15 Best Microgreens to Grow for Beginners (Ranked by Difficulty)

15 Best Microgreens to Grow for Beginners (Ranked by Difficulty)

If you are new to growing microgreens, the sheer number of varieties can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of options, and not all of them are beginner-friendly. Some germinate in days with almost no effort, while others test your patience with slow growth, finicky seeds, or mold issues that make you question your life choices. This guide ranks the 15 best microgreens to grow so you know exactly where to start — and what to work up to once you have some experience under your belt.

We have grown every variety on this list extensively here at Wind River Greens, and this ranking reflects real growing experience, not just what looks good on paper. If you are brand new to the hobby, start at the top and work your way down. By the time you reach the hard tier, you will have the skills to handle anything.

New to all of this? Our complete microgreens growing guide covers the fundamentals — trays, soil, lighting, and watering — before you pick your first variety. And if you need a quick primer on what microgreens even are, visit our Microgreens 101 page.

Quick Comparison: Best Microgreens to Grow at a Glance

Want to jump right in? A beginner seed variety pack that includes several of the easy-tier varieties is the most cost-effective way to start experimenting without buying 15 separate bags of seed.

Easy Tier: Start Here

These five varieties are the best microgreens to grow if you have never done this before. They germinate reliably, grow fast, tolerate beginner mistakes, and produce impressive results even with a basic setup. If you cannot grow these, the problem is your equipment or environment, not your skill — and our growing guide can help you troubleshoot.

1. Sunflower Microgreens

Difficulty: Easy | Days to Harvest: 10-12 | Flavor: Nutty, crunchy, mild

Sunflower microgreens are the single best variety to start with, and they remain a favorite even for experienced growers. The seeds are large and easy to handle, germination is strong and consistent, and the resulting greens are thick, crunchy, and packed with nutrition — including complete protein and high levels of vitamin E. The flavor is mild and nutty, which means even people who think they do not like microgreens tend to enjoy these.

Why it is great for beginners: Large seeds are forgiving. You can see exactly what is happening during germination, and the plants grow thick enough that uneven coverage is not a problem.

Growing tip: Soak seeds for 8 to 12 hours before planting and use a weight on top of the tray during the blackout period. This forces the stems to push hard, which gives you those thick, crunchy stalks that make sunflower microgreens so satisfying. Read our full sunflower microgreens growing guide.

2. Pea Shoots

Difficulty: Easy | Days to Harvest: 10-14 | Flavor: Sweet, fresh, tender

Pea shoots are another top-tier beginner variety. They grow tall and lush, producing beautiful tendrils that look stunning on any plate. The flavor is genuinely sweet — like eating a fresh pea straight from the garden — which makes them a hit with kids and adults who prefer milder greens.

Why it is great for beginners: Pea seeds are large and almost impossible to over-seed. The plants are vigorous growers that push through with impressive force, and they are not particularly fussy about light or temperature.

Growing tip: Soak seeds for 12 to 24 hours before planting. Pea shoots can grow quite tall, so harvest when they reach 4 to 6 inches for the best balance of flavor and tenderness. Read our full pea shoot growing guide.

3. Radish Microgreens

Difficulty: Easy | Days to Harvest: 5-7 | Flavor: Spicy, peppery, crisp

If you want fast results, radish microgreens are unbeatable. You can go from dry seed to harvest-ready greens in under a week, which makes them the most rewarding variety for impatient beginners. The flavor is bright and peppery with a pleasant kick — perfect for topping tacos, sandwiches, and salads.

Why it is great for beginners: Radish seeds germinate within 24 hours and grow aggressively. They are the fastest microgreen to harvest, which means you get positive feedback quickly and can do multiple rounds while other varieties are still in their trays.

Growing tip: No soaking needed — just spread the seeds evenly and keep them moist. Radish microgreens are prone to getting leggy if they do not get enough light, so move them under your light source as soon as they emerge from blackout. Read our full radish microgreens growing guide.

4. Broccoli Microgreens

Difficulty: Easy | Days to Harvest: 7-10 | Flavor: Mild, slightly bitter, earthy

Broccoli microgreens are one of the most widely studied varieties for their health benefits. Research has shown they contain high concentrations of sulforaphane, a compound linked to cancer prevention and reduced inflammation. The flavor is milder than mature broccoli — slightly earthy with just a touch of bitterness that most people find pleasant.

Why it is great for beginners: Small seeds germinate reliably, the plants grow evenly, and the margin for error is wide. Broccoli is also one of the most forgiving varieties when it comes to imperfect watering.

