If you want fast, nutrient-packed greens without a garden, microgreens are your answer. They go from seed to harvest in just 7–14 days, require almost no equipment, and pack far more vitamins and minerals than their full-grown counterparts. Whether you’re a first-time grower or restocking your setup, choosing the right seeds makes all the difference.

Growing your own starts with sourcing quality microgreen seeds. The best ones are untreated, non-GMO, and tested for high germination rates — cheap or old seeds lead to patchy trays and wasted effort. You can buy microgreen seeds online in bulk or in sampler packs, which is a smart move if you’re still figuring out which varieties you enjoy eating and growing.

From sunflower to radish to pea shoots, there’s a wide range of options suited to every taste and skill level. Below, we’ve ranked and reviewed the best microgreen seeds to grow so you know exactly what to order, and what to expect once those seeds hit the soil.

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Best Microgreen Seeds to Grow in 2026

Not all microgreen seeds are created equal. The best ones share a few key traits: high germination rates so you’re not wasting trays, strong flavor payoff, decent yield per tray, and forgiving growth habits that don’t punish beginners. Whether you’re growing for taste, nutrition, or both, these factors separate a productive tray from a frustrating one.

Most of the seed links in this guide point to family-owned small businesses based in the USA, USDA certified. They store every variety in humidity-controlled facilities to protect viability, and all seeds are non-GMO, open-pollinated, and tested for pathogens before they ship. It’s the kind of sourcing that actually matters when you’re eating what you grow.

Broccoli Microgreen Seeds

Cilantro Microgreen Seeds

Basil Microgreen Seeds

Radish Microgreen Seeds

Sunflower Microgreen Seeds

Pea Shoot Microgreen Seeds

Arugula Microgreen Seeds

Kale Microgreen Seeds

Mustard Microgreen Seeds

Wheatgrass Seeds

Amaranth Microgreen Seeds

Cabbage Microgreen Seeds

Fenugreek Microgreen Seeds

Beet Microgreen Seeds

Chia Microgreen Seeds

Buy Multiple Varieties Together

If you’re planning to grow more than one variety, buying seeds individually adds up fast. Most sellers carry bundle options that let you pick up several varieties in one order — less shipping, better value, and everything arrives together so you can start multiple trays at once. It’s the smarter way to stock up, especially if you’re setting up a regular growing rotation.

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Not Sure Where to Start? Try the Salad Mix Pack

If you’d rather not grow each variety separately or you’re still figuring out which seeds you like best, a ready-made salad mix pack is the easiest way in. This blend includes Alfalfa, Radish, Broccoli, and Clover, covering a range of flavors and textures in a single tray. One pack, zero guesswork.

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Organic Microgreen Seeds — Are They Worth It & Where to Buy Them

When it comes to microgreens, the case for going organic is stronger than with most produce. Since you’re eating the entire seedling, not just a fruit or outer leaf, any pesticide residue on a conventionally grown seed ends up directly in your food. Organic microgreen seeds eliminate that concern entirely. Beyond food safety, many growers find that certified organic varieties tend to have cleaner, truer flavor, which matters when you’re eating these greens fresh and uncooked. If you’re going to grow something yourself, it makes sense to start with the best organic microgreen seeds you can find.

Buying organic microgreen seeds in bulk is also worth considering if you grow regularly. Organic certification does add a small premium per packet, but when you buy organic microgreen seeds bulk, the cost per ounce drops significantly and the quality stays exactly the same. For anyone growing more than one tray a week, bulk is almost always the better deal.

Where to Buy Microgreen Seeds Online

The best place to buy microgreen seeds depends on what you prioritize. Specialty seed stores offer deep variety selections and detailed growing notes, but shipping times and minimum orders can be a hassle. Amazon strikes the right balance for most growers — trusted sellers like Sereniseed list their full catalog there, orders arrive fast, and you can read verified reviews before committing to a variety. For anyone who wants to buy microgreen seeds without overthinking it, Amazon is the most practical starting point.

Shop Microgreen Seeds

Buying Microgreen Seeds in Bulk — Is It Worth It?

For casual growers running one tray at a time, a standard packet works fine. But if you’re growing consistently, multiple trays a week, several varieties at once, or supplying a small kitchen or market, bulk microgreen seeds are a straightforward way to cut costs without cutting quality. The price difference is real: what costs a few dollars per ounce in small packets can drop to a fraction of that when you buy in bulk.

Cheap microgreen seeds in bulk don’t have to mean lower quality either. The same certified organic, pathogen-tested seeds sold in small packets are often available in larger quantities from the same sellers. Fast-growing, high-yield varieties like radish, sunflower, and pea shoots are the best candidates to buy in bulk since you’ll go through them quickly. If you’re growing anything beyond a casual hobby, it’s worth doing the cost-per-ounce math — bulk almost always wins.

Shop Bulk Microgreen Seeds

How Many Microgreen Seeds Per Tray?

One of the most common beginner mistakes is over or under-seeding a tray. Too few seeds and you get patchy, uneven growth. Too many and you risk mold, poor airflow, and crowded shoots that struggle to develop properly. The right seeding density depends on the variety, larger seeds like peas and sunflowers need more by weight, while tiny seeds like basil and arugula go a long way with very little.

The table below covers seeding rates for a standard 1020 tray (10×20 inches), which is the most common size for home and small-scale growers. Use these as your baseline and adjust slightly based on your growing medium and environment.

