Micro Farm LabMicrogreens
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Sunflower is one of the most popular microgreens: crunchy, mild-flavored, and very photogenic thanks to the white-and-green contrast. It provides plant protein, though with an incomplete amino acid profile (low in lysine).
- Harvest
- Harvest: 7–10 days
- Temperature
- Temperature: 68–79 °F (20–26 °C)
- Soak
- Soak: 8 h
- Blackout
- Blackout: 4–5 days
- Difficulty
- Difficulty: Medium
- Mold risk
- Mold risk
Quick step-by-step
Soak the seed for 8 hours
Hydrate the in-shell (unhulled) black oil seed for 8 hours before sowing. This step is mandatory for this crop.
Prepare the tray
Use a 20×40 cm (8×16 in) tray with 4–5 cm (1.6–2 in) of growing medium: it needs extra depth because the root grows longer.
Sow and start blackout
Spread the soaked seed evenly and cover the tray for 4 to 5 days.
Give it intense indirect light
After blackout, give it 12 to 14 hours of intense indirect light or a grow light, at 20–26 °C (68–79 °F).
Bottom-water
Water from the base or mist lightly, avoiding direct water on the seed.
Harvest as the first true leaves appear
Cut as soon as the first true leaf pair emerges. The hulls come off on their own or are removed before serving.
Common mistakes
Skipping the presoak
The 8-hour presoak is mandatory: without it, germination is uneven and much slower.
Overwatering
Seeds rot with too much water. Water from the base, never directly onto the seed.
Harvesting late
Wait too long and the hulls get hard to remove, and the flavor gets worse.
Videos
Guide in progress
We're working on the full guide for this crop. Leave your email and we'll let you know when it's ready.
