Can You Grow Microgreens on Paper Towels? Coco Coir vs. Paper Towel Experiment

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as business, health, or environmental advice. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of the post.

If you've ever wondered whether you can really grow microgreens on paper towels, you're not alone. It's one of the most asked questions in our community. Back in 2020, we put it to the test with a side-by-side experiment: coco coir versus paper towel, same seeds, same conditions, same care. That video is now one of our top 3 most-watched microgreens videos on YouTube with over 500,000 views.

This blog walks through what we found in the experiment, what we've learned in the years since, and the food safety considerations every grower should understand before using paper towels with food crops.

Brand new to microgreens? Pair this blog with our beginner's guide to growing microgreens for the full foundation.

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Quick Answer: Can You Grow Microgreens on Paper Towels?

Yes, you can grow microgreens on paper towels, but coco coir significantly outperformed paper towels in our side-by-side test. Coco coir averaged 422.5 grams per tray compared to 250.5 grams on paper towels (a 41% lower yield). Paper towels also dry out quickly, lack nutrients, and may contain chemicals like dioxins, PFAS, or formaldehyde from the bleaching and manufacturing process. For food crops, we recommend a tested grow medium like coco coir, soil, or our reusable silicone grow medium over paper towels.

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The Premise of Our Experiment

The experiment was designed to evaluate Long Scarlett Cincinnati Radish microgreens grown in coco coir versus those grown on paper towels. Coco coir, a by-product of coconut husks, is known for its water retention and aeration properties, which is why so many hydroponic growers use it. Paper towels, on the other hand, are an unconventional choice with one big appeal: cost.

Coco coir is available through our Amazon affiliate link (we no longer sell coco coir directly), and quality microgreen seeds like the radish variety we used can be found through our affiliate partner True Leaf Market.

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Experiment Setup

The experiment ran for 8 days from seeding to harvest, with observations and adjustments made along the way.

Test details:

• Tray Setup: Two 1020 trays filled with coco coir, two 1020 trays with paper towels as the only medium
• Seed Quantity: Each tray was sown with 25 grams of Long Scarlett Cincinnati radish microgreen seeds
• Germination Period: All trays underwent a 4-day germination process: 3 days under weight and 1 day in blackout
• Consistent Treatment: Every tray received the same care, watering schedule, and environmental conditions throughout

If you're not sure how much weight to use on different varieties, our free Tray-Specific Seeding Guide PDF covers it variety by variety.

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Day-by-Day Observations

Days 2 to 3: Germination Phase

• Coco Coir: Strong, even germination with the initial roots (radicles) effectively penetrating the medium and anchoring the seeds.
• Paper Towel: Visible germination, but with noticeably less radicle penetration. A significant number of seeds failed to drive their radicles into the paper towel surface, which led to early seed loss.

Day 5: Lighting Phase

• Coco Coir: Strong growth across both trays. One tray needed a top-up of water due to slight drying.
• Paper Towel: Slower growth with visible signs of stress, including reddening of the stems, likely from inconsistent moisture and lack of nutrients.

Day 6: Approaching Harvest

• Coco Coir: Nearly ready for harvest with true leaves emerging.
• Paper Towel: Beginning to catch up. A decent harvest was starting to look possible, which honestly surprised us given the slow start.

Day 8: Harvest Day

• Coco Coir: Healthy, tall crop with true leaves showing and uniform coverage.
• Paper Towel: Despite the germination issues earlier, the surviving crop produced a viable harvest. This was actually the first time we'd ever pulled a successful harvest off paper towel.

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Harvesting Process

Harvesting from coco coir was straightforward using a harvesting knife, although some medium clung to the stems and required a quick rinse.

Paper towels were trickier. Because there was less medium for roots to grip into, the entire mat tended to lift with the harvest, which meant we had to cut very carefully to avoid pulling out roots or tearing the towel into the harvest. For more on harvesting techniques, see our guide on what works best for harvesting microgreens.

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Harvest Weights and Cost Comparison

• Coco Coir Tray 1: 410 grams
• Coco Coir Tray 2: 435 grams
• Paper Towel Tray 1: 292 grams
• Paper Towel Tray 2: 210 grams

Coco coir average: 422.5 grams per tray
Paper towel average: 250.5 grams per tray
Yield difference: Coco coir produced about 41% more harvest weight than paper towels.