Variety	Seeds per 1020 Tray
Broccoli	25–30g
Cilantro	30–40g
Basil	10–12g
Radish	40–45g
Sunflower	150–170g
Pea Shoots	200–250g
Arugula	10–15g
Kale	25–30g
Mustard	15–20g
Wheatgrass	200–225g
Amaranth	10–15g
Cabbage	25–30g
Fenugreek	50–60g
Beet	25–35g
Chia	15–20g

These numbers are practical starting points, not rigid rules. Once you’ve grown a variety a few times, you’ll develop a feel for the density that works best in your specific setup.

How to Get Microgreen Seeds — What to Look for Before You Buy

Knowing how to get microgreen seeds is one thing — knowing what to look for before you buy is another. The wrong seeds won’t just underperform, they can introduce pathogens into food you’re eating fresh and uncooked. A little label reading goes a long way.

Germination Rate This is the single most important number on any seed listing. Look for varieties with a germination rate of 85% or higher. Anything lower and you’re likely to end up with uneven, patchy trays regardless of how well you grow.

Non-GMO vs Organic These are not the same thing. Non-GMO means the seeds haven’t been genetically modified. Organic means they were grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and are certified to prove it. For microgreens, organic is the higher bar — and the more meaningful one since you’re eating the whole plant.

Untreated Seeds Always check that seeds are untreated. Treated seeds are coated with fungicides or pesticides to protect field crops — fine for farming, not fine for food you’re harvesting in your kitchen within two weeks.

Seed Age Fresh seeds germinate better, full stop. Avoid sellers who don’t list a pack date or harvest year. Older seeds aren’t always dead, but germination rates drop noticeably after one to two years, especially if storage conditions are unknown.

Trusted Suppliers Buy from sellers who are transparent about their sourcing, certifications, and storage practices. USDA certified organic, pathogen-tested, and humidity-controlled storage are the markers worth looking for. Vague listings with no certifications mentioned are usually worth skipping.

Once you have your seeds sorted, the next step is getting your setup right. If you’re new to growing, our Microgreens Grow Guide walks you through everything from tray prep to harvest so your first grow goes smoothly.

When to Plant Microgreen Seeds

One of the biggest advantages of growing microgreens is that there’s no wrong time to start. Since they’re grown indoors in trays, you’re not at the mercy of frost dates, rainfall, or seasonal soil conditions. You can plant microgreen seeds any month of the year and expect consistent results as long as your indoor environment stays reasonably stable.

That said, your light source makes a real difference depending on the season. If you’re growing near a south-facing window, spring and summer give you longer daylight hours and stronger natural light, ideal conditions that produce sturdy, upright shoots with good color. In fall and winter, natural light drops off significantly, and window-grown trays can turn leggy and pale as they stretch toward insufficient light. If you notice this happening, it’s a sign your setup needs a boost.

Grow lights solve the seasonality problem entirely. A basic full-spectrum LED positioned a few inches above your trays gives you consistent light year-round regardless of weather, window direction, or time of year. Most experienced growers run their lights 12–16 hours a day and maintain a steady growing schedule across all seasons without interruption.

Temperature matters too. Most microgreen varieties germinate and grow best between 65–75°F. Rooms that drop significantly at night in winter can slow germination and affect yield, so keep your trays away from cold drafts or exterior walls during colder months.

If you’re thinking about taking your setup a step further, our How to Grow Microgreens the Hydroponic Way guide covers a soil-free growing method that gives you even more control over your environment year-round — and often produces faster, cleaner harvests.

Can You Use Regular Seeds for Microgreens?

Sometimes yes, but not always. The biggest concern is treated seeds — garden seeds are often coated with fungicides or pesticides that have no place on food you’re harvesting and eating within two weeks. As long as the seeds are untreated, non-GMO, and reasonably fresh, many common vegetable varieties like radish, kale, and broccoli will grow just fine as microgreens.

Where it gets more nuanced is cost, quantity, and labeling — and that’s where most beginners make avoidable mistakes. For the full breakdown of when regular seeds work, when they don’t, and how to make the right call for each variety, read our Regular vs. Specialty Seeds guide.

Can You Use the Same Seeds for Sprouts and Microgreens?

In most cases, yes. Many seeds — radish, broccoli, alfalfa, and fenugreek among them — work well for both sprouts and microgreens. The seeds themselves are the same. What changes is the growing method, the environment, and the food safety considerations. Sprouts are grown in water with no growing medium and eaten root and all, which comes with its own hygiene requirements. Microgreens are grown in soil or a growing medium, harvested above the root, and generally considered lower risk.

The more important question is which method suits the variety you want to grow — and that depends on flavor, texture, and how you plan to use them. Our Sprouts vs. Microgreens guide breaks down the full comparison so you can decide which growing method makes more sense for your setup.

What Seeds Should Not Be Used for Microgreens?

Not every seed belongs in a microgreen tray. Tomato and potato seeds come from nightshade plants whose leaves and stems contain solanine — a naturally occurring compound that’s toxic when consumed. Rhubarb is another one to avoid, as its greens contain high levels of oxalic acid. These aren’t edge cases or rare concerns — eating microgreens from these varieties can cause real harm.

Beyond specific toxic varieties, any treated or chemically coated seed is a hard no regardless of the plant. For the full list of seeds to avoid and the reasoning behind each, read our What Seeds Should Not Be Used for Microgreens guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Readings

How to Grow Microgreens at Home: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

What Seeds Should Not Be Used for Microgreens? 11 Toxic Plants Every Grower Must Know