Most microgreens do not regrow after cutting. When you cut a seedling just above the soil, you remove its growing point along with the leaves, and the short stump left behind has no way to make new shoots. A few crops — mainly pea shoots and wheatgrass — are exceptions and can give a second, smaller harvest.
This guide explains why, which crops can regrow, and how to get the most food out of every tray.
Why most microgreens can’t grow back
A microgreen seedling has a very simple structure: a root, a stem (the hypocotyl), a pair of seed leaves (cotyledons) and, between them, a tiny bud called the apical meristem. All new growth comes from that bud.
When you harvest, you cut through the stem below the cotyledons. The meristem goes into your salad bowl, and the stump has no buds left. It will stay green for a day or two and then wither.
Garden lettuce and baby greens regrow after a cut because they are older plants cut above their growing point, which sits low in the center of the plant. Microgreens are simply too young for that.
Which microgreens can regrow?
| Crop | Regrows? | Why | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pea shoots | Yes, once | Pea seedlings have buds at the nodes along the stem and at the base | A second cut 7–10 days later, roughly half the yield, slightly tougher |
| Wheatgrass | Yes, once | Grasses grow from a point near the base, below where you cut | A second cut 7–10 days later; thinner and less sweet |
| Fava (broad bean) shoots | Sometimes | Similar to peas | Smaller second cut |
| Sunflower | No | Growing point is cut away | — |
| Radish, broccoli, kale, mustard and other brassicas | No | Growing point is cut away | — |
| Basil, cilantro, amaranth, beet | No | Growing point is cut away | — |
How to get a second cut from pea shoots
- At the first harvest, cut above the lowest leaf node, leaving about 1–2 inches of stem with at least one small leaf or bud on it.
- Keep bottom watering the tray as before and keep it under light.
- New shoots grow from the remaining nodes. After 7–10 days, cut again.
- After the second cut, compost the tray. A third cut is rarely worth it.
The regrowth is usually thinner and a little more fibrous, so the second harvest is better for stir-fries and pesto than for raw salads. Full instructions for the first crop are in how to grow pea shoots indoors.
How to get a second cut from wheatgrass
Cut the blades about 1 inch above the soil. Keep watering and a new set of blades will emerge from the base. Most growers find the second cutting less sweet and less juicy, and the tray is more prone to mold by then, so check the roots carefully. See how to grow wheatgrass indoors.
Better ways to get a continuous supply
Because most trays give only one harvest, the trick to a steady supply is to sow little and often rather than to try to regrow.
- Stagger sowings. Start a small tray every 3–4 days instead of a big tray once a week.
- Harvest gradually. Cut only what you need each day and leave the rest growing for a few more days.
- Mix fast and slow crops. A tray of radish (about 8 days) and a tray of peas (about 12 days) sown on the same day give you two harvests spread over a week.
Our days-to-harvest chart includes a simple planting schedule for this.
Can you reuse the soil after harvesting?
Not straight away. The leftover root mat is dense and will rot, and it can harbor mold spores and fungus gnat larvae. Compost it with your kitchen scraps. Once fully broken down — usually after a few months — the compost can be mixed back into fresh potting mix for future trays.
Hemp and jute grow mats are generally single-use and can also go into a compost bin.
Should you leave microgreens to grow into full plants?
You can, but crowded microgreens are poor candidates: they are packed far too tightly to grow on. If you want to grow a plant to maturity, transplant a few strong seedlings into their own pots early, while they are still at the cotyledon stage. Peas, radish and basil transplant reasonably well.
Frequently asked questions
I cut my radish microgreens and they’re still green — will they grow back?
No. The stumps stay green for a day or two, but without the growing bud they cannot make new leaves.
Why does my pea tray regrow unevenly?
Only stems that still have a node or small leaf below the cut can regrow. Cutting very low removes those buds.
Is the second harvest of pea shoots as nutritious?
It is still a healthy green, though the shoots are thinner and slightly tougher. Most growers use it cooked.
