How to Grow Celosia Microgreens: Soil and Reusable Silicone Methods

August 19, 2025

Celosia microgreens are one of our favorite specialty microgreens because of their vibrant, whimsical colors and unique appearance. If you're looking for a visually striking crop to grow at home or to showcase to your customers, celosia is a perfect choice.

In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to grow celosia microgreens on soil, including the supplies you need, step-by-step instructions, and tips for harvesting and using this beautiful crop. We'll also cover our 2026 discovery: celosia can now be grown on our reusable silicone grow medium using a seedling heat mat during germination.

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

Quick Answer: How Do You Grow Celosia Microgreens?

To grow celosia microgreens, fill a 10x20 tray with 6 cups of potting soil, evenly spread 8 grams of celosia seed across the surface, mist thoroughly, and cover with a no-holed tray plus 10 lbs of weight for 4 days of germination. On day 4, flip the cover into a blackout dome for 1 day, then move to light on day 5 and begin bottom watering with 1 cup of water. Most trays are ready to harvest around day 13 with a yield of roughly 96 grams. As of 2026, celosia can also be grown on our reusable silicone grow medium when paired with a seedling heat mat set to 75°F during germination.

Why Grow Celosia Microgreens

Celosia microgreens are a unique, eye-catching crop in the microgreens world:

They are a specialty microgreen with a fun, whimsical appearance, even at the tiny seedling stage.
The leaves develop vibrant shades of magenta, green, and yellow, giving each tray a striking, colorful look.
Celosia microgreens require longer grow times and a bit more attention, and they yield less than common microgreens like broccoli or sunflower, which makes them a higher-value crop for sellers.
Fairly easy to grow given the right conditions and medium.

Supplies Needed for Growing Celosia Microgreens

Here's what we use for our celosia microgreens on soil grow:

10x20 grow trays: a mesh tray with a no-holed tray underneath for easy watering.
Tray Clip Labelers: helps identify trays and makes watering simpler.
Potting soil: celosia seeds are tiny, which is why we default to soil over coco coir. The reusable silicone grow medium also now works for celosia with the heat mat method (covered below).
Celosia microgreen seeds: 8 grams for a 10x20 tray. Available through our affiliate partner True Leaf Market.
Pump-style sprayer: for misting seeds during germination.
Weights: about 10 lbs to help seeds maintain good contact with the soil during germination. See our weight to blackout transition guide for the full breakdown.
Harvest tools: a sharp knife, bowl, and scale for measuring yields. We keep our current picks in our Amazon affiliate storefront.
Grow lights: full-spectrum LED in the 5500K to 6500K range. See our complete microgreen lighting guide for our current setup.
Optional: a mat: keeps trays from sliding during harvest.

Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Celosia Microgreens on Soil

Step 1: Tray Preparation

Attach a Tray Clip Labeler to your tray first, this keeps things organized and makes watering easier. Fill your 10x20 tray with 6 cups of potting soil, breaking up any clumps and lightly tamping with your hands. You want a leveled surface without compacting the soil too much.

Step 2: Seeding the Tray

Evenly spread 8 grams of celosia seeds across the soil. Because the seeds are tiny, a little goes a long way. Too many seeds can block airflow and create mold or attract fungus gnats. Avoid large clumps to ensure even growth.

Step 3: Germination

Mist the seeds for 15 to 20 seconds using a pump-style sprayer. Place the no-holed tray on top and add 10 lbs of weight to trap humidity. Mist again later in the day if needed.

Step 4: Sprouting and Blackout (Day 4)

By day 4, sprouts will emerge and seed shells will mostly be gone. Mist the tray again and flip the top tray into a blackout dome. Place it back on the grow rack to encourage upright growth.

Step 5: First Light Exposure and Bottom Watering (Day 5)

Remove the blackout dome and expose your celosia microgreens to light. We use full-spectrum LED grow lights in the 5500K to 6500K range. Start bottom watering with 1 cup of water per tray. The soil already contains nutrients, so plain water is all you need at this stage.

Step 6: Continued Care (Days 6 to 12)

Water 1 to 2 times per day as needed, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. Celosia tolerates slightly longer growth periods without bitterness, unlike some other microgreens. Focus on developing well-formed true leaves for the best appearance.

Step 7: Harvesting Your Celosia Microgreens (Day 13)

Place a mat under the tray to prevent sliding. Use a sharp knife to gently cut the microgreens into a bowl. Celosia is delicate, so handle carefully. From one 10x20 tray with 8 grams of seed, we typically harvest around 96 grams.

For more on harvest techniques, see our guide on what works best for harvesting microgreens.

New for 2026: Growing Celosia on a Reusable Silicone Grow Medium

Celosia seeds are so small that they typically fall through the 1.2 mm mesh openings on our standard reusable silicone grow medium, which is why we always defaulted to soil for this variety. As of 2026, we've confirmed a method that lets you successfully grow celosia (and other tiny-seeded varieties like amaranth) directly on the reusable silicone grow medium.

