Price typically $89–$129 · Free shipping with Prime
Microgreens — the seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested just 7–14 days after germination — pack an extraordinary nutritional punch. Studies have shown that microgreens contain 4–40 times more nutrients by weight than their mature counterparts, with especially high concentrations of vitamins C, E, and K. They've become a staple of health-conscious cooking: on eggs, in salads, on avocado toast, in smoothies.
Growing your own microgreens at home was historically a somewhat messy hobby involving trays of soil, spray bottles, and a south-facing window. Modern kits with integrated LED grow lights have eliminated every one of those friction points. You don't need soil, sunlight, or special skill. You need a kit, water, and a counter.
| Model | LED Included? | Grow Medium | Setup Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ingarden Starter Kit | Yes (4-stage auto) | Pre-seeded pads (hydroponic) | ~5 minutes | ~$109 |
| GARDYN Complete Kit | Yes (full-spectrum) | Pre-seeded pods | ~10 minutes | ~$129 |
| Microgreens Growing Kit (Large) | Optional add-on | Hydroponic trays + seeds | ~20 minutes | ~$65 |
| True Leaf Market Sectional Kit | No | Soil-based trays | ~30 minutes | ~$82 |
Traditional microgreens growing requires a bright, south-facing window — something many apartments simply don't have. Even ideal window light varies with seasons, clouds, and building shade. LED grow lights eliminate this dependency entirely, delivering full-spectrum light calibrated to exactly what seedlings need for optimal photosynthesis, regardless of time of year, weather, or apartment orientation.
Modern integrated LED grow lights in quality kits do something simpler kits don't: they run on automatic timers calibrated to plant growth stages. The ingarden's 4-stage light schedule, for example, mimics the natural light cycle changes that trigger germination, then leaf development, then the final growth push before harvest — all automatically, without you adjusting anything.
The ingarden's key innovation is its pre-seeded, organic superfood pads — each pad is a precisely engineered growing medium pre-loaded with seeds at optimal density. You place the pad, fill the ceramic bowl with water, and the hydroponic system does the rest. The LED arm adjusts automatically through four growth stages over the 7–10 day growing cycle. The result is a system with almost no failure mode: users who have never grown anything successfully report consistent, beautiful harvests.
The aesthetic design is genuine. Unlike plastic growing trays that feel utilitarian, the ingarden with its ceramic bowl and brushed steel frame looks like something you'd buy from a Scandinavian kitchen brand. It belongs on a counter, visible to guests, reinforcing daily use. That visibility is not incidental — products that are hidden in cupboards get used less.
Broccoli microgreens are the nutritional gold standard — extremely high in sulforaphane, a compound extensively researched for its potential health benefits. Mild taste, grows quickly, produces dense harvests.
Sunflower microgreens have a nutty, fresh flavor and a satisfying crunchy texture — excellent on salads and grain bowls. Larger seeds mean slightly longer germination.
Pea shoots are sweet, mild, and versatile — work in almost anything. One of the most prolific producers and fastest-growing varieties.
Radish microgreens are spicy and peppery — add punch to bland dishes. Quick-growing and visually striking with magenta stems.
Fresh, nutritious microgreens from your own kitchen counter — year-round, regardless of weather, window access, or growing experience. Check prices and availability below.
Shop Microgreens Kits on Amazon →Most microgreen varieties are ready to harvest in 7–14 days. Fast-growing varieties like radishes and sunflowers are ready in 7–8 days. Slightly slower varieties like broccoli and kale take 10–14 days. The ingarden's automatic light schedule is calibrated to this growth timeline.
Most varieties do not reliably regrow after harvesting — once you cut them, the tray is done. Some growers get a smaller second crop from certain varieties (sunflower and pea shoots are the most reliable for second harvests), but plan on replacing pads or soil and seeds for each new crop.
Research from the USDA and University of Maryland found that many microgreens contain significantly higher concentrations of vitamins and antioxidants than their mature counterparts — in some cases 4–40 times more by weight. They're a nutritionally dense way to add variety to a diet, particularly for households where vegetable intake is otherwise limited.
Microgreens are best eaten raw to preserve their nutritional content and delicate texture. Common uses: on eggs, avocado toast, sandwiches, and wraps; in salads mixed with other greens; on top of soups or grain bowls; blended into smoothies (they add nutrition without strong flavor when paired with fruit); as a garnish on virtually any plated dish.