Most Profitable Microgreens to Grow: Cost, Yield, and Pricing Guide
Which microgreens have the best flavor-per-effort ratio, the fastest grow cycle, and the highest margins at restaurants and farmers markets? I break down cost-per-tray for 10 varieties, restaurant and market pricing, and what it actually takes to scale from 10 trays to 50.
Most Profitable Microgreens to Grow: Cost, Yield, and Pricing Guide
Whether you are growing for personal savings or thinking about selling, the question of which microgreens give you the best return for your effort is worth answering with real numbers.
I have been growing microgreens for 18 months — primarily for home use, but I tested farmers market sales for three months last year and talked to a dozen small-scale commercial growers. The economics of microgreen growing are genuinely good at small scale if you choose the right varieties and avoid common mistakes.
This guide covers the varieties worth growing, the cost-per-tray breakdown for 10 varieties, what restaurants and farmers markets actually pay, and how to think about scaling from a hobby setup to 50 trays per week.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Three Metrics That Actually Matter
Before diving into specific varieties, the framework for thinking about profitability:
1. Speed (days to harvest). The faster a variety grows, the more trays per month per square foot of growing space you can produce. A 6-day radish tray is more valuable than a 14-day pea shoot tray if space is your constraint — even if the pea shoots sell for more per ounce.
2. Yield (oz per tray). Different varieties produce dramatically different harvests from the same tray size. Sunflower produces 4-6 oz per 1020 tray. Broccoli produces 2-3 oz. If you sell by weight, yield per tray determines how many trays you need to hit a revenue target.
3. Flavor per effort. For home growing, the varieties worth your time are the ones that actually taste better than grocery store alternatives. Radish, sunflower, and pea shoots are consistently the varieties people rave about — they taste noticeably more intense and fresh than anything in a plastic clamshell. Broccoli and kale are nutritionally valuable but mild — good additions but not the reason people get excited about microgreens.
Cost-Per-Tray Analysis: 10 Varieties
All calculations based on standard 1020 trays (10x20 inches), coco coir as growing medium ($0.75 per tray), and electricity costs for a T5 grow light running 16 hours per day ($0.05 per tray per grow cycle at average US electricity rates).
Seed prices sourced from True Leaf Market and Bootstrap Farmer bulk pricing as of early 2026.
| Variety | Seed/lb | oz/Tray | Trays/lb | Seed Cost/Tray | Media Cost | Other | Total/Tray | Yield (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radish (red arrow) | $10 | 1 oz | 16 | $0.63 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.43 | 2.5-4 |
| Broccoli | $18 | 0.5 oz | 32 | $0.56 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.36 | 2-3 |
| Kale | $16 | 0.5 oz | 32 | $0.50 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.30 | 2-3 |
| Mustard | $12 | 0.5 oz | 32 | $0.38 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.18 | 2-2.5 |
| Sunflower (hulled) | $8 | 2 oz | 8 | $1.00 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.80 | 4-6 |
| Pea shoots | $6 | 2 oz | 8 | $0.75 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.55 | 3-5 |
| Arugula | $22 | 0.5 oz | 32 | $0.69 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.49 | 2-2.5 |
| Wheatgrass | $7 | 1.5 oz | 11 | $0.95 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.75 | 3-4 |
| Amaranth | $20 | 0.5 oz | 32 | $0.63 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.43 | 1.5-2.5 |
| Cilantro | $14 | 1 oz | 16 | $0.88 | $0.75 | $0.05 | $1.68 | 2-3 |
Key observations:
- Kale and mustard have the lowest cost per tray (under $1.25)
- Sunflower has the highest yield per tray (4-6 oz) and relatively low seed cost
- Amaranth is expensive per pound but seeds so lightly that the per-tray cost is manageable
- Cilantro has a high per-tray cost and mediocre yield — the worst performer by most metrics
Best Flavor-Per-Effort Varieties
These are the varieties I would grow if I could only pick four, judged by how much better they taste fresh-grown than anything you can buy, divided by how much work they require.
1. Sunflower Microgreens
Flavor: Nutty, thick-stemmed, slightly sweet. Unlike any other microgreen. The kind of thing that makes people who “do not like vegetables” eat a whole handful.
