Do you love a delicious salad? Would you like to be able to grow nutrient dense salad greens quickly and easily? Our growing instructions for lettuce microgreens are easy to understand and follow. You can be enjoying a delicious microgreen salad within two weeks.
Almost any plant can be harvested as a microgreen. Microgreens are typically harvested between eight and twenty days after the seeds are planted, which means they are one of the quickest crops you can grow.
Our lettuce microgreen profile provides you with the information you need to plant, grow, and harvest tasty lettuce microgreens. You will learn how to plant lettuce seeds, the germination timeline, and when it's time to harvest your lettuce microgreens at a glance.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | The flavor of your lettuce microgreens depends on the specific mix. Some lettuce microgreens will have a fresh, mild flavor while others will be potent and spicy. |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | No – Lettuce microgreen seeds do not require presoaking. |
| Color | The color of your lettuce microgreens can range from pale green to red, depending on the type of lettuce microgreens planted. |
| Germination Time | Your lettuce seeds should germinate in one to two days. |
| Harvest Time | The ideal harvest time for lettuce microgreens is between eight and twelve days. |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 1 – Lettuce microgreens are some of the easiest microgreens to grow, especially when our step by step instructions are followed. |
Our lettuce microgreen growing guide will provide you with all of the information that you need to successfully grow your own lettuce microgreens.
Whether you have grown microgreens in the past or this is the first time you have ever grown microgreens, you may have questions about lettuce microgreens. Our frequently asked questions section will seek to answer all of your questions.
Sprouts are eaten right after germination, which is the first stage of development. Microgreens are harvested after the first set of leaves appear or after the first true leaves appear, depending on the microgreen. Finally, baby salad greens are young plants that are harvested after true leaves have developed.
No, like other types of microgreens, lettuce microgreens should be composted after harvesting.
Lettice microgreens are extremely fast growing. Once planted, you should expect a bountiful harvest within two weeks.
You can grow lettuce microgreens in a variety of ways; however, we recommend growing microgreens in coconut coir in growing trays. The following equipment will help ensure a bountiful crop of lettuce microgreens.
A starter kit will provide you with the essential pieces of equipment needed to grow your lettuce microgreens. We recommend the Deluxe Starter Kit from True Leaf Market. The kit includes a variety of microgreen seeds, grow trays, pH strips, hydroponic grow pads, a growing medium, and a misting bottle.
Many people prefer to purchase each piece of equipment separately. Here is the list of essential equipment as well as optional equipment to help ensure a bountiful crop of lettuce microgreens.
There are many different growing mediums that can be used to grow lettuce microgreens, including coconut coir and seed starting soil.
Coconut coir is a renewable resource made from the husks of coconuts. Coconut coir holds the appropriate amount of moisture while helping to minimize root rot, mildew, and other soilborne diseases, which is why we recommend this microgreen growing medium.
Seed starting soil is packed full of nutrients plants need to reach full maturity. When growing microgreens, these added nutrients aren't needed, which is why we recommend coconut coir for microgreen gardening.
You will need two growing trays without drainage holes and one growing tray with drainage holes. We recommend using 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen growing trays. This size tray will provide you with a plethora of lettuce microgreens to enjoy.
A growing tray with drainage holes will be used to hold your growing medium and seeds. This tray allows you to water your lettuce microgreens from the bottom to reduce the risk of soilborne disease.
One of the growing trays without drainage holes will be used as a blackout dome. The other grow tray without drainage holes will hold the tray with drainage holes and allow you to water from the bottom.
A misting bottle delivers a fine mist, which allows you to water your microgreen seeds without disturbing the seeds or the soil.
A grow light provides your lettuce microgreens with consistent light to ensure the healthy growth and development of your microgreens.
A heating mat provides your microgreens with consistent temperature to help improve the germination rate of your microgreen seeds.
A planter's rack allows you to grow microgreens vertically. You can grow several trays of microgreens without sacrificing floor space when a microgreen planting rack is utilized.
Circulation fans provide a gentle breeze to help increase airflow and minimize the risk of soilborne diseases like mildew, mold, and root rot.
There are many different options for lettuce microgreens. Here are the top lettuce microgreen seeds offered at True Leaf Market.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Great Lakes 118 Crisphead is a non-GOM heirloom lettuce also known as head lettuce or Great Lakes lettuce. This lettuce microgreen is easy to grow and ready for harvest in about two weeks. This lettuce microgreen is a perfect option for beginners.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Hanson Improved Crisphead is a non-GMO heirloom lettuce that grows uniformly. The cool season microgreen has a delicious mild flavor and is ready for harvest in about two weeks.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Freckles Romaine is a non-GMO, heirloom cool weather romaine lettuce that is ready in two weeks. The red and green stems and leaves look beautiful in a microgreen salad.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Grand Rapids is a non-GMO, heirloom leaf lettuce ready for harvest in a little over two weeks. The pale white to light green stems and deep green leaves add visual interest and delicious flavor to your dishes.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Little Gem is a non-GMO, heirloom lettuce, featuring green stems and leaves. From planting to harvest takes a little over two weeks. This microgreen is sensitive to high humidity and heat levels; therefore, it is essential that you utilize circulation fans during the growing cycle.
Sustainable Seed Company's Lollo Rosso is a non-GMO, organic, heirloom head lettuce ready for harvest in about two weeks. The pale white stems and dark green cotyledons offer the same great flavor as the full grown counterpart.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Mesclun Mix is a non-GMO, heirloom mix of arugula, endive, kale, lettuces, mustard greens, spinach, and Swiss chard. This mix contains a plethora of flavors and textures to help you create the perfect microgreen salad blend.
