Microgreens are highly profitable crops you can grow indoors with minimal space and resources. These young vegetable greens are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them popular among chefs, health enthusiasts, and home gardeners.

In this guide, I explore the ten best microgreens to grow for profit and provide comprehensive instructions on how to grow and care for each indoors.

The 10 Best Microgreens to Grow for Profit

Without further ado, here are the best microgreens to grow for profit with minimal space and less effort:

1. Radish Microgreens

Radish microgreens top our list of the best microgreens to grow for profit. They are among the fastest, easiest, and best microgreens to grow for profit, making them an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned growers. To grow radish microgreens, you will need the following:

• Radish seeds
• Growing trays
• A seedling soil mix or coco coir
• A spray bottle
• Grow lights if natural light is insufficient

How to Grow and Care for Radish Microgreens

Begin by filling your growing tray with a seedling soil mix or coco coir to a depth of about one inch.

Scatter the radish seeds evenly over the soil surface, aiming for dense coverage without overlapping seeds.

Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the seeds with water to ensure they are moist. Cover the tray with a lid or another tray to create darkness, and keep the tray in a warm place.

After 3-4 days, the seeds will have germinated, and you can remove the cover to expose the seedlings to light. If natural light is limited, use grow lights to provide the necessary illumination.

Radish microgreens are ready to harvest in about 10-12 days when they are 2-3 inches tall. Use scissors to cut the greens just above the soil line.

To keep your radish microgreens healthy, maintain moist but not waterlogged soil, provide 12-16 hours of light daily, and ensure a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C).

Compare: How to Grow Radish Microgreens Step by Step

2. Sunflower Microgreens

Sunflower microgreens are another popular and profitable choice. These microgreens require sunflower seeds, growing trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and a weight for better germination.

Start by soaking the sunflower seeds in water for 12-24 hours. After soaking, drain and rinse the seeds, then spread them evenly on the growing medium in the tray. Mist the seeds thoroughly with water, then cover the tray with another tray or weight to aid germination. Keep the covered tray in a dark, warm place for about two days.

Remove the cover once the seeds have sprouted and expose the seedlings to light. Sunflower microgreens typically take 7-10 days to be ready for harvest.

Harvest your Sunflower microgreens once they are 2-4 inches tall. Ensure the soil remains moist and provide adequate light and ventilation to prevent mold growth.

3. Pea Shoot Microgreens

Pea shoots are beloved for their sweet flavor and crisp texture, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks. You will need pea seeds, trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights if necessary to grow pea shoots.

Start by soaking the pea seeds in water for 8-12 hours. Drain and rinse the seeds, then spread them evenly over the growing medium in the tray.

Lightly mist the seeds with water and cover the tray to create a dark environment. Place the tray warmly; the seeds will germinate after 3-4 days.

Once they sprout, remove the cover and expose the seedlings to light. Pea shoots are ready for harvest in about 10-14 days when they are 3-4 inches tall.

To care for your pea shoots, keep the soil moist, provide sufficient light, and ensure good air circulation.

4. Basil Microgreens

Basil microgreens are more challenging to grow, but clients love them because of their intense flavor and aroma.

To grow basil microgreens, you will need basil seeds, trays, a fine seedling soil mix, a spray bottle, and grow lights.

Begin by filling the growing tray with a fine seedling soil mix to a depth of about one inch.

Sprinkle the basil seeds evenly over the soil surface, then lightly press them into the soil.

Mist the seeds gently with water, and cover the tray with a lid to create a humid environment. Place the tray in a warm, well-lit area.

Basil seeds take longer to germinate, usually 7-10 days. Remove the cover once the seeds have sprouted, and ensure they receive 12-16 hours of light daily.

Basil microgreens are ready for harvest in about 20-25 days when they are 1-2 inches tall. To keep your basil microgreens healthy, maintain a temperature of 70-75°F (21-24°C), moisten the soil, and provide adequate light and humidity.

5. Arugula Microgreens

Arugula microgreens are known for their peppery flavor, making them a popular addition to salads and garnishes.

To grow arugula microgreens, you will need arugula seeds, growing trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights if natural light is insufficient. Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to a depth of about one inch, and evenly scatter the arugula seeds over the soil surface.

Lightly press the seeds into the soil and mist them with water. Cover the tray to create darkness and keep it in a warm place. After about 3-4 days, the seeds will germinate, and you can remove the cover to expose the seedlings to light.

Arugula microgreens are ready to harvest in about 10-14 days when they are 2-3 inches tall. Ensure the soil remains moist, provide 12-16 hours of light daily, and maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C) to keep your arugula microgreens healthy.

6. Broccoli Microgreens

Broccoli microgreens are highly nutritious and easy to grow, making them a profitable choice for growers. To grow broccoli microgreens, you will need:

• Broccoli seeds
• Growing trays
• A seedling soil mix or coco coir
• A spray bottle
• Grow lights

Steps of Growing Broccoli Microgreens

Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to about one inch deep, scatter the broccoli seeds evenly over the soil surface, lightly press them into the soil, and mist them with water.

