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Will Microgreens Regrow After Harvesting?

It's one of the most common questions we receive: "Will my microgreens regrow after I harvest them?" The short answer? For most varieties, no. But understanding why reveals fascinating insights into plant biology, and helps you make smarter growing decisions.

If you're brand new to growing, start with our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens or grab the $3.99 printable Beginner's Guide PDF for the full grow-to-harvest walkthrough.

Quick Answer: Do Microgreens Regrow After Harvest?

No, most microgreens do not regrow after harvest. Microgreens are harvested at the cotyledon stage, which means the harvest cut removes the apical meristem (the plant's main growing point), and at this early stage the seed's stored energy is nearly fully spent on the first flush of growth. Pea microgreens are the most notable exception, since they have larger energy reserves and can produce lateral shoots from stem nodes, but second-harvest yields are dramatically smaller (about 70 to 80% lower in our testing), and quality, flavor, and food safety all decline. For consistent results, starting a fresh tray after each harvest is always the better choice.

The Biology Behind Single-Harvest Crops

Most microgreen varieties are considered single-harvest crops. Once you cut your tray, those plants typically won't regrow. This isn't a limitation of your growing method, it's how these plants are designed to function at this early stage of development.

Microgreens undergo a rapid growth cycle, typically harvested just after the cotyledon leaves fully develop and before the first true leaves emerge. To understand why regrowth is so rare, we need to look at two key plant structures: cotyledons and the apical meristem.

Cotyledons: The Plant's Energy Bank

Cotyledons (often called "seed leaves") are the first leaves that emerge from a germinating seed. Unlike the true leaves that develop later, cotyledons have a specific job: to store and provide energy reserves for the seedling's initial growth.

According to plant biology research, until the cotyledons open and become green, the seedling lives off the energy reserves stored in the seed. These reserves include starches, proteins, and oils that fuel the plant's early development before it can photosynthesize efficiently.

When you harvest microgreens at the cotyledon stage (which is standard practice) the plant's seed usually only contains enough energy to get the first set of leaves up. After the first round of microgreens, all of the energy stored in the seed is spent with none left to try and regrow from.

Harvested Rambo and Hong Vit radish microgreens on a plate showing vibrant pink and purple color

The Apical Meristem: The Growing Point

The second critical factor is the shoot apical meristem (SAM). This is the growing tip of the plant that contains stem cells capable of continuous division and growth. The apical meristem is located at the very top of the seedling, right where you make your harvest cut.

Research on plant development shows that apical meristems give rise to the primary plant body and are responsible for the extension of the roots and shoots through unlimited division of meristematic cells.

When you harvest microgreens by cutting above the soil line (standard practice whether you're growing on soil, coco coir, or reusable silicone grow mediums) you remove this apical meristem. Without it, most plants simply cannot generate new growth.

The Pea Exception: Why Some Varieties Can Regrow

While most microgreens follow the single-harvest rule, pea shoots stand out as a notable exception. For a full walkthrough of growing peas, see our How to Grow Pea Microgreens on Various Trays guide.

Pea microgreens can send up new shoots after cutting because they have two advantages: larger seeds with more stored energy, and the ability to produce lateral (side) shoots from nodes along the stem. If you cut peas carefully above the lowest growth node, they can sometimes produce a second flush of growth.

But here's the reality: even with peas, regrowth is slower, yields are smaller, flavor quality declines, and you increase the risk of mold and disease issues. (For more on mold issues, see our complete mold prevention and identification guide.)

Other varieties that growers occasionally report limited regrowth from include:

  • Lettuce microgreens (sometimes 2 to 3 harvests with declining quality)
  • Celery microgreens (slow but possible)
  • Some herbs like basil and cilantro (inconsistent results)

However, across all varieties that can regrow, the consensus from experienced growers is clear: it is impossible to regrow microgreens after cutting with the same rate, and there is also a difference observed in their flavor and taste.

Real-World Testing: Pea Microgreen Regrowth Experiment

We've tested regrowth ourselves using pea microgreens in three different growing setups. Here's what we found:

First Harvest (Day 9):

We allowed those same trays to regrow under identical conditions for another 9 days.

Second Harvest (Day 18):

The second harvest wasn't just smaller, the microgreens were more fibrous, less vibrant, and showed signs of stress. This dramatic drop in both yield and quality illustrates why regrowth isn't commercially viable.

Dwarf Grey Sugar Snap pea microgreens up close ready for harvest

Why Starting Fresh Makes More Sense

Beyond the biology, there are several practical reasons why starting a new tray beats attempting regrowth:

Speed: It's much faster to plant new seeds and get a fresh supply of microgreens instead of waiting for those cut microgreens to recover and grow again. Most microgreens are ready to harvest in 7 to 14 days from seeding. Waiting for regrowth often takes just as long or longer.

Quality: First-harvest microgreens consistently deliver:

  • Better flavor and texture
  • More vibrant colors
  • Higher nutrient density
  • Uniform growth patterns

Food Safety: The longer plants sit in growing medium, the higher the risk of mold, fungal growth, and bacterial contamination. Fresh starts mean cleaner, safer harvests. For commercial growers selling to restaurants or markets, this is especially important. See the FDA's Produce Safety Rule for more on food safety in fresh produce.

