Microgreens are essentially a variety of greens, lettuces, or herbs that are harvested at a young age, usually after they have developed their first true leaves. How long do microgreens take to grow? There are fast-growing microgreens and slow-growing microgreens. Some of the faster-growing types take as little as 8-15 days to grow, while slower-growing varieties require up to 25 days before they are ready to harvest. It all depends on the microgreen’s individual crop cycle.
THE MICROGREEN CROP CYCLE
Each microgreen plant undergoes the same type of crop cycle, which starts with planting the seeds into your desired medium (soil-based, soil-less media, hydroponic). This step is followed by a blackout period, in which the microgreen is left in a dark, humid environment to germinate. Next, is the sunlight period, when the plant can begin to grow its first true leaves. Finally, there is the harvest, during which time the gardener can then store or use the fresh microgreens for a multitude of dishes.
FAST-GROWING MICROGREENS
| Crop | Progress | Details | |
| Arugula (Rocket) | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-14 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Broccoli | Day 1 Day 2-4 Day 5-8 Day 9-14 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Brussel Sprouts | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Buckwheat | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Bok Choy & Pak Choi Varieties | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Cabbage Golden Acre & Red Acre Varieties | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Endive | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Kale (Red Russian & Toscano) | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Kohlrabi Purple | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Lettuces | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Mizuna | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Radish | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Sunflower | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Wheatgrass | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-13 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
Other common fast-growing microgreen varieties include:
- Borage
- Celosia
- Salad Burnet
- Cress (Cressida, Persian)
- Brassicas Mustard
- Tatsoi
SLOW-GROWING MICROGREENS
| Anise Hyssop | Day 1 Day 2-8 Day 9-15 Day 16-20 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Basil | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-11 Day 12-16+ | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Beet Bulls Blood | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-10 Day 11-20+ | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Carrot | Day 1 Day 2-7 Day 8-13 Day 14-20 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Celery | Day 1 Day 2-14 Day 15-20 Day 21-28 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Chard (Mix, Pink Lipstick, Ruby Red) | Day 1 Day 2-6 Day 7-11 Day 12-20 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Chives | Day 1 Day 2-7 Day 8-14 Day 15-21 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Cilantro | Day 1 Day 2-6 Day 7-11 Day 12-15+ | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Dill | Day 1 Day 2-6 Day 7-15 Day 16-20 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Fennel (Bronze & Green) | Day 1 Day 2-6 Day 7-9 Day 10-14 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Parsley | Day 1 Day 2-7 Day 8-20 Day 21-25+ | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Sage | Day 1 Day 2-6 Day 7-13 Day 14-21+ | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Shiso | Day 1 Day 2-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-12 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
| Red Veined Sorrel | Day 1 Day 2-10 Day 11-16 Day 17-28 | Planting + Start of Blackout Phase Germination Phase + Blackout Phase Growing phase (Light Phase) Final Growing Phase + Ready for Harvest |  |
Other slow-growing microgreen varieties include:
- Alfalfa
- Amaranth
- Chervil
- Lemon Balm
- Shungiku (Broadleaf)
*Please note that many of the timetables mentioned here are averages. The exact time in which your microgreens will be ready to harvest will depend on the environment they are in, in addition to their variety.
Happy gardening!