Effort: Moderate. Sunflower needs pre-soaking (4-8 hours), a solid blackout period (4-5 days), and more care during harvest because the hulls often stick to the cotyledons and need to be removed. But the effort is front-loaded and the result is consistently one of the most impressive things you can grow.
Grow time: 9-12 days Yield per 1020 tray: 4-6 oz Cost per tray: $1.80 Verdict: The single best flavor-per-effort variety. The extra work during blackout and harvest is worth it every time.
Seeds: True Leaf Market hulled sunflower seeds — Check price on Amazon
2. Pea Shoots
Flavor: Sweet and tender, with a clean fresh-pea flavor that is surprisingly complex. Great eaten raw, tossed in stir-fry, or added to soup at the last minute.
Effort: Low after the initial soak. Pea shoots are forgiving — they tolerate slight overwatering better than most varieties, they are resistant to mold, and they regrow after cutting for a second flush (though the second flush is thinner).
Grow time: 12-16 days Yield per 1020 tray: 3-5 oz Cost per tray: $1.55 Verdict: The most forgiving high-flavor variety. Beginners succeed with peas even when they fail with radish.
Seeds: Check price on Amazon
3. Radish
Flavor: Sharp, peppery heat that fades pleasantly on the palate. The intensity varies by variety — red arrow is medium heat, daikon radish is more mild, purple daikon is sharp and visually striking.
Effort: Almost none. Radish is the easiest microgreen to grow. No soaking, 3-4 day blackout, ready in 6-8 days. If you mess up a radish tray, something went genuinely wrong.
Grow time: 6-8 days Yield per 1020 tray: 2.5-4 oz Cost per tray: $1.43 Verdict: The best starting variety and one of the best everyday varieties. Radish has earned its status as the microgreen gateway drug.
Seeds: True Leaf Market red arrow radish — Check price on Amazon
Fastest Growing Varieties
Speed matters for two reasons: more trays per month in the same space, and faster feedback on what is working.
| Variety | Days to Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Radish | 6-8 days | Fastest reliable variety |
| Mustard | 7-9 days | Fast but flavor is strong — not for everyone |
| Arugula | 8-10 days | Peppery, slightly bitter |
| Broccoli | 8-10 days | Mild flavor, reliable |
| Kale | 9-11 days | Slightly slower than broccoli |
| Sunflower | 9-12 days | Moderate speed, high yield |
| Beet | 10-14 days | Slow but beautiful color |
| Pea shoots | 12-16 days | Slow but forgiving |
| Wheatgrass | 10-14 days | Moderate — depends heavily on temperature |
| Cilantro | 14-21 days | The slowest and most frustrating to grow |
For maximum trays per month: Radish and mustard are your workhorses. At a 7-day average cycle, you can theoretically run 4+ batches per tray per month. In practice, with tray cleaning and setup time, 3 batches per tray per month is realistic.
For restaurant or market selling: A mix of fast and slow growers is valuable. Radish and mustard provide volume and reliable supply. Sunflower and pea shoots are premium items that command higher prices. Beet microgreens are a visual showpiece.
Highest Yield by Weight
If you are selling by weight or trying to maximize food production from limited space, here are the varieties that produce the most per tray:
| Variety | Average Yield per 1020 Tray | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower (hulled) | 4-6 oz | Highest yield by a margin |
| Pea shoots | 3-5 oz | High yield with good flavor |
| Wheatgrass | 3-4 oz | High yield but specialized use |
| Radish | 2.5-4 oz | Varies significantly with density |
| Kale | 2-3 oz | Consistent but not high volume |
| Broccoli | 2-3 oz | Similar to kale |
| Cilantro | 2-3 oz | Poor flavor-per-tray at this yield |
| Arugula | 2-2.5 oz | Low volume, high flavor |
| Mustard | 2-2.5 oz | Fast but low yield |
| Amaranth | 1.5-2.5 oz | Lowest yield, most fragile |
Sunflower wins the yield competition by a significant margin. If you are growing for smoothies, salads, or selling by weight, sunflower gives you the most output per tray. The higher per-tray seed cost ($1.80) is offset by the higher yield.
Restaurant and Farmers Market Pricing
This is where the economics get interesting.
