How to Grow Pea Microgreens on Various Trays: Quick and Easy Guide
(Disclaimer: this is not intended to be business or health advice. Read the end of the blog for more info.)
As you've probably noticed, there's a wide variety of tray styles and sizes available for growing microgreens. Your choice of trays will impact the amount of seed, growing medium, and sometimes the methods you use. While much of this information is available in our on-site Video Library, as well as our Free Tray-Specific Seeding Guide, we understand the value of having a comprehensive resource where you can find everything in one place. In this blog, we'll focus on the cultivation of pea microgreens specifically. New to microgreens entirely? Start with our beginner's guide to growing microgreens or grab our Beginner's Guide PDF.
Quick Answer: How to Grow Pea Microgreens
To grow pea microgreens, soak 130 to 260 grams of dry pea seeds (depending on tray size) for 8 to 12 hours, then plant directly on a mesh tray with no medium or on coco coir. Place a no-holed tray with 3 to 15 lbs of weight on top, mist twice daily, and germinate in the dark for 3 to 5 days. Once germinated, switch to a blackout dome for 1 to 2 days, then move under light. Bottom-water with plain water (peas in soil/mesh) or nutrient water (peas on coco coir or reusable medium). Harvest in 8 to 14 days when stems reach 3 to 5 inches tall.
Pea Microgreens: Choosing Seed
There are a TON of pea microgreen seed varieties available, and while we have yet to try all of them out, we have tested quite a few and have figured out our personal favorites, as well as ones we don't recommend. Let's first start with the ones we tend to have problems with, and our experience with them.
Pea Microgreen Seeds We Have Problems With:
- Snow Peas
- Lincoln Peas
The reason these two varieties are on our problematic list is because they have given us the most trouble. In fact, these two varieties are the only two pea seeds that we have never been able to make it past germination, even with adjusting the soaking times. They seem to be finicky for us.
Pea Microgreen Seeds That Are In-Between:
- Green Peas
The reason this variety is on our in-between list is because sometimes they grow and germinate amazingly, and then other times we end up with a tray of mold, ungerminated seeds, and that pungently foul smell of rotting pea seeds (you're lucky if you haven't experienced it yet).
Pea Microgreen Seeds That We LOVE:
- Dwarf Grey Sugar Snap Peas
- Speckled Peas
- Tendril Peas
- Yellow Peas
- Sugar Snap Peas
These are our top five favorite pea microgreens to grow, and here's why:
- Dwarf Grey Sugar Snap Peas have much more tender stems than other varieties. Nice and leafy. They can get quite tall naturally, making for abundant harvests, and they get minimal tendrils.
- Speckled Peas are a beautiful in-between pea variety for those looking for the pretty tendril that peas get, as well as leaves. They grow abundantly.
- Tendril Peas, the name says it all. This pea variety gets some of the best tendrils. However, you have to be careful not to let them grow for too long or they get really tangled up.
- Yellow Peas are another favorite for the lush growth and pretty leaves.
- Sugar Snap Peas have lush growth with a gentle tendril.
Keep in mind that everything listed above is from our experiences with each variety, and it could completely differ for you and your grow space, as well as the methods you use to grow them. Peas can sometimes be tricky, however, they are also one of the easiest and most aggressive microgreens to grow, making them perfect for beginners. We recommend purchasing your seeds from True Leaf Market, our trusted seed source. Now let's move into how to grow pea microgreens.
Important Note on Peas and Reusable Mediums
Peas have aggressive root systems that tangle deeply into mesh and silicone surfaces, which makes them difficult to remove cleanly. Peas perform best when grown directly on a bare mesh tray with NO medium. If you prefer to use a medium with peas, coco coir is your best option. The 1.7mm large-hole version of our reusable silicone grow medium is the only silicone option we recommend for peas, since the larger hole size accommodates their aggressive roots better than the standard 1.2mm version. For more on what grows well on each silicone medium, see our seed compatibility guide.
How to Grow Pea Microgreens on a Deep Sprouting Tray
Tray Style: Deep Sprouting Tray
External Size: 12.25" x 9.5" x 4.25" with lid
Seed Amount: ~180 grams dry seed
Soaking: 8 to 12 hours
Medium: Directly on mesh tray
Average Harvest Weight: ~352 grams
When growing pea microgreens in our deep sprouting tray or large sprouting trays, we typically use approximately 180 grams of dry pea seeds per tray. These seeds are soaked for 8 to 12 hours, depending on the seed variety. For example, the Dwarf Grey Sugar Snap Peas do well with an 8-hour soak, and a sprouting jar kit works well for soaking.