The key is a seedling heat mat set to 75°F during germination. Here's how it works:

Set up your reusable silicone grow medium in your tray as usual, with the green solid tray underneath as the reservoir.
Lightly mist the silicone surface before seeding so the seeds make better contact with the medium.
Seed evenly across the silicone surface. Spread carefully since these seeds are tiny.
Mist once after seeding, then leave the tray alone for a couple of days. Place the tray on a seedling heat mat set to 75°F during this germination phase.
Check around day 2 to see if another light mist is needed. The heat mat plus the covered, moist environment usually keeps things damp enough without additional misting, but check anyway.
Once germination has clearly started (you'll see the first roots and sprouts emerging), move the tray off the heat mat.
From this point on, continue with the standard growing steps: blackout for a day, then move to light and bottom water as usual. No heat mat needed past germination.

This is the same method that's worked successfully for amaranth varieties (Red Garnet, Red Army, Bicolor, Glitter Mix) on the reusable silicone, and we're continuing to test it with other tiny-seeded varieties like red veined sorrel and Wasabina mustard. For the full breakdown of which seeds work on reusable grow mediums, see our seed compatibility guide for reusable grow mediums.

If you choose to grow celosia on the reusable silicone medium, you'll also need to add nutrients when you switch to bottom watering, since the silicone medium is completely inert (no nutrients of its own). We use Ocean Solution 2-0-3 mixed at 0.5 oz per gallon, with the water pH balanced to 5.5 to 6.0.

Celosia Microgreens: Flavor, Appearance, and Uses

Celosia microgreens are part of the amaranth family. Here's what makes them special:

Appearance: Some leaves are deep magenta on the undersides, others green with faint yellow stems.
Flavor: Mild, earthy taste with hints of spinach and green undertones. Some might notice a subtle aroma reminiscent of cress.
Uses: Perfect for garnishing salads, topping noodle bowls, or adding a pop of color to home-cooked dishes. Chefs love them for presentation and texture.

Because celosia has longer growth times, higher seed costs, and lower harvest weights, it is considered a specialty microgreen. In the U.S., it can sell for $5 to $10 per ounce depending on quality and region. If you're growing for restaurants, our best microgreens for restaurants guide covers what chefs actually pay for.

Close-up of vibrant magenta and green celosia microgreens growing in a tray

Tips for Storage and Selling Celosia Microgreens

Store away from excess moisture and not too close to the back of the fridge.
Shelf life is about 1 to 1.5 weeks.
Handle gently during harvest and packing to maintain appearance. The leaves are delicate and bruise easily compared to hardier varieties like broccoli or radish.
For sale, pack in clamshells or vented containers that protect the canopy from being crushed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow celosia microgreens?

Most celosia microgreens are ready to harvest around day 13 from seeding. Celosia has a longer grow cycle than common varieties like broccoli (typically 7 to 10 days), which is part of what makes it a specialty crop.

Can celosia be grown on a reusable silicone grow medium?

Yes, as of 2026 we've confirmed this works using a seedling heat mat set to 75°F during germination. Mist once after seeding, then leave the tray on the heat mat for a couple of days. Check around day 2 for moisture, move off the heat mat once germination starts, and continue with standard growing steps. Without the heat mat, the tiny seeds typically fall through the 1.2 mm mesh openings.

How many grams of seed do I need for a 10x20 tray of celosia?

8 grams per 10x20 tray. Celosia seeds are very small, so a little goes a long way. Over-seeding can lead to mold and poor airflow.

What's the yield from a 10x20 tray of celosia?

We typically harvest around 96 grams from a single 10x20 tray seeded at 8 grams. Yield can vary based on growing conditions, lighting, and harvest timing.

What does celosia microgreen taste like?

Mild and earthy with hints of spinach and faint green undertones. Some growers also notice a subtle aroma similar to cress. The flavor is gentler than radish or mustard microgreens, which makes celosia better suited as a visual garnish than as a flavor headliner.

Why is celosia considered a specialty microgreen?

Longer grow cycles (13 days vs. 7 to 10 for common varieties), higher seed costs, and lower harvest weights make celosia more expensive to produce per tray. The vibrant magenta, green, and yellow coloration makes it visually striking, which is what creates the higher market price ($5 to $10 per ounce in the U.S.).

Can I grow celosia microgreens without a heat mat?

On soil, yes. Soil holds celosia seeds in place without any need for a heat mat. The heat mat method only applies when growing celosia on a reusable silicone grow medium, where the small seeds would otherwise fall through the mesh.

Does celosia microgreen need fertilizer?

On soil, no. The potting soil already contains enough nutrients for a full grow cycle. On a reusable silicone grow medium, yes. The medium is completely inert, so you'll need to add nutrients like Ocean Solution 2-0-3 when you switch to bottom watering.

Final Thoughts

Growing celosia microgreens is a fun and rewarding experience. Their vibrant colors, delicate look, and mild flavor make them a specialty crop that stands out for both home growers and microgreen businesses. For those unfamiliar with the plant itself, celosia (also called cockscomb) is part of the amaranth family and is often grown ornamentally for its bright, textured flower heads and colorful foliage. At the microgreens stage, you get a quick, manageable, and visually striking harvest in about 13 days.

With our new 2026 reusable silicone grow medium method, you also have more flexibility than ever for how you choose to grow celosia, whether you stick with classic soil or go with a sustainable reusable setup.

For more on growing specialty crops and microgreen techniques, check out our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens PDF, our book Becoming a Microgreen Master, or our full Microgreen Masterclass course.

CJ & Mandi, On The Grow

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How to Grow Celosia Microgreens: Soil and Reusable Silicone Methods
Updated: May 25, 2026
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