When new growers ask me where to start with microgreens, I always steer them toward the varieties that are hardest to kill. That sounds blunt, but it matters. Nothing discourages a beginner faster than watching a tray of seeds rot, mold over, or just sit there doing nothing for two weeks. The varieties on this list are forgiving. They germinate reliably, grow fast, and produce enough volume to feel like a genuine harvest — not just a science experiment.

I have ranked these based on a combination of ease of growing, speed to harvest, and how satisfying the results are when you actually eat them. If you have never grown a single microgreen before, start with the top three and work your way down.

What Are the Easiest Microgreens for Beginners to Grow?

The three most forgiving varieties for first-time growers are sunflower, pea shoots, and radish. Sunflower and pea shoots use large seeds that are easy to handle and soak, germinate visibly within 2-3 days, and produce tall, substantial greens that feel like real food. Radish is the speed champion — ready in under a week — and it tolerates a wide range of conditions without complaint. If you can grow any one of these three successfully, you can grow all ten on this list.

1. Sunflower

Days to harvest: 9-12 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Nutty, crunchy, substantial

Sunflower microgreens are my top recommendation for absolute beginners. The black oil sunflower seeds are large enough to handle easily, they soak overnight and germinate within 2-3 days, and the resulting greens are thick, tall, and satisfying to eat. The nutty flavor and crunchy texture make them a legitimate salad ingredient, not just a garnish. Soak seeds for 8-12 hours before planting, use a weight on top during the blackout period (3-4 days) to help shed the hulls, and harvest when the first true leaves start to emerge.

2. Pea Shoots

Days to harvest: 8-10 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Sweet, tender, fresh

Pea shoots produce long, elegant tendrils with a sweet flavor that appeals to everyone — including kids and people who think they do not like greens. Use whole dried peas (speckled or green field peas work great), soak 8-12 hours, and plant densely. Pea shoots grow tall quickly and can even give you a second cutting if you harvest above the lowest node. They are the most versatile cooking microgreen — good raw, lightly sauteed, or tossed into pasta.

3. Radish

Days to harvest: 5-7 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Sharp, peppery, vibrant

The fastest microgreen you can grow. Radish seeds germinate in under 48 hours and reach harvest size in 5-7 days — sometimes faster in warm conditions. Red Rambo and China Rose varieties add stunning pink-magenta color to the stems. The spicy, peppery kick is more concentrated than mature radish and pairs perfectly with sandwiches, tacos, and egg dishes. No soaking required — just scatter dry seeds densely on moist medium and go.

4. Broccoli

Days to harvest: 6-10 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Mild, slightly peppery

Broccoli microgreens are the variety that nutritional researchers love to study. They contain high concentrations of sulforaphane, a glucosinolate compound that has been the subject of extensive health research. The flavor is milder than you would expect — a gentle, slightly peppery taste that blends well into smoothies and salads. Easy to grow but keep airflow strong to prevent damping-off in humid conditions.

5. Red Cabbage

Days to harvest: 6-10 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Mild peppery, with vivid purple color

Red cabbage microgreens deliver striking purple-green color contrast and a mild, slightly peppery flavor. USDA research found they contain roughly six times the vitamin C of mature red cabbage per gram. They grow at a similar pace to broccoli microgreens and share the same basic technique. The visual impact makes them a favorite for anyone who photographs their food.

6. Wheatgrass

Days to harvest: 7-10 | Difficulty: Easy | Flavor: Sweet, grassy

Wheatgrass is technically a grass, not a microgreen, but it grows in the same trays with the same methods. The sweet, grassy juice is a staple at smoothie bars. Grow it the same way as other microgreens — soak the hard red winter wheat berries overnight, spread on moist medium, and harvest with scissors when the blades are 6-7 inches tall. Wheatgrass is nearly indestructible and tolerates poor light better than most varieties.

7. Cilantro

Days to harvest: 10-14 | Difficulty: Medium | Flavor: Citrusy, bright, concentrated

Cilantro is the first variety on this list that requires a bit more patience. The split coriander seeds germinate slowly and unevenly compared to radish or sunflower. Gently crush the round seed husks before soaking to improve germination rates. The payoff is worth the wait — cilantro microgreens taste like concentrated citrusy cilantro without the stringy stems of the mature plant. Soak 8-12 hours, expect slow germination (4-6 days), and be patient.

