How Long Do Microgreens Take to Grow? A Variety-by-Variety Guide
From 6-day radish to 14-day sunflowers — here's exactly how long each microgreen variety takes to grow, plus tips for faster harvests.
One of the most common questions we get is: "How long do microgreens take to grow?" The answer depends on the variety, but in general, you're looking at 7 to 14 days from seed to harvest. That's fresh, homegrown, nutrient-dense greens in less than two weeks.
Microgreen Growing Timeline: Quick Reference
| Variety | Soak? | Blackout | Harvest | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radish (all types) | No | 3–4 days | 7–10 days | Easy |
| Broccoli | No | 3–4 days | 8–12 days | Easy |
| Kale | No | 3–4 days | 8–12 days | Easy |
| Pea Shoots | Yes (8–12hr) | 3–4 days | 8–14 days | Easy |
| Sunflower | Yes (8–12hr) | 3–4 days | 10–14 days | Moderate |
| Red Cabbage | No | 3–4 days | 8–12 days | Easy |
| Beetroot | Yes (8–12hr) | 4–5 days | 10–16 days | Moderate |
| Ruby Chard | No | 3–4 days | 10–14 days | Easy |
Understanding the Stages
Stage 1: Germination (Days 1–3)
Seeds absorb water and begin to crack open. Large seeds (peas, sunflowers) benefit from pre-soaking to speed this up. During this stage, seeds should be in darkness (blackout) with consistent moisture.
Stage 2: Blackout Growth (Days 3–5)
Seedlings push upward in the dark, developing their initial stems. This is when using a weight on varieties like peas creates stronger, thicker stems. The shoots will be pale yellow at this stage — that's normal.
Stage 3: Greening Up (Days 5–7)
After removing the cover and exposing to light, seedlings rapidly turn green through photosynthesis. Growth accelerates as the plants start producing their own energy from light.
Stage 4: Leaf Development (Days 7–14)
The cotyledon (seed) leaves fully open and some varieties begin developing their first true leaves. This is the harvest window — you want to catch them with open cotyledon leaves, just as (or just before) true leaves appear.
Factors That Affect Growing Time
- Temperature: Warmer (20–24°C) = faster. Cooler (15–18°C) = slower by 2–3 days
- Light: More light = faster, healthier growth after blackout
- Seed quality: Fresh, high-quality seeds germinate more evenly and quickly
- Season: Summer grows are faster than winter grows in most Australian homes
- Pre-soaking: Soaking large seeds cuts 1–2 days off germination time
Tips for the Fastest Harvest
- Start with radish — it's consistently the fastest at 7–10 days
- Keep temperatures at 20–24°C for optimal growth speed
- Provide 14–16 hours of light during the growing phase
- Soak large seeds the night before to speed germination
- Stagger your trays — start a new tray every 3–4 days for continuous harvest
Stagger Planting for Continuous Harvest
Once you've got the timing down, the real game-changer is stagger planting. Start a new tray every 3–4 days, and you'll always have fresh microgreens ready to harvest. Three trays in rotation is usually enough for a household that uses microgreens daily.
Ready to start your first tray? Browse our microgreen seeds and complete growing kits.