How Many Types of Microgreens Are There? What You Can Grow

8 juin 2026

If you are wondering how many types of microgreens there are, the short answer is a lot. Far more than the broccoli and pea shoots you usually see at the grocery store. Between our own seed compatibility testing over the past seven years and the major seed catalogs we shop from, the working list runs past 80 distinct crops and more than 250 named varieties. The even shorter answer: if a plant is safe to eat as a young, leafy seedling, there is a good chance it can be grown as a microgreen.

Red garnet amaranth, carrot, and purple kohlrabi microgreens growing side by side at On The Grow

In this guide we will walk through roughly how many types exist, what can and cannot be grown as a microgreen, the easiest crops for beginners, and how we decide what to put in a tray. If you are brand new and want to back up a step first, start with what microgreens are and how they differ from sprouts. For a breakdown grouped by flavor and category, our companion post on the types of microgreens pairs well with this one. Part of the appeal is variety, and part of it is nutrition. Research has linked microgreens to higher concentrations of certain nutrients than their fully grown counterparts, including findings from the University of Maryland.

So, How Many Types of Microgreens Are There?

There is no single official count, and any number you see should be treated as a moving target. Seed catalogs add new varieties every year, and different growers draw the line in different places. When we pulled together our own seed compatibility notes alongside catalogs from True Leaf Market and Johnny's Selected Seeds, the list landed at more than 80 distinct crops and over 250 named varieties, spanning more than a dozen plant families.

That gap between 80 crops and 250 varieties is worth understanding. Radish is one crop, but it has dozens of named varieties like Rambo, Hong Vit, China Rose, and Daikon, each with its own color and flavor. The same is true for mustard, kale, basil, and lettuce. So when someone asks how many types of microgreens there are, the honest answer depends on whether you are counting crops or individual varieties. Either way, you will never run out of new ones to try.

What Can Be Grown as a Microgreen?

A good rule of thumb: most vegetables, many herbs, several grains, and a handful of edible flowers can be grown as microgreens. Below is a representative sampling grouped by plant family, not the full list, but enough to show how wide the door is open. We have added a quick note on how each family behaves, since that tells you most of what you need to know before you seed a tray. For which of these will grow on a reusable silicone grow medium versus soil or coco coir, see our microgreen seed compatibility guide.

Brassicas (the mustard family)

The backbone of microgreen growing. Fast, forgiving, and ranging from mild (broccoli, kale) to peppery (radish, mustard). This is where almost every beginner should start.

Broccoli, broccoli raab, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collards
Radish, kohlrabi, turnip, rutabaga, mustard, arugula
Pak choi, mizuna, tatsoi, cress, watercress

Several varieties of microgreens ready to harvest on a grow rack at On The Grow

Large-seed shoots and grasses

The heavy hitters. Bigger seeds that produce the most weight per tray, with a satisfying crunch. Most do best with a pre-soak and a bit more weight during germination.

Peas, sunflower, buckwheat, fenugreek
Corn (popcorn shoots), wheatgrass, barley, sorghum

Leafy greens and lettuces

Tender, mild, and salad-friendly. These grow a little slower than brassicas and usually prefer soil or coco coir over a reusable silicone grow medium.

Lettuce (romaine, crisphead, loose-leaf and more), endive, radicchio
Spinach, corn salad (mache), magenta spreen, orach

Beets, chard, and the amaranth family

The color crew. Prized for deep red, pink, and magenta stems that dress up any plate. They take patience and grow best on soil or coco coir, not silicone.

Beets, Swiss chard, amaranth, quinoa, purslane, red veined sorrel

Alliums (the onion family)

Slow but striking. These carry a true onion or garlic note that chefs love as a finishing garnish. Worth the longer wait for the flavor.

Onion, leek, scallion, chives

Herbs

Concentrated flavor in tiny form. Herbs are slower to grow and a bit fussier, but they are a gift for anyone who likes fresh basil, cilantro, or dill on hand.

Basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, chervil, chia
Borage, shiso (perilla), anise hyssop, lemon balm, sage, oregano, chamomile

Edible flowers and specialty crops

The showpieces. Grown as much for looks and novelty as for flavor, these are fun once you have the basics down.

Nasturtium, marigold, celosia, dandelion, chrysanthemum greens (shungiku)

Legumes, grains, and seeds

A mixed bag of mild, nutrient-focused crops. Many of these show up in blends rather than as a solo tray.

Red clover, crimson clover, alfalfa, flax, sesame, lupine

Close-up of a colorful microgreens salad mix with pink, red, and green stems

Notice how much color and flavor range is packed into that list. From the mild crunch of broccoli to the peppery bite of mustard, the lemony tang of sorrel, and the deep reds of amaranth and beet, there is a microgreen for almost any plate. Once you have a few harvests under your belt, our guide on how to eat microgreens in everyday meals shows how to actually use them.

Don't Forget Microgreen Blends and Mixes

Beyond single crops, many growers plant blends, which are several compatible varieties seeded together in one tray. Blends are a type all their own and a great way to pull more flavor and color from a single grow. Common ones include a basic salad mix, a spicy salad mix, a mild micro mix, a spicy micro mix, a nutrient-focused superfood mix, and colorful blends like rainbow sprinkles. The trick is pairing crops with similar grow times so they finish together. Mild brassicas like broccoli and kale balance beautifully against spicier radish and mustard, which is exactly why we reach for blends so often.

