How to Grow Microgreens Indoors – A Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered if you could “harvest” a tray of fresh and tasty microgreens at home, just with a small container and a little sunlight, in just a few days?

Microgreens aren’t just attractive to look at – they pack a punch in both flavour and nutrients, far surpassing the average leafy greens you usually eat. Whether you live in an apartment or a high-rise building, as long as you follow the right steps, even total gardening beginners can easily grow their own mini green oasis.

I’ll walk you through the world of microgreens step-by-step, explaining what microgreens are, which types are best for beginners, how to use T8 LED tube lights to master indoor growing.

If you want healthy eating and a bit of lifestyle ritual, let’s start this microgreens journey together!

What are Microgreens?

Microgreens refer to the edible young seedlings of vegetables or herbs, harvested just after the seed has germinated and the first pair of true leaves appear. They are tiny, usually only 2.5–7.5cm in height, but are packed with nutrition.

Many microgreens contain nutrient concentrations 4–6 times higher than the same vegetable at maturity. “Microgreens” is not a specific plant – it’s a growing method that can be applied to many vegetable and herb species.

Types of Microgreens You Can Grow

From years of practice, I can tell you: when growing microgreens indoors in South Africa, it’s best to choose varieties with a short growth cycle for the most reliable success, especially given sometimes unstable indoor environments. Here are some varieties worth recommending:

What You Need to Grow Microgreens at Home

Growing microgreens indoors is simple – you don’t need large gardening equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

Quality Seeds

Choose vegetable or herb seeds specifically suitable for microgreens. Make sure the seeds are untreated (food-safe). You can buy microgreens seed packs from local shops or reputable online sources.

For those in South Africa, searching for microgreens South Africa suppliers online can help you quickly find local options that deliver nationwide.

Seedling Trays/Containers

Use shallow trays or nursery boxes to hold the growing medium and seeds. Recommended: shallow plastic trays with drainage holes (like the standard 1020 tray), and a matching bottom tray for easy bottom-watering and drainage.

Growing Medium

Microgreens need a medium that holds moisture but doesn’t get waterlogged. Coco coir is a great choice for home growing: clean, pest-resistant, and sustainable.

Water and Spray Bottle

A spray bottle is best for watering microgreens, as a fine mist gently wets seeds and the medium without washing them away. Check moisture daily and generally mist 1–2 times per day.
If using the bottom-watering method, add water to the bottom tray every 1–2 days or whenever the medium feels dry.

Light Source

Light is key for growing microgreens. If you don’t get enough natural daylight indoors, supplemental lighting ensures healthy, sturdy growth.

The most popular options: LED grow lights or fluorescent tubes.

For home growers, T8 LED tube grow lights are a cost-effective and practical solution. These tubes are the right length to hang above trays, provide even light, and often come with built-in switches and timers (4/8/12-hour cycles).

Temperature & Airflow

Microgreens grow best at 18–24°C, which matches most home environments. If airflow is poor, use a small fan for gentle circulation to strengthen stems and prevent mould.

A basic home microgreens setup might include: tray + coco coir + quality seeds + spray bottle + grow light. Many supplies are inexpensive and easy to find locally – and once set up, trays and lights are reusable for batch after batch. It’s a one-time investment with long-term benefits.

How to Grow Microgreens (Step-by-Step)

Once you’ve got the gear, you’re ready to grow microgreens indoors! The process is simple; even total beginners can follow these steps:

1. Prepare Tray and Medium

Pick a clean shallow tray and add a 3–4cm layer of coco coir, gently pressing the surface flat (not too firm, or the seeds may struggle to sprout).
If your tray has drainage holes, line the bottom with a paper towel first to prevent medium from falling through.

2. Even Sowing

Scatter your microgreens seeds evenly over the surface. The density should just cover the surface without overlapping. For larger seeds (like peas, sunflower), soak seeds for a few hours to speed up sprouting, then drain before sowing.

3. Cover and Germinate in Darkness

Create a dark, moist environment to help the seeds sprout.
Invert another tray as a cover, or use an opaque lid/cloth.
No light needed at this stage. Most microgreens germinate better and more uniformly in darkness.
Keep the medium moist. Leave in the dark for 2–4 days (depending on variety), lifting the lid once or twice a day to mist and check moisture (keep it moist but not soggy).

4. Move to Light

Once seedlings are 1–2cm tall and begin to push up the lid, remove the cover and move the tray to a well-lit spot.
Ideally, put the tray on a sunny windowsill for 4–6 hours of direct sun per day.

If there isn’t enough natural light, turn on your grow lights. Place lights about 30cm above the seedlings (or as the manufacturer recommends), and provide 12–16 hours of light per day.

5. Daily Care (Watering & Airflow)

Check your microgreens daily.
For watering: keep the medium moist but never soggy.
Check morning and evening, spraying if the surface feels dry. If bottom-watering, top up the lower tray as needed.

For airflow: If you spot white fuzzy mould, it’s likely too wet or poorly ventilated. Remove any affected seedlings, increase airflow, or use a small fan.

6. Harvest

Depending on the variety, in 5–14 days after sowing, when seedlings are 5–10cm tall, leaves have opened, and the first true leaf just appears, it’s harvest time. Use clean scissors to cut the microgreens close to the medium.

From experience, don’t wash microgreens after cutting – just store them in a sealed container in the fridge for 3–5 days.

Ways to Use Microgreens

Fresh home-grown microgreens can elevate everyday meals. Here’s how I use them:

Salads & Sandwiches

The classic choice. I love mixing different types for a colourful salad, with a simple lemon-olive oil dressing.

Soup & Entrée Garnish

Sprinkle some purple beet microgreens on beef soup or traditional South African bobotie for a pop of colour and freshness.

Smoothies

It might sound odd, but people do add fresh microgreens (like sunflower, pea, or wheatgrass) to smoothies with fruit for a healthy boost.

Conclusion

Growing microgreens indoors is becoming increasingly popular – not just for its efficiency, but because it helps urban dwellers reconnect with nature. In my experience, even friends with no gardening background can harvest their first batch of fresh microgreens within a week, just by following this guide.

If you want to try this simple, rewarding way to grow food, just start with the basics: a tray, some coco coir, and seeds. As your experience grows, you can upgrade to T8 LED tube lights for better yield and quality.

So, let’s begin our indoor microgreens journey together! Green life, within reach.

FAQs

Q1: How many hours of light do microgreens need?

Generally, microgreens need at least 6 hours of light per day, but for stronger, greener growth, 12+ hours is ideal. If relying solely on sunlight, put your trays in the sunniest spot. With grow lights (like LEDs), run them 12–16 hours daily for best results.

Q2: How often do you water microgreens?

Watering depends on temperature, humidity, and the medium, but always keep the surface moist. In most indoor settings, once a day is enough; sometimes, twice a day if it’s hot and dry.

Q3: Do microgreens regrow after cutting?

Most microgreens do not regrow after harvesting, or regrowth is very limited. Since we harvest at the seedling stage, the plant has little energy for regrowth. Treat microgreens as a “one-time” harvest crop.

Q4: Is growing microgreens worth it?

Absolutely! Microgreens are rich in concentrated vitamins and minerals – a perfect way to boost your diet. You get the freshest nutrition, free from pesticides, at a fraction of the store price, and it’s fun and satisfying to grow your own food.