Resource Efficiency: While it might seem wasteful to start fresh each time, consider that:

The Exception for Home Growers

If you're growing microgreens at home purely for experimentation or education, trying for a second harvest can be a fun learning experience. Just understand that commercially it is not recommended to regrow microgreens as it produces lower yield and can affect taste quality, plus you're waiting too much time for a second yield when it's better to sow new batches.

For home growers wanting to experiment with regrowth:

  • Cut peas, lettuce, or celery about 1 inch above the soil or medium line
  • Leave at least the cotyledons intact (or first true leaves for herbs)
  • Continue watering carefully. Avoid overwatering which promotes mold
  • Provide good air circulation
  • Consider adding diluted fertilizer like OceanSolution 2-0-3 at 0.5 oz per gallon, pH 5.5 to 6.0
  • Expect diminished returns

What Happens If You Let Them Keep Growing?

Some growers ask: "What if I don't harvest at all, what happens then?"

If you leave microgreens beyond their typical harvest window, they'll simply continue their normal life cycle. They'll develop more true leaves, stronger stems, and eventually grow into baby greens or full-sized vegetable plants, assuming they have enough space, which is unlikely given typical microgreen seeding densities.

However, at high seeding densities used for microgreens, normal plants need bigger stems, roots, and everything else, which means they need more space. Overcrowded plants become weak, leggy, and prone to disease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Microgreen Regrowth

Do microgreens grow back after cutting?

No, most microgreen varieties do not grow back after cutting. The harvest cut removes the apical meristem (the main growing point), and the seed's stored energy is nearly fully spent on the first flush of growth. A few varieties like peas, lettuce, and celery can sometimes produce a second smaller harvest, but yields drop dramatically and quality declines.

Can pea microgreens regrow?

Yes, pea microgreens are the most reliable variety for regrowth because they have large seeds with more stored energy and produce lateral shoots from stem nodes. However, in our testing, a second pea harvest delivered about 70 to 80% less weight than the first harvest, with more fibrous texture and reduced flavor.

Why don't most microgreens regrow?

Two main reasons: first, microgreens are harvested at the cotyledon stage, when the seed's stored energy is almost completely used up. Second, the harvest cut typically removes the shoot apical meristem (the part of the plant capable of generating new growth). Without energy reserves or a growing point, most varieties cannot recover.

How many times can you harvest microgreens?

For nearly all common microgreen varieties (broccoli, radish, kale, sunflower, mustard, etc.), you harvest one time. Peas, lettuce, and a few herbs can technically produce 2 to 3 harvests with declining yield and quality, but starting a fresh tray is faster, cleaner, and produces better results in almost every case.

What happens if you don't harvest microgreens?

If left alone, microgreens will continue their normal plant life cycle and try to develop true leaves and grow into mature plants. However, the high seeding density used for microgreens means plants quickly become overcrowded, leggy, weak, and vulnerable to disease, so they rarely grow into healthy mature plants without thinning and transplanting.

Can you regrow microgreens hydroponically?

The growing method (soil, coco coir, reusable silicone grow medium, Kratky, aeroponic) doesn't change whether microgreens can regrow. Regrowth depends on whether the variety has enough stored energy and surviving growth nodes after harvest, not on the medium. In our three-tray Kratky vs. standard tray vs. sprouting tray test, the second harvest dropped 72 to 78% across every method.

Should I regrow microgreens or start a new tray?

Starting a new tray is almost always the better choice. Fresh microgreens deliver better flavor, color, texture, and yield, with lower food safety risk and roughly the same turnaround time as waiting for regrowth. The only reason to attempt regrowth is for experimentation or education at home.

The Bottom Line

For most microgreen growers, whether using traditional soil, modern hydroponics setups, or sustainable reusable silicone grow mediums, starting fresh after each harvest is the best practice.

You'll get:

  • ✅ Faster turnaround times
  • ✅ Better flavor and texture
  • ✅ Higher yields per square foot
  • ✅ Consistent quality
  • ✅ Reduced food safety risks
  • ✅ More predictable growing schedules

While it's true that a few varieties like peas can technically regrow, the diminished quality and yields make it rarely worthwhile. The beauty of microgreens is their rapid growth cycle. Why compromise on quality when you can have a fresh, healthy tray ready in just 1 to 2 weeks?

Want to learn more about growing microgreens efficiently? Check out our Microgreen Masterclass for comprehensive growing techniques, or explore our complete selection of growing supplies designed for consistent, high-quality harvests. If you're looking for a deeper dive into microgreen education, start with our best microgreen growing advice and resources hub.

Have you experimented with regrowing microgreens? We'd love to hear about your results in the comments!

Happy growing! 🌱

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Sources Cited

This blog references peer-reviewed plant biology research and practical growing experience including:

Updated: May 23, 2026
All content is property of On The Grow®, LLC

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