What are the Different Types of Microgreens

Congratulations! You just got your new MicroGreens Kit for your Harvest or Harvest Elite AeroGarden, and you are ready to plant. Your new kit already comes with one 4oz seed pack of either Superfood MicroGreens, Spicy MicroGreens or Winter Wheatgrass. These are all quick and easy growers, packed full of nutrients.

Wondering what other types of microgreens you can grow? If so, we've got exciting news—microgreens can be grown from the seeds of just about any vegetable, grain or herb.

You can use your AeroGarden to grow whatever type of microgreens you prefer. Just add your seeds of choice into the grow trays and follow the same directions. To help you choose, we've put together a list of 18 tasty and nutrient-packed microgreen types, along with their benefits and flavor profiles. We've also got the answers to all your questions about harvesting and storing your bumper crop. Read on!

What Kinds of Plants Can Be Grown for Microgreens?

Before we dig into the types of microgreens, let's cover the basics about these delicious little seedlings. Microgreens (sometimes called micro herbs or sprouts) are simply the seedling stage of an edible plant that you would typically eat at its mature stage.

You're probably familiar with radish, sunflower, or broccoli microgreens—these are some of the types most commonly found in the produce section. But nearly any veggie can be harvested at the microgreen stage and enjoyed in a variety of ways. Each variety has its own unique flavor, benefits, textures, and colors.

18 Nutrition-Packed Types of Microgreens

Here are some of the most common types of greens, along with an overview of their benefits and flavors. You'll be able to grow any of them in your AeroGarden!

Alfalfa

Benefits: Antioxidants, vitamins C and K, copper, folate and magnesium
Flavor profile: Very mild, similar to cress, nutty

Amaranth

Benefits: Vitamin A, C, E, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and essential lysine
Flavor profile: Mild sweet, earthy flavor reminiscent of mustard but with much less spice and a delicate grassy finish

Arugula

Benefits: Packed with antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals, and vitamins
Flavor profile: Sharp peppery, and spicy

Basil (All Varieties)

Benefits: Vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, calcium, choline, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc
Flavor profile: The familiar savory basil flavor, but stronger than the leaves of the mature plant

Beets

Benefits: Rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E and K
Flavor profile: Mild, earthy flavor

Broccoli

Benefits: Full of minerals, vitamin C and A, and high in iron and phosphorus
Flavor Profile: Mild broccoli or cabbage flavor

Buckwheat

Benefits: High in protein and rich in B and C Vitamins
Flavor profile: Tangy and earthy

Carrots

Benefits: Antioxidants, carotenes and vitamin A
Flavor profile: Mild, sweet carrot

Clover

Benefits: Magnesium, iron, zinc, and calcium
Flavor profile: Mild, fresh, nutty, and sweet

Collards

Benefits: High in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and Folate
Flavor profile: Cabbage-like

Cress

Benefits: One of the most nutrient-dense greens
Flavor profile: Bold and peppery, slightly bitter, with a touch of sweetness

Kale

Benefits: Good source of antioxidant vitamins and the minerals potassium and calcium
Flavor profile: Strong and nutty flavor, similar to broccoli

Mustard

Benefits: Vitamin A, C, E, energy and carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc
Flavor profile: Spicy, pungent, mustardy; more mild flavor the earlier they are harvested

Peas

Benefits: Pea shoots contain 8 times the folic acid of bean sprouts, and 7 times the vitamin C of blueberries
Flavor profile: Sweet and familiar pea flavor

Radishes

Benefits: High in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants
Flavor profile: Slightly spicy with a touch of heat; excellent on salads and sandwiches

Sorrel

Benefits: Filled with vitamins and minerals with powerful antioxidant properties
Flavor profile: Lemony, tart, slightly sour and tangy

Sunflower

Benefits: Rich in nutrient content, vitamin E, folate, and zinc
Flavor profile: Nutty, similar to sunflower seeds

Wheatgrass

Benefits: High in vitamins A, C and E, as well as iron, magnesium, calcium and amino acids
Flavor profile: Pungent and bitter, with grassy notes
Fun fact: Wheatgrass is gluten-free in its early stages of development, so you can enjoy it even if it even if you can't normally eat wheat products

FAQs About Microgreens

Still have some questions about how to make your microgreen garden a smashing success? Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about growing microgreens.

When Should I Harvest My Microgreens?

When seedlings first emerge from the seed, they already have a pair of tiny baby leaves known as seed leaves. These leaves won't have the same appearance as the plant's mature leaves.

As a rule of thumb for all microgreen varieties, you'll want to harvest when the seedlings have grown their first pair of true leaves, which form after the seed leaves.¹ Once the true leaves have appeared, it's time to snip those greens.

Don't wait too long—sprouts can become tough after this stage.

How Long Do Seeds Take to Sprout?

Germination time will vary depending on the type of microgreen you've selected. In general, sprouts should appear a few days after planting. Some types may take up to two weeks. Whatever variety you choose, your AeroGarden system can help the sprouts grow up to 5 times faster than seeds grown in soil.

How Long Will Microgreens Keep?

Harvested microgreens will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks after harvesting as long as they are stored properly in the refrigerator. You can also dehydrate microgreens in your oven or a food dehydrator to extend their shelf life (although they will lose some nutritional value).²

How Should I Store Harvested Microgreens?

Store your greens in a plastic bag or container. A paper towel in the container can help to absorb excess moisture. Be sure to dry them well before storing so they don't become soggy. Dry them carefully in a salad spinner, or by blotting with a paper towel. Be gentle—microgreens are delicate. Finally, don't wash your microgreens until you're ready to use them.³

Can I Freeze My Microgreens?

Unless you're planning to use your microgreens in a smoothie or soup, freezing isn't a good storage option. The cellular structure of the seedlings is so delicate that the freezing process breaks down the cell walls, leaving your greens with a gooey, slimy texture when they're thawed. The freezing process also reduces the nutritional value of the greens.⁴

Get Your Daily Dose of Veggies With AeroGarden

We hope this list has given you plenty of yummy ideas for your next planting decision. Once you've discovered how versatile and flavorful microgreens can be, we know you'll love growing this quick and easy crop.

With the help of your AeroGarden, you'll soon be enjoying crisp and juicy microgreens on fresh salads, your favorite sandwiches, or tossed in a stir-fry.

AeroGarden takes all the guesswork out of gardening, so you'll never have to wonder how often to water or how much sun your seedlings need. The only thing you'll need to worry about is which delicious variety to try first!

Sources:

^{1, 3}Penn State Extension. A step-by-step guide for growing microgreens at home. https://extension.psu.edu/a-step-by-step-guide-for-growing-microgreens-at-home

^{2, 4}Microgreens Corner. The 2 best ways to store microgreens after harvest. https://www.microgreenscorner.com/best-ways-to-store-microgreens-after-harvest/

Grocycle. Complete list of main types of microgreens you can grow. https://grocycle.com/types-of-microgreens/

Microgreens Corner. 8 common microgreen problems and how to fix them. https://www.microgreenscorner.com/common-microgreen-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/