Sustainable Seed Company's organic gourmet mix of lettuce is a non-GMO blend of heirloom lettuce. The mixture contains lettuce varieties over the entire spectrum of lettuce types, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to grow a microgreen salad blend.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Salad Bowl Green features a blend of non-GMO, heirloom lettuces. The blend includes frilled leaf lettuce, deeply notched leaf lettuce, and large leaf lettuce. The salad blend provides you with some of the best flavored lettuce microgreens.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Salad Bowl Red gives you a delicious blend of non-GMO, heirloom red lettuces. The blend features green leaves on beautiful red and green stems. Salad Bowl Red leaf lettuce will create a beautiful, nutritious, and tasty microgreen salad.
Mountain Valley Seed Company's Waldmann's Green lettuce is a wonderful choice for beginner microgreen gardeners. The non-GMO head lettuce features dark green cotyledons on pale white stems. Waldmann's lettuce provides the perfect base for your microgreen salad thanks to its mild flavor.
Growing lettuce microgreens is quite easy when you follow our step by step growing guide. The first step is to purchase the equipment listed above and your option of lettuce microgreen seeds. Once you have gathered the necessary supplies, it is time to plant your lettuce microgreens.
The first thing you must do is prepare your microgreen growing trays. Fill your tray with your growing medium and then gently pat down to level the soil. Add more growing medium until it is slightly below the lip of your growing tray.
Once you have filled your growing trays with your preferred growing medium, you will need to ensure the growing medium is thoroughly moistened. There are two different ways to ensure your growing medium is moistened and ready for planting your lettuce microgreen seeds.
You can do this by placing your grow tray in a sink. Fill the sink with about an inch of water and allow to growing medium to soak up the water for at least 30 minutes.
If you prefer, you can use your misting bottle to moisten the soil. Spray the entire surface of the growing medium (about 10 full sprays) and allow the water to soak into the soil for 15 minutes. Repeat this process four times, waiting 15 minutes between each watering session.
Once your growing medium is moistened, it is time to plant your lettuce microgreen seeds. You will need approximately one ounce of lettuce seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen growing tray.
Sprinkle the seeds evenly across the entire surface of the tray. One of the easiest ways to ensure even distribution is to use a shaker jar like this one. Avoid clumping the seeds together as this can cause poor growth.
After your seeds are sewn, you want to sprinkle a small amount of soil on top of the seeds. Lightly press the soil and seeds. Then, water using your misting bottle. You should use four or five sprays across the surface of the growing tray.
In nature, seeds germinate deep within the ground and are subject to darkness and pressure. You can create this same effect by inverting the final grow tray and placing it on top of your seeds.
Then, place a heavy book, a stone, or a weight atop the inverted tray. Don't worry, the weight will not harm your lettuce; it will actually help ensure a healthy crop.
The optimal soil temperature for germination is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn on your heating mat and set the temperature. Then, place the growing tray atop the heating mat.
It will take a couple of days for the germination process. Check the moisture level of the soil a couple of times a day and water using your misting bottle as needed to keep the soil moist, but not wet. Overwatering can cause mold growth; therefore, the soil should just be slightly damp.
When 90 percent of your lettuce microgreen seeds have germinated, it is time to remove the inverted tray and allow photosynthesis to occur. Begin by placing your grow tray back on your planting rack. Then, place a grow light approximately 12 inches above your microgreens.
Your grow lights will ensure your microgreens grow strong and straight. The grow lights should be turned on for approximately 18 hours each day. One of the best ways to ensure your lettuce microgreens are getting enough light each day is to use a timer like this one.
Once you have set up your grow lights, it is time to set up your circulation fans. The air should blow across the tops of your microgreens. Avoid pointing the fans downward or diagonal as this will push the air toward the surface and cause the soil to dry out prematurely.
In the beginning, check the moisture level of your soil two to three times a day. If your soil is drying out too quickly, adjust your fans so they blow slightly higher.
Lettuce microgreens are typically ready for harvest in about two weeks. To ensure you harvest at the height of freshness, you will need to begin checking as soon as the cotyledons are fully open, and the first true leaves develop.
Once you begin seeing the first true leaves, snip a small amount of lettuce microgreens and taste them each day until they are tasty. When they develop an optimal flavor profile, withhold watering for 12 hours before harvesting to ensure crispness.
All you need to harvest your microgreens are a couple of clean paper towels and pair of sharp scissors or a sharp knife. You want to cut the microgreens without bruising them.
Hold the microgreens gently in your non-dominant hand and cut the microgreens slightly above the soil level. As you cut the microgreens, place them on your paper towel.
Moisture is your worst enemy when it comes to storing microgreens. Avoid washing or exposing your microgreens to any moisture as it can decrease the storage life of your lettuce microgreens by approximately 30 percent.
Air exposure also shortens the life expectancy of your lettuce microgreens; therefore, it is essential that you work quickly and get your micro lettuce in storage containers as quickly as possible.
Harvest one tray of microgreens at a time. As soon as you have cut the tray of microgreens wrap them loosely in a clean, dry paper towel and place them in an airtight storage container or storage bag.
Cleanup is simple when it comes to lettuce microgreens. The roots and growing medium can be placed in your compost pile. Scrub each grow tray in hot, soapy water with a small amount of bleach. Then, rinse well and allow to completely air dry.
Lettuce microgreens are delicious and very easy to incorporate into your favorite dishes. This microgreen is filled with vital nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, and fiber.
Micro lettuce is a great microgreen for beginners. The germination time is 2 to 3 days, and the microgreens will be ready for harvest in about two weeks.
