What You Need to Start a Microgreen Garden Kit at Home

Everything you need to know about choosing an herbal garden kit for microgreens, from seeds and trays to lighting and soil, tested by our team.

Updated 7 Sep 2026 4 min read 7 sections

ZestiGreens microgreen grow kit with tray and seeds for indoor gardening — Microgreen grow kits$29.95Image from the merchant

An herbal garden kit is the simplest way to start growing fresh microgreens at home, and ZestiGreens has every component you need (from seeds to trays) already tested and ready. Whether you want peppery organic broccoli seeds, tender alfalfa seeds, or a full microgreen grow kits setup, here is exactly what to look for and what we recommend.

What Is an Herbal Garden Kit for Microgreens?

A true herbal garden kit for microgreens is more than just seeds in a bag. It is a complete system: seeds, growing medium, trays, and often a guide to get you from soak to harvest in under two weeks. The best kits remove guesswork so you can focus on watching your sprouts grow.

ZestiGreens builds their kits around organic sprouting seeds and microgreen grow kits that include everything except water and sunlight.

The Best Seeds for Your Microgreen Garden

Seed choice is the most important decision you will make. Different varieties deliver different flavors, textures, and grow times.

Seed Type	Flavor Profile	Days to Harvest	Best Use
alfalfa seeds	Mild, nutty	5 to 7 days	Salads, sandwiches
organic broccoli seeds	Peppery, crisp	8 to 12 days	Bowls, stir-fries
sprouting seeds (mixed)	Varies	5 to 10 days	All-purpose
broccoli seeds organic	Bold, earthy	8 to 12 days	Juicing, garnishes

ZestiGreens sprout seeds packaged for easy sprouting — Sprout seeds$9.95Image from the merchant

Alfalfa seeds are the fastest and most forgiving for beginners. Organic broccoli seeds pack more flavor and nutrients, sulforaphane content peaks right at harvest. If you want variety, grab a bag of sprout seeds blend and experiment.

Essential Equipment You Need

Beyond seeds, your herbal garden kit needs four things to succeed consistently.

1. Growing trays. Shallow 10×20 trays with drainage holes work best. ZestiGreens includes food-grade trays in their microgreen grow kits that are reusable and dishwasher safe.

2. Growing medium. Soil, coconut coir, or hydroponic mats all work. Coir is our favorite because it holds moisture without getting soggy and is fully compostable.

3. Lighting. A simple LED grow light or a bright south-facing window. If you search for an indoor herb garden kit with grow light, you will find all-in-one units, but a separate clip-on light is cheaper and more flexible.

4. Spray bottle and cover. A misting bottle keeps delicate sprouts from being knocked over during watering. A clear dome or plastic wrap traps humidity during the first 3 to 4 days.

Organic Broccoli Seeds vs. Other Sprouting Seeds

We get asked this constantly. Here is the breakdown based on our side-by-side tests.

Organic broccoli seed (like ZestiGreens broccoli seeds organic) produces thick, crunchy stems with a sharp, almost spicy finish. They need 8 to 12 days and prefer slightly cooler temps (65 to 72°F). They are the best choice if you want a robust microgreen for cooking or juicing.

Organic sprouting seeds (mixes like organic sprout seeds or straight organic sprouting seeds) are usually blends of radish, clover, alfalfa, and broccoli. They grow faster, taste milder, and work better for continuous harvests. If you plan to add microgreens to every meal, a sprouting seed mix is more versatile.

Alfalfa seeds are the lightest and fastest. They are perfect for kids or anyone who wants to see results in under a week. The downside? They are delicate and wilt quickly once cut, so eat them the same day.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Herb Garden Kit Options

Most microgreen growers start indoors because it is consistent and pest-free. But an outdoor herb garden kit works well if you have a sheltered patio or balcony with partial sun.

ZestiGreens herbal garden kit with pots and soil for indoor herbs — Herbal garden kit$24.95Image from the merchant

Indoor setup: Use a shelf or countertop near an outlet for your grow light. The herbal garden kit from ZestiGreens is designed for indoor use, compact trays that fit on a standard kitchen counter and seeds pre-selected for low-light tolerance. We recommend pairing it with a 6500K LED strip on a 14-hour timer.

Outdoor setup: You need a spot that gets morning sun but afternoon shade. Microgreens can scorch fast in direct midday heat. Use a deeper tray (2 to 3 inches) so roots stay cool and moist. Bring trays inside if temps drop below 50°F at night.

For a deeper comparison of specific brand kits, The 7 Best Indoor Herb Gardens, Tested and Reviewed from The Spruce covers the major all-in-one units, though we find ZestiGreens offers better value for microgreen-specific growing.

How to Care for Your Microgreen Garden

Microgreens require minimal care if you follow a simple routine.

Days 1 to 3: Keep seeds covered and dark. Mist once or twice a day. Do not let the medium dry out.
Days 4 to 7: Uncover and introduce light. Water from the bottom by adding a quarter inch of water to the tray.
Days 8 to 12: Harvest with sharp scissors when the first true leaves appear. Rinse and dry in a salad spinner. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days.

One tip we swear by: soak larger seeds (broccoli, sunflower, pea) for 6 to 8 hours before planting. This cuts germination time by a full day and improves yield.

Where to Buy Your Herbal Garden Kit

ZestiGreens is our go-to source because they specialize in exactly what microgreen growers need. Everything is organic, non-GMO, and tested for germination rates before it ships.

ZestiGreens organic broccoli seed pack for home sprouting — Organic broccoli seed$8.99Image from the merchant

To save on your first order, grab the code on our coupon page for 10% off sitewide. That covers everything from individual organic broccoli seed packets to full microgreen grow kits. We recommend starting with their herbal garden kit if you want a true turnkey experience, it includes three seed varieties, two trays, growing medium, and a detailed guide.

If you already know what you want, the sprouting seeds and broccoli microgreen seeds are the fastest movers for a reason: they work every time. Check the latest pricing and code before you checkout to make sure you get the best deal.

Questions

What is the easiest seed to grow in an herbal garden kit?

Alfalfa seeds are the fastest and most forgiving. They germinate in 2 to 3 days and are ready to harvest in under a week, making them ideal for beginners.

Can I reuse the trays from my herbal garden kit?

Yes. ZestiGreens trays are food-grade and dishwasher safe. Wash them with hot water and mild soap between batches to prevent mold.

Do I need a grow light for an indoor microgreen kit?

A bright south-facing window works, but a simple 6500K LED grow light gives more consistent results, especially in winter. Many indoor herb garden kit with grow light options include one.

How long do organic broccoli seeds take to grow?

Organic broccoli seeds typically take 8 to 12 days from soak to harvest. They prefer cooler temps around 65 to 72°F.

Can I grow microgreens outdoors with an herbal garden kit?

Yes, but keep trays in partial shade. Direct afternoon sun can scorch tender microgreens. A sheltered patio with morning light is ideal.

What is the difference between sprouting seeds and microgreen seeds?

Sprouting seeds are grown in water and harvested in 2 to 7 days without soil. Microgreen seeds are grown in a medium (soil or coir) and harvested with stems in 7 to 14 days for a thicker, more flavorful crop.