Fastest Growing Microgreens: Ready in 6 to 12 Days

The fastest growing microgreen in our sources is arugula, ready to harvest in 6 to 8 days. Pea shoots and sunflower follow at 8 to 10 days, and broccoli, radish and kale come in at 8 to 12. Penn State and Cornell both put the whole range for microgreens at about 7 to 21 days from seeding to harvest (the full method is in how to grow microgreens), so even the slower varieties are quick next to a garden crop. Plan any of these with the harvest planner: choose a variety and a sow date and it gives the blackout end date and harvest window.

Microgreens ranked by days to harvest

Rank	Variety	Days to harvest	Covered (blackout)	Flavor	Source
1	Arugula	6–8	1–2 days	Peppery	Utah State
2	Pea shoots	8–10	3 days	Sweet pea	Utah State
3	Sunflower	9–10	3 days	Nutty, sweet	Utah State
4	Broccoli	8–12	2–4 days	Mild broccoli	Utah State
4	Radish	8–12	1–2 days	Nutty, spicy	Utah State
4	Kale	8–12	1–2 days	Strong brassica, nutty	Utah State
7	Red cabbage	10–15			Mississippi State
7	Mustard	10–15		Spicy kick	Mississippi State
7	Kohlrabi (purple)	10–15			Mississippi State
10	Amaranth	10–17			Virginia Tech
11	Beet	11–21		Earthy	Clemson
12	Basil	12–16	4–7 days	Intense basil	Utah State
13	Nasturtium	14–16		Spicy	Clemson
14	Cilantro	21–28	7–14 days	Cilantro	Utah State

Rank follows the shortest end of each sourced range, then the longest end. Different universities grew under different conditions, so a range is a guide, and your windowsill, light and room temperature will move it a little.

The fastest microgreens, one by one

Arugula: 6 to 8 days

The quickest crop in the table, with a peppery flavor and a short 1 to 2 day cover. Utah State’s seed rate is about 10 g per 10×20 tray. University of Maryland Extension notes arugula tolerates less-than-ideal light, which suits a windowsill.

Pea shoots: 8 to 10 days

A sweet-tasting crop that fills a tray quickly. Utah State lists 150 g of seed per 10×20 tray, a 6 hour soak and 3 days covered. Penn State advises keeping weight on the seed while it germinates.

Sunflower: 9 to 10 days

Nutty and sweet, with a 12 hour soak and 3 days covered in Utah State’s table. Purdue advises harvesting sunflower early, since it gets more bitter the longer it grows, so the short window works in your favor.

Broccoli, radish and kale: 8 to 12 days

Three varieties share the same window. Radish and kale need only 1 to 2 days covered and no soak, and broccoli needs 2 to 4 days and no soak. Radish gives a nutty, spicy bite, broccoli is mild and kale has a stronger brassica flavor.

Tips for a fast, even tray

• Soak the big seeds. Pea and sunflower seed benefit from a 6 to 12 hour soak, which University of Maryland Extension says speeds germination.
• Sow thickly and evenly. Penn State gives 2 seeds per square inch for large seeds up to 12 for small seeds.
• Keep seed in contact with the medium. Utah State suggests a weight on top during the dark period.
• Cut when the first true leaves show, or at 2 to 4 inches tall for most crops, using clean, sharp scissors.
• Sow a new tray every few days. Oregon State Extension recommends succession planting, so fresh greens arrive weekly.

Slower microgreens worth the wait

Basil takes 12 to 16 days, beet 11 to 21 and cilantro 21 to 28. These suit a second tray once the first harvest is on the table. Basil is described as slow-growing by University of Maryland Extension, and its reward is an intense basil flavor.

More from this site

For how nutrient amounts compare between varieties, see the microgreens nutrition overview and most nutrient dense microgreens. If you are choosing a first tray, our microgreens for beginners picks combine speed with simple steps. A selling guide shows how a quick cycle supports a weekly harvest.