8. Basil

Days to harvest: 12-16 | Difficulty: Medium | Flavor: Aromatic, sweet, concentrated

Basil microgreens are aromatic and intensely flavored — more concentrated than mature basil leaves. The catch: basil seeds are tiny and mucilaginous (they form a gel coating when wet), which makes them trickier to spread evenly. Do not soak basil seeds; mist them lightly after spreading on your medium. They also need warmer temperatures (70°F+) and take longer to reach harvest. The extra time and care are rewarded with a microgreen that smells incredible and tastes even better.

9. Arugula

Days to harvest: 5-7 | Difficulty: Medium | Flavor: Peppery, tangy, bold

Arugula grows almost as fast as radish and delivers that characteristic peppery bite. I rate it medium difficulty because the tiny seeds are hard to distribute evenly and the delicate stems can collapse if overwatered. Good airflow is essential — arugula is prone to damping-off in still, humid conditions. But if you manage the moisture, you get a fast, flavorful crop that works beautifully on pizza, in salads, or on sandwiches.

10. Amaranth

Days to harvest: 8-12 | Difficulty: Medium | Flavor: Earthy, mildly beet-like

Amaranth closes the list as the most visually dramatic microgreen a beginner can grow. Red garnet amaranth produces magenta stems and leaves that look stunning on any plate. The earthy, faintly beet-like flavor is unique among microgreens. The seeds are extremely small (almost dust-like), so spreading them evenly takes practice. Mist gently — heavy watering washes the seeds into clumps. Once established, amaranth is reliable and rewarding.

Quick-Reference Planting Table

Rank	Variety	Days to Harvest	Difficulty	Soak Seeds?	Flavor	Best Use
1	Sunflower	9-12	Easy	Yes (8-12 hrs)	Nutty, crunchy	Salads, sandwiches, bowls
2	Pea Shoots	8-10	Easy	Yes (8-12 hrs)	Sweet, tender	Salads, stir-fry, pasta
3	Radish	5-7	Easy	No	Sharp, peppery	Tacos, eggs, sandwiches
4	Broccoli	6-10	Easy	No	Mild, peppery	Smoothies, salads
5	Red Cabbage	6-10	Easy	No	Mild peppery	Salads, garnish, photography
6	Wheatgrass	7-10	Easy	Yes (8-12 hrs)	Sweet, grassy	Juicing, smoothies
7	Cilantro	10-14	Medium	Yes (8-12 hrs)	Citrusy, bright	Tacos, ceviche, curries
8	Basil	12-16	Medium	No (mist only)	Aromatic, sweet	Pizza, caprese, pesto
9	Arugula	5-7	Medium	No	Peppery, tangy	Pizza, salads, sandwiches
10	Amaranth	8-12	Medium	No	Earthy, beet-like	Fine dining garnish, salads

Start with the top three — sunflower, pea shoots, radish. Grow one tray of each. By the time you harvest those, you will understand the rhythm of microgreen growing: soak (if needed), seed, blackout, uncover, water, harvest. Everything after that is just variation on the same theme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment do I need to start growing microgreens?

At minimum: two 10x20-inch trays (one with drainage holes, one without to catch water), a bag of seed-starting mix or coconut coir, seeds, a spray bottle, and a light source. A basic LED shop light works fine — you do not need expensive grow lights for microgreens. Total startup cost is roughly $20-$40, not counting seeds.

Do microgreens need sunlight or grow lights?

Microgreens need light after the initial blackout/germination period (typically 3-5 days), but they do not need intense light. A south-facing windowsill works for small batches. For consistent results, a basic LED light positioned 4-6 inches above the trays for 12-16 hours per day produces the best color and sturdiest stems.

How often should I water microgreens?

Bottom-water once or twice daily by adding water to the solid tray underneath your growing tray. The medium should stay consistently moist but never waterlogged. Overwatering is the number one cause of mold and damping-off in microgreens, especially with dense-seeded varieties like broccoli and arugula. If the surface looks shiny wet, skip a watering.

Can I reuse microgreen soil after harvesting?

You can compost spent microgreen medium and root mats, but do not reuse it directly for another tray. The root mat can harbor mold spores, bacteria, and seed remnants that cause problems for the next crop. Composted microgreen medium makes an excellent soil amendment for outdoor garden beds after it has fully broken down.