, radish microgreens are popular among home and commercial growers seeking quick harvests with maximum flavor impact.
Radish, Daikon
Mild radish flavor. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 1-2 cups of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.
Red Amaranth Microgreens
Red Amaranth Microgreens are vibrant, ruby-red seedlings with delicate cotyledons and slender stems, ready to harvest in 10-14 days under optimal indoor conditions. These tender microgreens feature a mild, earthy flavor with subtle sweetness and a delicate texture that adds visual appeal and nutritional value to salads, sandwiches, and grain bowls. Red amaranth microgreens are prized for their striking color contrast and high nutrient density, including vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. They thrive in soilless or fine potting mix under grow lights with 12-16 hours of daily illumination, making them ideal for year-round indoor cultivation with minimal pest pressure.
Red Cabbage Microgreens
Red Cabbage Microgreens are vibrant purple-red seedlings harvested at 10-14 days for optimal flavor and texture. These tender microgreens feature a mild cabbage taste with subtle peppery undertones and deliver a delicate crunch. They mature quickly, making them ideal for home growers of all skill levels. With their striking deep color and nutrient density, red cabbage microgreens serve as an excellent raw garnish for salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches, adding visual appeal and fresh, crisp flavor to dishes.
Red Clover Microgreens
A tall (2-3'), quick-growing clover. Sow in spring, summer, or fall, alone or with grain/grass. Will grow in more acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.0) than other clovers if lime is applied at seeding time. Widely grown biennial used for Nitrogen addition and hay crops. Large plant with big leaves makes it an ideal grazing crop. Red clover may be the best choice for frost seeding; it is extremely cold hardy and does well in most soils and growing conditions. it does, like most clovers, perform poorly in hot weather unless seeded into a crop canopy. Incorporate fully for best results. Mammoth Red clover will fix between 70-110 lb. nitrogen per acre. The long taproots loosen soils and mine phosphorus and other nutrients from deep in the soil. It should be seeded with 48-64 lb. or 1.5-2 bushels/acre of oats to "nurse" the clover. Inoculate with Alfalfa/True Clover Inoculant (#7535) for best performance. Edible Flowers: The flowers of red clover may be used to garnish drinks, salads, soups, and desserts; the flavor is sweet and mild.
Scallion, Evergreen Hardy White
Green thread-like leaves. Adds delicate pungency where a mild onion flavor is needed.
Sorrel
Sorrel microgreens are delicate, tender shoots harvested at 10 days with bright green cotyledons and thin stems. These heirloom varieties deliver an intense lemony flavor with pronounced acidic tartness, making them ideal for elevating salads, soups, and gourmet plating. Quick-growing and easy to cultivate, they add a distinctive bright, tangy note that distinguishes them from common microgreens.
Sorrel, Red Veined
Add color and flavor contrast to microgreen blends. Same sharp, tangy flavor as regular sorrel. An elegant dessert garnish. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 3.5 gm per tray at approx. 8 flats per oz of seed, for very small leaves.
Spicy Micro Mix
A colorful blend of red and green mustards with various textures. Spicy flavor pairs well with the Mild Micro Mix. Based on our yield trial, we recommend seeding 7.5 gm per tray at approx. 3.5 flats per oz of seed. Avg. days to maturity was 13.5 days when harvested at the first true leaf (as opposed to cotyledon) stage. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Sprouting Mix
Various shades of green leaves and pink and white stems with a crisp, mildly spicy flavor. Mix includes: broccoli, radish, alfalfa, and kale. One tablespoon of seed yields approx. 1 cup of sprouts. All of Johnny's high-germination sprouting seeds have tested negative for the presence of E. coli 0157 and Salmonella.
Tatsoi
Tatsoi is a delicate Asian microgreen variety with distinctive spoon-shaped leaves and tender stems. Ready to harvest in just 10 days, it offers a mild, delicate flavor with a satisfying crunch. The juicy stems and elegant appearance make it a versatile garnish for salads, stir-fries, and Asian dishes. Easy to grow, this heirloom variety thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it ideal for both home gardeners and commercial microgreen production.
Watercress
Watercress microgreens are delicate, tender sprouts with small rounded cotyledons and thin stems, harvested at 10-14 days for optimal flavor. These heirloom microgreens mature quickly in moist indoor conditions, delivering an intensely peppery, slightly spicy bite characteristic of full-sized watercress. Rich in vitamins and minerals, watercress microgreens add a distinctive sharp, fresh zing to salads, sandwiches, and Asian dishes. Their vibrant green color and peppery punch make them a favorite among chefs seeking bold flavor from a compact, nutrient-dense green.
Why These Microgreens Work for Beginners
New to gardening? These varieties are the most forgiving — tolerant of irregular watering, less prone to pests and disease, and quick to produce visible results. Start here to build confidence before attempting more advanced crops.