The Easiest Microgreens to Start With

With more than 80 crops to choose from, beginners often freeze up trying to pick. The good news is that the easiest, most forgiving microgreens are also some of the most popular. These germinate fast, grow on any medium, and rarely give new growers trouble.

Radish is our fastest, most forgiving crop, ready in about 6 to 10 days. Spicy and best as an accent or in a blend.
Broccoli is mild, reliable, and one of the most beginner-friendly crops, usually ready in 8 to 11 days.
Peas give a sweet, crunchy shoot and a heavy harvest, though they do need an overnight soak first.
Sunflower is another big yielder with a nutty crunch, great for sandwiches and salads.
Kale and cabbage behave a lot like broccoli and make excellent everyday greens.

If you want a clean starting setup, our 7x14 OTG Microgreen Tray Kit is sized for a kitchen counter, and our Beginner's Guide to Growing Microgreens PDF walks through the whole process step by step. For the full method, see our complete guide to growing microgreens or our beginner's starting guide.

Two 10x20 trays of broccoli microgreens at different growth stages on a wire grow rack at On The Grow

Microgreens You Should NOT Grow

This is the part many "what can you grow" lists skip, and it matters. A few plants are genuinely toxic at the microgreen stage and should never be grown as food, no matter how easy the seed is to find.

The nightshade family. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes all belong to the Solanaceae family, and their greens produce toxic solanine at the seedling stage. Never grow these as microgreens.
Rhubarb. The leaves are high in oxalic acid and are toxic. Skip it entirely as a microgreen.
Ornamental sweet peas. Decorative sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) sold as flowers are toxic. This is critical to separate from edible garden peas (Pisum sativum), which are an excellent microgreen. Same common name, completely different plant.
Any chemically treated seed. Seeds coated with fungicide or insecticide are often dyed bright pink, blue, or purple as a warning. These are never safe to eat.

One more safety note that comes up a lot: do not use bird seed or animal feed to grow microgreens. We have contacted bird seed companies directly, and they confirmed their products are not intended for human consumption and are not handled to food safety standards. Always buy seed labeled for sprouting or microgreens. Our post on microgreen seed quality and food safety goes deeper on why this matters.

Mandi Vaughn tending microgreen trays on an indoor grow rack under pink grow lights

How to Pick Which Microgreens to Grow

Once you know how many options there are, the real question becomes which ones fit you. We weigh a few things every time we plan a tray:

Flavor. Mild crops like broccoli, kale, and pea shoots are crowd-pleasers. Spicy crops like radish and mustard are best as accents.
Speed. Brassicas finish in about a week to ten days. Herbs like basil and cilantro can take two to three weeks and ask for more patience.
Color. Amaranth, beet, red cabbage, and purple radish add stunning color to a blend or a plate.
Medium compatibility. Most brassicas grow on soil, coco coir, or a reusable silicone grow medium. Beets, chard, basil, and cilantro do best on soil or coco coir.
Space. Tight on room? Our roundup of the best microgreens for small spaces narrows it down.

If you want a structured path through every crop, method, and troubleshooting scenario, our Microgreen Masterclass covers it from seed to harvest.

Where to Get Microgreen Seeds

On The Grow does not sell seeds, but we buy ours from True Leaf Market, which carries the widest range of microgreen seed we have found, all labeled for sprouting and microgreen use. Buying seed that is sold specifically for microgreens is the single easiest way to stay on the safe side of that toxic-plants list above.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of microgreens are there?

There is no official count, but based on our own seed compatibility work and major seed catalogs, you can grow more than 80 distinct crops and over 250 named varieties as microgreens. The number keeps growing as new varieties are introduced each year.

Can you grow any vegetable as a microgreen?

Almost, but not quite. Most leafy vegetables, brassicas, herbs, grains, and many legumes grow well as microgreens. The big exception is the nightshade family (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes), which is toxic at the seedling stage and should never be grown as a microgreen.

What is the easiest microgreen to grow?

Radish is the fastest and most forgiving, ready in about 6 to 10 days. Broccoli and peas are also excellent beginner crops. All three germinate quickly, grow on any medium, and rarely cause problems for new growers.

Which microgreens should you not grow?

Never grow nightshades (tomato, pepper, eggplant, potato), rhubarb, or ornamental sweet peas, all of which are toxic. Also avoid any chemically treated or dyed seed, and never use bird seed or animal feed, which is not handled to food safety standards.

Can you grow herbs as microgreens?

Yes. Basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, chervil, and shiso all grow as microgreens. Herbs tend to grow slower than brassicas, often taking two to three weeks, and most prefer soil or coco coir over a reusable silicone grow medium.

Ready to Start Growing?

The best way to find your favorites is to grow a few and taste the difference for yourself. Pick two or three beginner-friendly crops, get them going, and expand from there. Our Beginner's Guide PDF and the Microgreen Masterclass will take you the rest of the way.

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Nutritional information shared throughout this blog is based on commonly available research, peer-reviewed studies, and public health sources. We are not nutritionists, dietitians, or medical professionals, and nothing in this post should be taken as medical or nutritional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal dietary guidance.

— On The Grow®, LLC

Happy growing!