Growing tip: Seed densely — broccoli seeds are small, and you want a thick canopy for the best harvest. Mist gently during germination rather than pouring water, which can dislodge the tiny seeds. Read our full broccoli microgreens growing guide.

5. Kale Microgreens

Difficulty: Easy | Days to Harvest: 8-12 | Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet, earthy

Kale microgreens deliver all the nutritional benefits kale is famous for — vitamins A, C, and K in abundance — but without the tough, chewy texture of mature kale leaves. As microgreens, they are tender and mild, with a slightly sweet flavor that makes them far more approachable than their full-grown counterpart.

Why it is great for beginners: Kale belongs to the brassica family along with broccoli, and it shares that family's beginner-friendly traits: reliable germination, even growth, and tolerance for less-than-perfect conditions.

Growing tip: Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged. Kale microgreens develop better color and flavor with adequate light, so do not skimp on your light source once they come out of blackout. Read our full kale microgreens growing guide.

Medium Tier: Build Your Skills

Once you have successfully grown a few rounds of the easy varieties, these five will push your skills without punishing you for small mistakes. They may require more attention to watering, have quirks during germination, or take longer to reach harvest — but the flavors and visual appeal are worth the extra effort.

6. Arugula Microgreens

Difficulty: Medium | Days to Harvest: 7-10 | Flavor: Peppery, tangy, bold

Arugula microgreens bring that classic peppery bite that arugula lovers crave, but in a more concentrated and elegant form. They add instant personality to any dish and are a staple in restaurant kitchens for good reason.

What makes it medium: Arugula seeds are very small and mucilaginous — they develop a gel-like coating when wet. This makes even seeding a bit tricky. They can also dry out fast because the seedlings are so fine and delicate.

Growing tip: Spread seeds as evenly as possible and mist frequently during germination. The mucilaginous coating can cause clumping, so take your time distributing seeds across the tray. Read our full arugula microgreens growing guide.

7. Mustard Microgreens

Difficulty: Medium | Days to Harvest: 7-10 | Flavor: Spicy, wasabi-like, pungent

If you enjoy heat, mustard microgreens deliver. Depending on the variety (there are many — from mild golden mustard to intense ruby streaks), the flavor can range from pleasantly warm to genuinely spicy, with a wasabi-like punch that hits at the back of the throat. The purple and red varieties are also some of the most visually striking microgreens you can grow.

What makes it medium: Like arugula, mustard seeds are mucilaginous and can clump during seeding. They also grow quickly, which sounds like a good thing, but it means you need to pay attention — miss your harvest window by a day or two and they can get leggy and start to lose flavor.

Growing tip: Harvest on the earlier side. Mustard microgreens are best when the cotyledons are fully open but before the first true leaves appear. That is when the flavor is at its peak. Read our full mustard microgreens growing guide.

8. Beet Microgreens

Difficulty: Medium | Days to Harvest: 10-14 | Flavor: Earthy, sweet, colorful

Beet microgreens are gorgeous. The stems range from deep ruby red to bright magenta, and the leaves are a rich green — making them one of the most photogenic varieties you can grow. The flavor is pleasantly earthy and sweet, like a milder version of roasted beets.

What makes it medium: Beet "seeds" are actually multi-germ seed clusters, meaning each one can produce multiple seedlings. This makes spacing inconsistent and can lead to overcrowding. They also take longer to germinate than brassicas and need more patience.

Growing tip: Soak beet seeds for 8 to 12 hours to speed up germination. Do not worry about uneven spacing from the multi-germ clusters — just thin as needed once they sprout. The colorful stems need good light to develop their full vibrancy. Read our full beet microgreens growing guide.

9. Buckwheat Microgreens

Difficulty: Medium | Days to Harvest: 7-12 | Flavor: Tangy, lemony, delicate

Buckwheat microgreens have a unique tangy, slightly lemony flavor that sets them apart from most other varieties. The heart-shaped leaves are attractive and delicate, making them popular as a garnish in fine dining. Despite not being a true grain (buckwheat is actually a seed related to rhubarb), they are completely gluten-free.

What makes it medium: Buckwheat hulls cling to the leaves aggressively as they grow, and removing them is tedious. The stems are also more fragile than sunflower or pea shoots, so heavy-handed watering can flatten your tray.

Growing tip: Use a heavy blackout weight during germination — this forces the seedlings to push harder and helps shed the hulls naturally. After removing the blackout cover, a gentle misting or brief fan can help dislodge remaining hulls. Read our full buckwheat microgreens growing guide.