Cost per tray (2020 numbers):

• Coco coir: Approximately 78 cents per 10x20 tray for the brand we used. Factoring in nutrient costs and slightly higher water usage, the total cost per tray was estimated around $1.50.
• Paper towel: Around $0.01 per tray depending on brand.

Costs have changed since 2020, so consider these figures relative comparisons rather than current pricing. The big takeaway: paper towels are dramatically cheaper, but yields suffered enough that the cost-per-gram-harvested gap closes considerably once you do the math.

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Post-Harvest Analysis

Medium comparison:

• Coco Coir: Very healthy root structure with minimal issues across both trays.
• Paper Towel: Some sections of poor germination, but overall healthy growth where seeds did establish.

Crop appearance:

• Coco Coir: Taller crops with a healthy color and minimal undergrowth.
• Paper Towel: Shorter overall height, but reasonable uniformity. Some yellowing of cotyledons indicated stress or nutrient deficiency.

Taste test:

A blind taste test revealed no significant difference in flavor between the two. Both delivered the characteristic spicy kick of radish microgreens.

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What We've Learned Since 2020: Paper Towel Drawbacks Beyond Yield

The original experiment focused on yield and growth performance. But in the years since, two additional issues with paper towels have become clearer, both worth understanding before you decide to use them as a food-crop growing medium.

1. Paper Towels Dry Out Fast

Paper towels hold significantly less moisture than coco coir, soil, or a reusable silicone grow medium. Many growers report needing to mist or water 2 to 3 times per day to keep them from drying out completely, which is a much higher hands-on workload than other mediums. Miss a watering, and germination can stall or seeds can die outright.

2. Paper Towels Have Zero Nutrients

Soil has its own nutrient profile. Coco coir is inert but easily accepts hydroponic nutrients. Paper towels offer neither. Anything your microgreens get during the grow has to come from fertilized water, and even then, the limited contact area between root and towel makes nutrient uptake less efficient than on a proper grow medium.

3. Food Safety: Chemicals in Conventional Paper Towels

This is the part that's gotten significantly more attention since 2020, and it's the most important update to add. Conventional paper towels are not designed or tested for food contact, and independent testing has flagged several concerns:

• Chlorine bleaching and dioxins: Most white paper towels are bleached. Chlorine-based bleaching can leave trace dioxins and furans in the final product, both of which are classified as carcinogens.
• Formaldehyde: Used in some paper towel manufacturing to improve wet strength. Also a known carcinogen.
• PFAS ("forever chemicals"): Independent lab testing by groups like Mamavation has found indications of PFAS contamination in multiple paper towel brands. PFAS are persistent industrial chemicals linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects.
• BPA and bisphenols: Particularly common in paper towels made from recycled fibers, where the recycled material may have originally contained thermal receipt paper.

For a single use cleaning up a kitchen spill, these residues are likely minimal. But when you're growing food crops directly on the towel, with seeds in continuous wet contact for 7 to 10 days, the exposure profile changes. Any chemicals in the towel can leach into the water and potentially into the plant tissue itself.

If you do choose to use paper towels for microgreens despite these concerns, look for products that are:

• Unbleached (skip chlorine processing entirely)
• PFAS-free (third-party tested where possible)
• Made from FSC-certified virgin fiber rather than recycled (recycled can carry contamination from the original source material)
• Free of fragrances, dyes, and antimicrobial coatings

Bamboo-based paper towels and totally chlorine-free (TCF) products are generally considered safer options, though no paper towel has been specifically tested or rated for food growing.

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Coco Coir, Reusable Silicone, and Other Better-Tested Alternatives

If food safety is a priority (and for anyone growing microgreens to eat, it should be), there are several mediums that have been specifically used and tested for food crops over many years:

• Coco coir: Inert, food-safe, holds moisture well, supports strong root structure. Our preferred medium for new growers who want a forgiving option.
• Quality seed-starting soil: Natural nutrients, holds moisture, forgiving for beginners. Just be sure it's labeled for food crop use.
• Reusable silicone grow medium: Our reusable silicone grow mediums are made from virgin food-grade platinum-cured silicone, FDA compliant per 21 CFR 177.2600, and LFGB Tested and Compliant. Rated for 20 to 30+ growing cycles, which makes them dramatically more cost-effective than paper towels over time once you factor in yield and reuse.

