5 Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens

Your chosen growing medium for microgreens can play a huge role in how well your greens thrive! Each one has its pros and cons, but some naturally stand out for supporting healthy root growth and preventing mold growth, leading to a lush harvest. Below are some of the most trusted types of grow media used by professional and home growers alike.

A person in an apron harvests microgreens from a tray lined with parchment paper, using it as a growing medium for microgreens, with potted plants visible in the background on a kitchen counter. — Photo credit: Yay Images

Recommended Growing Medium For Microgreens

1. Coconut Coir

Made from coconut husks, coconut coir (or coconut fiber) is a popular and sustainable option if you’re growing microgreens at home, like broccoli or radish.

It provides good aeration and retains moisture well without suffocating the roots, which is essential in preventing root rot. Additionally, it’s naturally rich in hormones that can encourage healthy plant growth.

Coconut coir can be used in most trays with drainage holes and is compatible with other growing systems such as hydroponics or mineral-based options.

2. Hemp Mats

Hemp grow mats are made from natural hemp fibers. Most come pre-cut to fit standard grow trays, but you can also trim them down to size if you need them to fit other pots and trays.

They’re beginner-friendly since you only need to sprinkle the seeds on top of the mats and keep them moist to start growing microgreens immediately.

Hemp mats are also 100% biodegradable, so you can compost them once you no longer need them for growing your greens.

3. Jute Mats

Natural fibers from the jute plant make up jute mats. They are firm and water-absorbent bases for growing microgreens.

The material is porous, allowing for good air circulation that the plants need to thrive. It’s also durable and versatile, as you can use the mat to support heavier microgreens like sunflower and pea shoots or smaller types like radish and arugula.

Using jute mats makes cleanup simple and eco-friendly, even after a harvest.

Trays of microgreens at different growth stages, with red, green, and black seeds sprouting on soil—the ideal growing medium for microgreens—in distinct sections. — Photo credit: Yay Images

4. Vermiculite And Perlite

Growers use these mineral-based options as a growing medium for microgreens. Vermiculite holds water well, while perlite improves circulation by trapping air pockets.

Together, they prevent the surface from becoming too wet or soggy, thereby reducing the risk of mold on microgreens. You can use them in hydroponic systems or mixed with organic grow media like compost, coco coir, or peat moss.

They’re lightweight and reusable, making them a practical choice for indoor or small-scale growers.

5. Hydroponic System

This system relies on water-based setups, along with other growing mediums such as mats, vermiculite, and perlite, to support the growth of the seeds.

Hydroponics offers excellent control over light exposure, air circulation, moisture levels, and nutrient availability. These are key elements for a successful harvest.

Advanced growers favor them because they offer a more efficient, soil-free method for producing food indoors or in smaller spaces.

With the proper setup, a hydroponic system might encourage faster growth cycles and produce larger yields than other traditional methods of growing microgreens at home.