Cover the tray to create darkness and place it in a warm location. After about 3-4 days, the seeds will germinate, and you can remove the cover to expose the seedlings to light.

Broccoli microgreens are ready to harvest in about 10-14 days when they are 2-3 inches tall. To ensure healthy growth, keep the soil moist, provide 12-16 hours of light daily, and maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C).

7. Cilantro Microgreens

Cilantro microgreens are prized for their fresh, citrusy flavor and are a chef’s favorite. You will need cilantro seeds, trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights to grow cilantro microgreens.

Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to a depth of about one inch, and evenly scatter the cilantro seeds over the soil surface. Lightly press the seeds into the soil and mist them with water. Cover the tray to create darkness and keep it in a warm place.

Cilantro seeds take longer to germinate, typically around 7-10 days. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the cover and expose the seedlings to light. Cilantro microgreens are ready to harvest in about 18-21 days when they are 2-3 inches tall.

To ensure healthy growth, maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C), keep the soil moist, and provide 12-16 hours of light daily.

See more: How to Grow Cilantro Microgreens

8. Mustard Microgreens

Mustard microgreens have a spicy, savory flavor that adds a kick to dishes. To grow mustard microgreens, you will need mustard seeds, trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights (if natural light is insufficient).

Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to about one inch deep, scatter the mustard seeds evenly over the soil surface, lightly press them into the soil, and mist them with water.

Cover the tray to create darkness and keep it in a warm place. After about 3-4 days, the seeds will germinate, and you can remove the cover to expose the seedlings to light.

Mustard microgreens are ready to harvest in about 10-14 days when they are 2-3 inches tall. To ensure healthy growth, keep the soil moist, provide 12-16 hours of light daily, and maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C).

9. Beet Microgreens

Beet microgreens are known for their vibrant red stems and earthy flavor. They have striking red stems and bright green leaves, sometimes with a hint of red. This makes them visually appealing and a great garnish for dishes.

Beet microgreens have a mild, earthy taste with a slightly sweet undertone, reminiscent of beets themselves but more delicate.

To grow beet microgreens, you will need beet seeds, growing trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights. Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to a depth of about one inch, and scatter the beet seeds evenly over the soil surface.

Lightly press the seeds into the soil and mist them with water. Cover the tray to create darkness and keep it in a warm place. Beet seeds take longer to germinate, usually around 7-10 days.

Once the seeds have germinated, remove the cover and expose the seedlings to light. Beet microgreens are ready to harvest in about 14-21 days when they are 2-3 inches tall.

To ensure healthy growth, maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C), keep the soil moist, and provide 12-16 hours of light daily.

10. Swiss Chard Microgreens

Swiss chard microgreens wind up our list of the best microgreens to grow for profit. These microgreens are colorful and nutritious, making them a popular choice. They are visually striking, featuring vibrant colors ranging from bright green leaves to red, pink, yellow, and white stems.

The leaves are tender and delicate, often displaying a slight gloss, while the stems are thin and crisp.

Nutritionally, Swiss chard microgreens are a powerhouse. They are packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K, which support immune function, skin health, and bone strength. They are also rich in essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium, which contribute to improved cardiovascular health and muscle function.

Additionally, these microgreens provide antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and protect against cellular damage, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

You will need Swiss chard seeds, trays, a seedling soil mix or coco coir, a spray bottle, and grow lights to grow Swiss chard microgreens. Fill the growing tray with the soil mix to about one inch, and scatter the Swiss chard seeds evenly over the soil surface.

Lightly press the seeds into the soil and mist them with water. Cover the tray to create darkness and keep it in a warm place. Swiss chard seeds take longer to germinate, typically around 7-10 days.

Once the seeds have germinated, remove the cover and expose the seedlings to light. Swiss chard microgreens are ready to harvest in about 14-21 days when they are 2-3 inches tall.

To ensure healthy growth of these best microgreens to grow for profit, maintain a temperature of 60-70°F (15-21°C), keep the soil moist, and provide 12-16 hours of light daily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How much light do microgreens need?

A: Microgreens typically need 12-16 hours of light daily. If natural light is insufficient, grow lights can provide the necessary illumination.

Q: What is the best-growing medium for microgreens?

A: Seedling soil mix and coco coir are the best microgreens-growing mediums. Both provide excellent drainage and support healthy root development.

Q: How often should I water microgreens?

A: Keep microgreens consistently moist but not waterlogged. Lightly mist them with water using a spray bottle once or twice a day, depending on the humidity and temperature of your growing environment.

Q: Can I reuse the growing medium for multiple crops of microgreens?

A: While it is possible to reuse the growing medium, fresh soil or coco coir is generally recommended for each new crop to prevent disease and ensure optimal growth conditions.

Final Thoughts

Growing microgreens for profit can be rewarding due to their high market value and relatively low production costs.

By selecting the best microgreens to grow for profit, such as radish, sunflower, and pea shoots, you can cater to a wide range of culinary and health-conscious consumers.

Success in this business hinges on understanding the specific needs of each type of microgreen, from light and water requirements to ideal growing conditions.

By mastering these techniques, you can maximize your yields and ensure your clients a consistent supply of high-quality microgreens.