10. Cilantro Microgreens

Difficulty: Medium | Days to Harvest: 14-21 | Flavor: Citrusy, herbal, aromatic

Cilantro microgreens deliver that unmistakable cilantro flavor in a more delicate, refined form. They are perfect for anyone who loves the herb and wants a steady supply without dealing with mature cilantro's tendency to bolt in warm weather.

What makes it medium: Cilantro is slow. At 14 to 21 days, it takes two to three times longer than radish to reach harvest, which means more time for things to go wrong — mold, drying out, or uneven growth. The seeds also benefit from being gently crushed before planting to break apart the seed coat.

Growing tip: Lightly crush the round coriander seeds to split them before soaking for 8 to 12 hours. Each seed contains two embryos, so splitting them improves germination rates significantly. Be patient — cilantro rewards those who wait. Read our full cilantro microgreens growing guide.

Hard Tier: Advanced Growers

These five varieties are where many beginners get frustrated and give up. They germinate slowly, are prone to mold, require precise moisture control, or simply take so long to grow that the margin for error shrinks considerably. That said, successfully growing these is deeply satisfying, and the flavors are unique enough to make the effort worthwhile. We recommend having a quality starter kit with proper trays, a grow light, and a spray bottle before attempting these.

11. Basil Microgreens

Difficulty: Hard | Days to Harvest: 12-18 | Flavor: Sweet, aromatic, herbal

Basil microgreens taste like a more concentrated, more aromatic version of full-grown basil. They are wonderful on pizza, pasta, caprese salads, and anywhere else you would use fresh basil. The problem is getting them to cooperate.

What makes it hard: Basil seeds are mucilaginous to an extreme degree — they develop a thick gel coating almost instantly when wet, which makes them prone to damping off (a fungal disease that kills seedlings at the base). They also need warmth to germinate, so cool rooms will stall them completely.

Growing tip: Keep your growing area above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for basil. Good airflow is critical to prevent damping off — a small fan on low pointed near (not directly at) the tray makes a significant difference. Do not overwater. Read our full basil microgreens growing guide.

12. Dill Microgreens

Difficulty: Hard | Days to Harvest: 14-21 | Flavor: Fresh, herbal, anise-like

Dill microgreens have a delicate, feathery appearance and that classic fresh dill flavor with subtle anise notes. They are excellent with fish, potatoes, cream cheese, and egg dishes. Growing them as microgreens gives you access to fresh dill year-round.

What makes it hard: Dill germinates slowly and unevenly, which means parts of your tray may be ready to harvest while other sections are still immature. The seedlings are also wispy and fragile, making them easy to damage during watering.

Growing tip: Bottom watering is essential for dill. Set your growing tray inside a solid tray and add water underneath — this keeps the delicate stems dry and reduces the risk of mold and stem collapse. Read our full dill microgreens growing guide.

13. Carrot Microgreens

Difficulty: Hard | Days to Harvest: 14-21 | Flavor: Mildly sweet, earthy, carrot-like

Carrot microgreens taste surprisingly like baby carrots — mildly sweet with an earthy undertone. The feathery green tops are visually beautiful and work wonderfully as a garnish. They are one of the more unusual varieties to grow, which makes them a conversation piece at the dinner table.

What makes it hard: Carrot seeds are notoriously slow and erratic germinators. You will wait longer for these to sprout than almost any other variety, and germination rates can be inconsistent even with fresh, high-quality seed. The long growing time also increases mold risk.

Growing tip: Pre-soak seeds for 12 to 24 hours and keep the tray covered during germination for extra humidity. Carrot seeds need consistent moisture to break dormancy — if they dry out even briefly, germination stalls. Check daily and mist as needed. Read our full carrot microgreens growing guide.

14. Celery Microgreens

Difficulty: Hard | Days to Harvest: 18-25 | Flavor: Mild celery flavor, delicate

Celery microgreens offer a subtle, refined version of the celery flavor you know — lighter and more herbal than a full celery stalk, but unmistakably celery. They are excellent in soups, salads, and as a garnish for Bloody Marys.

What makes it hard: Celery has the longest time to harvest on this list, which means you are managing a tray for nearly a month. The seeds are extremely small and germinate slowly and unevenly. The seedlings are thin and fragile throughout their growth cycle, making them susceptible to mold and damping off.