For more on choosing the right medium and which seeds work best on each, see our seed compatibility guide for reusable grow mediums.

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Final Verdict

Coco coir is the clear winner in our experiment for yield, growth quality, root development, and ease of harvest. Paper towels did better than we expected, but the yield gap, the high watering demands, the lack of nutrients, and the food safety concerns make them a tough recommendation for anyone growing microgreens to eat.

That said, paper towels can still be a fun, low-cost option for:

• Classroom experiments or kid science projects
• Testing seed viability before committing to a full tray
• Learning the basics of germination without investing in equipment

If you're growing food to eat, choose a tested medium. If you're experimenting or teaching, paper towels can be a great hands-on tool, just choose unbleached, PFAS-free options when food contact is involved.

Want to go deeper? Check out our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens PDF, our book Becoming a Microgreen Master, or our full Microgreen Masterclass course.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can microgreens grow on paper towels?

Yes, microgreens can grow on paper towels, but yields are significantly lower than on coco coir, soil, or a reusable silicone grow medium. In our experiment, paper towels produced 41% less harvest weight than coco coir under identical conditions.

Why do my microgreens grow better on coco coir than paper towel?

Coco coir holds moisture longer, allows roots to penetrate and anchor properly, and accepts hydroponic nutrients. Paper towels dry out fast, give roots almost nothing to grip into, and have no nutrient profile at all.

Are paper towels safe for growing food?

Conventional paper towels can contain trace amounts of dioxins, formaldehyde, PFAS, and bisphenols from the bleaching and manufacturing process. They are not designed or certified for food contact during a multi-day grow. If you choose to use them for microgreens, look for unbleached, PFAS-free, FSC-certified virgin fiber options.

How often do you need to water microgreens on paper towels?

Paper towels dry out fast and typically need misting 2 to 3 times per day during germination, significantly more attention than coco coir, soil, or reusable silicone, all of which retain moisture much better.

Can I use coffee filters or napkins instead of paper towels?

These have similar food safety considerations to paper towels (bleaching, potential chemical residues), and they generally hold even less moisture. We don't recommend them for food crops. Stick with coco coir, soil, or a reusable silicone grow medium.

What's the most cost-effective grow medium for microgreens long-term?

Our reusable silicone grow medium is rated for 20 to 30+ grow cycles, which spreads the cost across many harvests. Once you do the math on yield-per-dollar across the lifespan of the medium, reusable silicone is generally the most cost-effective option for serious growers.

Is bleach in paper towels really a concern for microgreens?

The trace dioxins and chlorine byproducts from bleaching are a real consideration when food crops are in direct, continuous wet contact with the towel for 7 to 10 days. The exposure is not equivalent to a quick kitchen wipe-up. If you use paper towels for microgreens, unbleached is the safer choice.

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Related Blogs You Might Enjoy

• Case Study: Coco Coir vs. Reusable Grow Medium
• Meet Our Reusable Silicone Grow Medium
• Seed Compatibility for Reusable Grow Mediums
• How to Start Growing Microgreens: Beginner's Guide
• How to Grow Broccoli Microgreens
• How to Grow Microgreens in 10x20 Trays
• Microgreens Seed Quality & Food Safety Guide
• Why Are My Microgreens Moldy? Mold vs. Root Hairs
• Top Microgreen Growing Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
• Weight to Blackout Transition Guide

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Disclaimer

All information in this blog is based on our 2020 YouTube video "Can Paper Towels Grow Microgreens Successfully? Coco Coir vs Paper Towel", available in our on-site Video Library, along with additional information gathered in the years since. Costs and prices may vary due to changes in the cost of goods since the original 2020 experiment, as well as differences in brands of items used. This was a single experiment and is not meant to be a complete or final conclusion of all possible results. This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as health, environmental, business, or legal advice. The food safety information on chemicals in paper towels is summarized from publicly available reporting and independent testing organizations (including Mamavation's PFAS testing); for personal health decisions, consult relevant safety standards and qualified professionals.

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Can You Grow Microgreens on Paper Towels? Coco Coir vs. Paper Towel Experiment
Published: November 2023
Updated: May 25, 2026
All content is property of On The Grow®, LLC