We start by filling the bottom green tray with 2 cups of water before planting the pre-soaked seeds directly onto the white mesh tray and placing it on top of the green tray. The water in the green tray helps maintain seed moisture, and it's advisable to refresh this water every 2 to 3 days.
Before covering the seeds with the inverted humidity dome, we give them a quick mist with either water or a DIY organic pest and disease control spray. Going forward, we mist the seeds 1 to 2 times per day, paying extra attention to the edges, which tend to dry out first.
Around Day 5, we flip the dome into a humidity dome and position it near a light source. As long as the bottom tray has water, additional misting should not be necessary. After about 2 days, or when the microgreens are pushing the dome up themselves, we remove the dome. Now, all you need to do is maintain the water level in the bottom reservoir and refresh the water until it's time to harvest.
Note: We are phasing out our sprouting tray product line as of 2026. If you currently have a deep sprouting tray, these methods still apply. For new growers, we recommend starting with the 7x14 OTG Microgreen Tray Kit or a standard 10x20 setup covered below.
How to Grow Pea Microgreens on the 7x14 OTG Microgreen Tray Kit
Tray Style: 7x14 OTG Microgreen Tray Kit
External Size: 14.4" x 7.25" x 4.2" (with lid)
Seed Amount: ~130 grams dry seed
Soaking: 8 to 12 hours
Medium: Directly on mesh tray
Average Harvest Weight: ~280 grams
When growing pea microgreens with our 7x14 OTG Microgreen Tray Kit, we typically use around 130 grams of dry pea seeds per tray. These seeds are soaked for 8 to 12 hours, varying depending on the seed type. We start by filling the bottom white tray with 3 cups of water, filling it just up to the inner knobs. Next, we plant the pre-soaked seeds directly onto the white mesh tray and place it on top of the water-filled tray. This water reservoir helps maintain seed moisture, and it's a good practice to refresh this water every 2 to 3 days.
Before covering the seeds with the inverted humidity dome, we give them a quick mist with either water or a DIY organic pest and disease control spray. To provide weight and pressure, we employ mason jars filled halfway with water, placing one on each side of the inverted humidity dome. Going forward, we mist the seeds 1 to 2 times daily, paying extra attention to the edges, which tend to dry out first.
Around Day 4, we flip the lid into a humidity dome and position it near a light source. As long as the bottom tray has water, additional misting should not be necessary. After 24 hours, remove the dome. Now, all that's left is to maintain the water level in the bottom reservoir and refresh the water as needed until it's time to harvest. For more on this kit specifically, see our 7x14 Microgreen Tray Kit complete growing guide.
How to Grow Pea Microgreens on a 10x20 Tray
Tray Style: Standard 10x20 Tray
External Size: 21" x 10¾" x 1¼"
Seed Amount: ~200 to 260 grams dry seed
Soaking: 8 to 12 hours
Medium: Directly on mesh tray or coco coir
Average Harvest Weight: ~300 to 700 grams
When growing pea microgreens in a standard 1-inch 10x20 tray, or a 2-inch deep tray, we typically use 200 to 260 grams of dry pea seeds per tray. We soak the seeds for 8 to 12 hours, depending on the seed variety. After pre-soaking, we plant the seeds directly onto a mesh tray, though coco coir or soil can also be used. Once the tray is seeded, we lightly mist the seeds with either water or a DIY organic pest and disease control spray and cover them with another tray without holes. Additionally, we place 7 to 15 pounds of weight on top. Going forward, we mist the seeds 1 to 2 times daily, paying special attention to the edges as they tend to dry out first.
Around Day 3, we remove the weight, mist the seeds, and flip the top tray in "blackout" (to create a dome) for 24 hours in darkness. After this period, we remove the top tray and expose the microgreens to light for the first time. All that remains is to ensure the bottom reservoir has an adequate water supply until it's time to harvest. For everything about 10x20 trays, see our complete guide to growing microgreens in 10x20 trays.
When using these trays, you have a few cultivation methods to choose from. In the videos below, you can explore two popular options: using no medium or coco coir as a growing medium, as well as deciding between traditional watering or the Kratky watering method.
Video 1: How to Grow Peas on Coco Coir
Video 2: Kratky Method With No Medium
Pro Tips for Growing Pea Microgreens
A few extra tips that don't always make it into the step-by-step instructions:
Always soak your pea seeds. Unlike many smaller microgreen varieties (like broccoli or radish) where soaking is optional, peas absolutely need a pre-soak to germinate well. An 8 to 12 hour soak softens the hard seed coat and dramatically improves germination rates.
Rinse soaked seeds before planting. After the soak, drain and rinse your peas with fresh water. This removes any compounds released by the seed during soaking and helps prevent mold issues during germination.
Don't skip the weight. Peas push hard against a weighted lid during germination, which produces stronger, more upright stems with better hull removal. Without weight, you'll often end up with weaker, more sprawling plants.
