Microgreens Days-to-Harvest Chart: 15 Crops by Speed, Difficulty and Flavor
The chart
| Crop | Days to harvest | Difficulty | Flavor / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckwheat | 5–7 | Very easy | Nutty, sweet; fastest crop — great first grow. |
| Radish | 6–8 | Very easy | Piccy/sweet; turns bitter if it starts to bolt. |
| Broccoli | 7–9 | Easy | Mild, slightly peppery; the health-claim favorite (sulforaphane). |
| Arugula | 7–10 | Easy | Bright, peppery; one of the fastest brassicas. |
| Quinoa | 6–9 | Easy | Mild, slightly sweet; forgiving. |
| Sunflower | 8–10 | Easy | Tall and sturdy; needs a weight during blackout. Bold, nutty flavor. |
| Kale | 8–12 | Easy–medium | Mild to earthy; keeps eating well as it matures slightly. |
| Amaranth (red) | 8–10 | Medium | Colorful, mildly tart; vitamin-C standout. |
| Mizuna | 7–10 | Easy | Bright, wasabi-ish punch; a favorite in Asian salads. |
| Cilantro (coriander) | 8–12 | Medium | Classic flavor; slower than brassicas, needs cool-ish temps. |
| Chard | 8–12 | Medium | Sturdy stems; good for beginners who want a "hardy" crop. |
| Pea shoots | 10–14 | Medium | Sweet, grassy; pre-soak seeds 8–12 h. Watch for mold when wet. |
| Basil | 10–14 | Harder | Slow start, strong aroma. Loves warmth and plenty of light. |
| Wheatgrass | 8–12 | Easy | Juicing staple; harvest before it gets bitter. |
| Lentils (green) | 9–13 | Harder | Legumes are mold-prone if overwatered — grow them if you control water well. |
What shifts your days
- Temperature: 20–24 °C is the sweet spot. Below ~18 °C everything slows; above ~27 °C mold risk jumps.
- Light hours: 12 h/day is enough for most crops; cutting to 8 h adds 1–3 days and makes stems stretch.
- Seed size: small seeds (broccoli, arugula) germinate in 24–48 h; large seeds (pea, sunflower) take 3–5 days.
When exactly to harvest
The practical rule: harvest when the true leaves are fully open and the color is deep, and before any bolting (flowering). Signs you're late: radish/buckwheat getting bitter, sunflower buds starting to form, stems going pale. A 1–2 day window either side of the chart is normal; a full extra week is usually too late.
Planning a rotating stack
- Stagger sowings by 3–4 days and you get a continuous harvest every few days without idle trays.
- Mix one fast crop (radish/buckwheat, ~7 days) with two slower ones per batch to smooth out your output.
Sources
- Crockett, S. & Briggs, W., Microgreens: A Guide — Methods, Nutrients and Production, Utah State University Extension (2019).
- DiSpirito, M., Mason, R. & Bird, E., Best Practices for Commercial Microgreen Production, Cornell Small Farms Program.
- Germination/harvest ranges consistent with seed supplier data (True Leaf Market, Baker Creek), checked 01.10.2026.