Growing tip: Do not bury celery seeds — they need light to germinate. Press them gently onto the surface of your growing medium and mist lightly. Bottom watering once they are established will help you avoid disturbing the fragile stems. Patience is non-negotiable with this variety. Read our full celery microgreens growing guide.

15. Parsley Microgreens

Difficulty: Hard | Days to Harvest: 16-25 | Flavor: Fresh, herbal, bright

Parsley microgreens have a clean, herbal brightness that is more concentrated than mature parsley. They are versatile in the kitchen and pair well with virtually any savory dish. Growing them, however, requires commitment.

What makes it hard: Parsley is one of the slowest germinating microgreens. It can take 7 to 10 days just to see the first signs of life, and the full grow cycle can stretch close to a month. During that long germination window, mold is a constant threat. Germination rates are also lower than most other varieties, so you need to seed more heavily to compensate.

Growing tip: Soak parsley seeds for 24 hours before planting — this helps soften the hard seed coat and speeds up germination slightly. Keep humidity high during the long germination phase, but ensure air circulation to prevent mold. Seed at 1.5 to 2 times the density you would use for radish or broccoli. Read our full parsley microgreens growing guide.

What You Need to Get Started

No matter which variety you choose, you need the same basic equipment:

• Growing trays — Standard 10x20 trays with drainage holes, plus solid trays underneath for bottom watering
• Growing medium — A fine-textured potting mix or coco coir works well for most varieties
• Seeds — Buy from a reputable supplier that sells seeds specifically for microgreen growing. Seed quality matters more than almost anything else
• Light source — A windowsill works in a pinch, but a basic LED grow light produces far better results
• Spray bottle — For gentle misting during germination

If you want everything in one purchase, a microgreens starter kit is the simplest way to begin. Most kits include trays, growing medium, a few seed varieties, and instructions. Pair that with a seed variety pack and you have enough to run your first several grows.

For a complete step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to grow microgreens at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest microgreen to grow for a complete beginner?

Radish microgreens are the absolute easiest and fastest — you can harvest in as little as 5 days, and the seeds germinate within 24 hours. However, we recommend starting with sunflower microgreens if you want the most satisfying overall experience. They take a bit longer (10 to 12 days) but produce thick, crunchy greens with a great flavor that makes the wait worthwhile.

How much does it cost to start growing microgreens at home?

You can get started for under $30 with a couple of trays, a bag of potting mix, and a packet of seeds. A complete starter kit typically runs $40 to $60 and includes everything you need. The biggest optional investment is an LED grow light ($20 to $50), which is not strictly necessary if you have a sunny window but does produce noticeably better results.

Can I grow multiple varieties in the same tray?

You can, but we do not recommend it for beginners. Different varieties germinate at different speeds and reach harvest at different times, which makes it difficult to manage watering and harvest timing. Start by growing one variety per tray until you understand each one's requirements, then experiment with mixing varieties that have similar growth rates — like broccoli and kale, which are both brassicas with comparable timelines.

Why do my microgreens keep getting moldy?

Mold is the most common problem for new growers, and it almost always comes down to one of three things: too much moisture, not enough airflow, or seeding too densely. Make sure your trays have drainage, avoid overwatering (the soil should be moist, not soaking), and provide gentle air circulation with a small fan. If mold is a recurring problem, try reducing your seed density by 20 to 30 percent. Our growing guide has a detailed troubleshooting section.

Do I need special seeds for microgreens, or can I use regular garden seeds?

You can technically use regular garden seeds, but seeds sold specifically for microgreen growing are a better choice. They are typically untreated (no fungicides or coatings), tested for higher germination rates, and sold in quantities that make sense for tray growing. Regular garden seed packets contain far fewer seeds than you need for a full tray, and treated seeds are not meant to be eaten at the seedling stage. Stick with seeds from reputable microgreen seed suppliers for the best results.

Start Growing Today

The best microgreens to grow are the ones that match your current skill level. Start with sunflower, pea shoots, or radish, get a few successful harvests under your belt, and then start pushing into the medium and hard tiers. Every variety on this list is worth growing — the ranking is just about the order that sets you up for success rather than frustration.

Growing your own microgreens is one of the fastest, most space-efficient ways to add serious nutrition to your diet. A single 10x20 tray on your kitchen counter can produce a week's worth of fresh greens in under two weeks. No garden required, no green thumb necessary — just seeds, soil, water, and a little patience.

Ready to get started? Check out our complete guide to growing microgreens for everything you need to know, or visit Microgreens 101 to learn why these tiny greens are creating such a big buzz in the nutrition world.

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