Restaurant pricing (wholesale to chefs):
Restaurants that use microgreens are buying primarily for visual impact and flavor intensity on high-end plates. Chefs pay for quality and reliability of supply. As of 2026, typical restaurant wholesale prices for quality microgreens:
| Variety | Price per Pound (Wholesale) | Price per 2 oz Clamshell |
|---|---|---|
| Radish (red/purple) | $28-35/lb | $3.50-4.50 |
| Sunflower | $22-28/lb | $2.75-3.50 |
| Pea shoots | $20-25/lb | $2.50-3.25 |
| Broccoli | $30-40/lb | $3.75-5.00 |
| Arugula | $35-45/lb | $4.50-5.75 |
| Mixed microgreen blend | $25-35/lb | $3.00-4.50 |
| Amaranth (visual) | $40-55/lb | $5.00-7.00 |
The best-selling varieties to restaurants are not always the cheapest to grow. Arugula and broccoli command premium prices because they are nutritionally marketable and visually clean on a plate. Amaranth gets a premium for its striking magenta-pink color on high-end garnishes.
Farmers market pricing (direct to consumer):
At farmers markets, pricing shifts toward visual appeal and familiar flavors. Based on three months of selling at a weekend market in 2024:
| Format | Typical Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 oz clamshell | $4-6 | Most common retail unit |
| 4 oz bag | $7-10 | Better value, appeals to regulars |
| Mixed variety 4 oz | $9-12 | Premium pricing for variety |
| Specialty (beet, amaranth) | $5-7 per 2 oz | Color sells at farmers markets |
The varieties that moved fastest at my market stall:
- Sunflower — people knew and loved it
- Radish (purple daikon) — the color caught attention
- Mixed blend — good for people unfamiliar with individual varieties
- Pea shoots — strong seller in spring and summer
Broccoli was the slowest seller at retail despite commanding restaurant premiums — customers at farmers markets are buying with their eyes first, and broccoli microgreens look like every other green.
Margin Analysis: What You Actually Keep
Let us run the numbers for a realistic small-scale selling operation.
Scenario: 20 trays per week
Variety mix: 8 trays radish, 6 trays sunflower, 4 trays pea shoots, 2 trays specialty (beet/amaranth)
Input costs per week:
- Radish (8 trays at $1.43): $11.44
- Sunflower (6 trays at $1.80): $10.80
- Pea shoots (4 trays at $1.55): $6.20
- Specialty (2 trays at $1.60 avg): $3.20
- Total growing costs: $31.64
Water and electricity: Minimal — approximately $5-8 per week for 20 trays including lighting, water, and packaging supplies (clamshells and bags).
Total weekly input cost: ~$37-40
Revenue (farmers market, 2 oz clamshells at $5 average):
- Radish: 8 trays × 3 oz average yield × ($5/2oz) = $60
- Sunflower: 6 trays × 5 oz average × ($5/2oz) = $75
- Pea shoots: 4 trays × 4 oz average × ($5/2oz) = $40
- Specialty: 2 trays × 2 oz × ($6/2oz) = $24
- Total weekly revenue: $199
Gross margin: $199 - $40 = $159 per week, or about $635 per month, before accounting for farmers market booth fees ($30-60 per market, typically), packaging ($20-30/week), and your time.
These are optimistic numbers that assume full sell-through at market. In practice, expect 20-30% unsold inventory early on until you build a customer base. Revenue will likely be closer to $120-160 per week net in the first 1-3 months.
The restaurant channel changes the economics. Selling direct to 2-3 restaurants at wholesale prices reduces per-unit revenue but eliminates booth fees, packaging costs, and unsold inventory risk. A single restaurant taking 30 lbs per week at $28/lb wholesale generates $840/week in revenue — from the same 20-tray setup, roughly.
Scaling from 10 Trays to 50 Trays
The practical challenges of scaling are different from what most guides discuss.
At 10 trays: This fits on a standard wire shelving unit (5 trays per shelf, 2 shelves with lights). Daily maintenance is 15-20 minutes. No special equipment needed beyond the basics.