Harvest before the tendrils tangle. Pea microgreens are at peak quality when they're 3 to 5 inches tall with the first true leaves starting to emerge. Wait too long and the tendrils tangle into a mat that's harder to harvest and store. For more on harvest method, see our harvest method guide.
Pea shoots regrow once. Unlike most microgreens, pea microgreens can sometimes produce a second smaller harvest if you leave the roots intact and continue bottom-watering. The second cut won't be as abundant, but it's a nice bonus. See our blog on whether microgreens regrow after harvesting for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to soak pea seeds before planting?
Yes. Peas have hard seed coats that need an 8 to 12 hour soak to soften and reliably germinate. Without soaking, you'll see slow, patchy germination and a much higher chance of mold from ungerminated seeds. Always rinse your peas after soaking and before planting.
How long do pea microgreens take to grow?
Pea microgreens typically take 8 to 14 days from seed to harvest, depending on the variety, tray size, and growing conditions. They're ready when stems reach 3 to 5 inches tall and the first true leaves start to emerge. Wait too long and the tendrils will tangle into a hard-to-harvest mat.
What's the best pea variety for microgreens?
Our top picks are Dwarf Grey Sugar Snap Peas (tender stems, leafy growth, minimal tendrils), Speckled Peas (beautiful mix of leaves and tendrils), Tendril Peas (best tendrils, but harvest promptly), Yellow Peas (lush leaves), and Sugar Snap Peas (gentle tendrils with lush growth). Avoid Snow Peas and Lincoln Peas as both have given us consistent germination problems.
Can I grow pea microgreens without a medium?
Yes, and this is actually our preferred method. Peas have aggressive root systems that tangle deeply into any medium, making them difficult to remove cleanly at harvest. Growing peas directly on a bare mesh tray over a water reservoir gives the cleanest harvest with the least cleanup. If you prefer a medium, coco coir works well or the 1.7mm large-hole version of our reusable silicone grow medium.
Why are my pea microgreens molding?
The most common causes of mold on pea microgreens are over-soaking the seeds (more than 12 hours), skipping the rinse after soaking, over-watering during germination, poor airflow, or seeding too densely. Rotting pea seeds also have a distinctive foul smell that's hard to mistake. For a deeper dive, see our mold prevention and identification guide.
How much seed do I need per tray?
Seed amount depends on tray size. For a 10x20 tray, use 200 to 260 grams of dry pea seeds. For a 7x14 OTG kit, use ~130 grams. For a deep sprouting tray, use ~180 grams. These numbers reflect dry weight before soaking. Soaked seeds will expand significantly.
Conclusion
We trust that this blog has provided you with valuable insights into growing pea microgreens, whether for your home or business. It's important to keep in mind that you might need to make adjustments to the steps, methods, or seed quantities based on your specific growing environment, seed brand, or seed variety. Our own experience in zone 8a, where we encounter varying weather conditions such as heat and humidity, can impact our growth. In locations with extreme cold or heat, germination and growth rates may differ from our own, potentially being slower or faster. Grow space temperatures are a key factor influencing your watering needs. In colder temperatures, plants tend to require less water, while in hot conditions, they may demand more.
If you'd like to learn more about some of the microgreen lingo used within this blog, such as "blackout" and "weight," be sure to download our Free PDF: Microgreen Troubleshooting, FAQ & Lingo where we discuss this and so much more.
All information within this blog is not meant to serve as guidance for health, environmental concerns, or business decisions. Instead, it's a resource to help give you a baseline of where to start when growing.
Related Blogs You Might Enjoy
- How to Grow Pea Microgreens (Pea Shoots): A Complete Guide
- How to Grow Broccoli Microgreens
- How to Grow Radish Microgreens: The Fastest Beginner Crop
- How to Start Growing Microgreens: Beginner's Guide
- How to Grow Microgreens in 10x20 Trays
- 7x14 Microgreen Tray Kit Complete Growing Guide
- Meet Our Reusable Silicone Grow Medium
- Compatible Microgreen Seeds for Reusable Grow Mediums
- Growing Microgreens Using the Kratky Method
- Why Are My Microgreens Moldy? Mold vs. Root Hairs
- What Works Best for Harvesting Microgreens
- Will Microgreens Regrow After Harvesting?
Updated: May 2026
All content is property of On The Grow®, LLC
Do you use any fertilizer?
1). In the first video with the green tray, you didn’t use weight. Is there a difference between putting weight and no weight in soil less pea shoots?
2). I have the green trays and followed your video with dwarf gray peas. Mine didn’t grow as well as yours. What are the must have conditions ? The house temp is 66F (day) and 62F (night).
Thank you