At 25 trays: You need a second shelving unit and a dedicated growing area — not a kitchen counter anymore. Daily maintenance climbs to 30-45 minutes. You need a sink or drain close to your growing area (carrying heavy wet trays is miserable). You will go through coco coir and seeds fast enough that buying in bulk matters — a 1 lb bag of radish seed becomes a 5 lb bag.
At 50 trays: This is a commercial micro-operation. Growing area needs to be separate from living space — a basement, garage, spare room, or purpose-built grow tent setup. Daily maintenance is 1-1.5 hours. You need:
- Tiered grow rack system (multiple shelves per rack, commercial wire shelving): $150-250 per rack — Check price on Amazon
- Multiple grow light strips per shelf (2-3 Barrina T5 strips per shelf, or a quantum board per shelf): $100-150 per rack in lighting
- Water source in or near the growing area — carrying water from a kitchen to a basement is not sustainable at 50 trays
- Small fan per rack for air circulation
- Commercial seed storage (sealed bins, cool dry space — seed quality drops in heat and humidity)
At 50 trays per week with the variety mix above, your weekly growing input cost runs approximately $90-100. Revenue potential (restaurant + farmers market combined) is $450-600 per week depending on sell-through and pricing. That is $1,800-2,400 per month in revenue from a well-run 50-tray operation.
The limiting factor is not growing — it is selling. Most small growers who scale to 50+ trays report that finding consistent buyers is harder than growing consistently. Locking in 1-2 restaurant accounts before scaling is the right order of operations.
Setting Up Your Growing Operation
Starter Shopping List (Home Grower, 5-10 Trays)
- Bootstrap Farmer 1020 trays (10-pack) — Check price on Amazon
- Coco coir bricks (2-pack) — Check price on Amazon
- Radish seeds, 1 lb — Check price on Amazon
- Sunflower seeds (hulled), 1 lb — Check price on Amazon
- Pea shoot seeds, 1 lb — Check price on Amazon
- Barrina T5 grow lights, 4-pack — Check price on Amazon
- Outlet timer — Check price on Amazon
- Kitchen scale — Check price on Amazon
- Small clip fan — Check price on Amazon
- Spray bottle — Check price on Amazon
Scaling Kit (25-50 Trays)
- Wire shelving unit, 5-tier (or NSF commercial shelving for durability) — Check price on Amazon
- Barrina T5 grow lights, 8-pack (2 per shelf, 4 shelves) — Check price on Amazon
- Coco coir, bulk (10-pack bricks) — Check price on Amazon
- Seeds in bulk (5 lb radish, 5 lb sunflower, 2 lb pea shoots) — Check price on Amazon
- Humidity/temperature monitor — Check price on Amazon
- pH meter and pH down solution (for water quality control) — Check price on Amazon
- Clamshell containers (4 oz, 100-pack for retail selling) — Check price on Amazon
The Honest Bottom Line
Best flavor-per-effort: Sunflower, pea shoots, radish. In that order. These are the varieties that are worth growing even if you only have 3 trays going at a time and will never sell a single ounce.
Best for selling: Radish (volume), sunflower (yield), arugula and broccoli (restaurant premium pricing).
Avoid for beginners: Cilantro (slow, mold-prone, low yield), basil (similar problems), amaranth (beautiful but delicate and low yield). Add these after you have the process dialed in on forgiving varieties.
The real numbers: At 20 trays per week with a good variety mix and a farmers market booth, you can net $400-500 per month after costs, working 2-3 hours per day. That pays for a serious hobby or a meaningful side income. At 50 trays with restaurant accounts, the math climbs to $1,500-2,000 per month net. Neither number is “quit your job” money, but both are real and achievable for someone running a clean, consistent operation.
Where to Learn More
- r/microgreens — Active growing and selling community. Posts from growers who document their economics are particularly valuable. Search “selling microgreens” for dozens of real-world profitability reports.
- Curtis Stone (YouTube) — Urban farming economics including microgreen pricing, restaurant sales, and farmers market logistics. His numbers are Canadian but the principles translate.
- Epic Gardening — Growing efficiency content including variety selection for different use cases.
- Bootstrap Farmer blog — Seed sourcing, bulk pricing, and commercial growing guides.
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com) — Seed variety data including yield charts and commercial growing specifications. The most reliable reference for variety-specific growing parameters.
Last updated March 2026.