How to Grow Microgreens at Home in Malaysia
How to grow microgreens in Malaysia on a tray: best seeds (pea, sunflower, radish, mustard, kangkung), light, hygiene, mould and harvest in 7–14 days.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Days to harvest
- 7–14 days
- Updated
- 2026-11-04
Yes — microgreens are one of the easiest things to grow in a Malaysian condo, even without a garden. They are young seedlings, cut just above the growing medium when the first leaves open, usually 7–14 days after sowing. All you need is a shallow tray, a thin layer of mix, good seed and a bright window or balcony corner. The one key tip: keep everything clean and airy. In our heat and humidity, the most common failure is mould from overwatering, crowded trays and still air — not lack of skill.
Quick facts
| Item | Microgreens |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright light: a sunny window, a balcony with gentle morning sun, or an LED light |
| Sowing depth | On the surface, pressed in; large seeds lightly covered or not at all |
| Germination | 1–3 days for most seeds |
| Spacing | Sown densely, seeds almost touching but not piled up |
| Days to harvest | 7–14 days depending on seed |
| Container | Shallow tray 3–5 cm deep with drainage holes, plus a solid tray underneath |
| Support | None needed |
Which seeds to grow
These are reliable for beginners in Malaysia:
- Pea shoots — sweet and crunchy; soak 8–12 hours; harvest at 10–15 cm, around 10–14 days.
- Sunflower — nutty and juicy; use unhulled seed sold for sprouting or microgreens, soak 8–12 hours; harvest at 8–12 days, before true leaves form, as they get bitter after that.
- Radish — peppery, fast; no soaking needed; harvest at 6–10 days.
- Mustard — spicy, like a mild wasabi; harvest at 7–10 days.
- Kangkung — mild and crunchy; soak overnight; harvest at about 7–10 days.
Always use seed meant for eating, sprouting or microgreens. Never use seed treated with fungicide — it is often coloured pink, blue or green and the packet usually says so. A ready-made mix is an easy way to start.
Choosing a spot and tray
Indoors, place trays by the brightest window you have. On a balcony, choose a spot with morning sun but shelter from the harsh afternoon sun and rain, which can scorch or flatten tender shoots. Without enough light, microgreens grow tall, pale and floppy. A simple LED grow light or even a bright white LED tube hung 20–30 cm above the tray works well in dim condos.
Use a shallow tray with drainage holes set inside a solid tray without holes, so you can water from below. Seedling trays, takeaway containers with holes poked in the base, or mushroom boxes all work.
Growing medium
Use a fine, clean, fresh medium each time:
- Cocopeat on its own, or cocopeat mixed with a little fine potting mix
- About 2–3 cm deep is enough
Moisten it before sowing so it is damp like a wrung-out sponge, not dripping. Avoid garden soil, which can carry pests and disease. Used medium goes into the compost, not the next tray.
How to sow microgreens step by step
- Clean the tray. Wash with soap and water, rinse well and let it dry.
- Soak large seeds. Pea, sunflower and kangkung: soak 8–12 hours in clean water, then drain. Small seeds such as radish and mustard go in dry.
- Fill and level. Spread 2–3 cm of moist medium and press it flat with your palm.
- Sow densely. Scatter seeds evenly so they almost touch, without piling. Press them gently into the surface.
- Mist and cover. Mist with clean water. Cover with another tray or a lid to keep it dark and humid for 2–4 days (the "blackout" stage). Some growers place a light weight on top for pea and sunflower to help roots anchor.
- Uncover and give light. When seedlings are 2–4 cm tall and pushing up the cover, remove it and move the tray into bright light.
- Water from below. Pour water into the bottom tray, let the medium soak for 10–15 minutes, then pour away the excess.
To work out how much seed to use for your tray size:
Watering in hot and humid weather
- Bottom-water once a day, or twice in very hot, dry weather. The medium should stay damp, never soggy.
- Avoid pouring water over the leaves — wet leaves and stems invite mould.
- Keep air moving: an open window or a small fan nearby makes a big difference in humid weather.
- During long rainy spells, keep trays indoors or under shelter.
Feeding
No fertilizer is needed for most microgreens — the seed contains enough energy for the short growing period. If you let pea shoots grow longer, a very weak liquid feed can be used once, but it is not necessary.
Hygiene and common problems
- White fuzz at the base. On radish and mustard, fine white root hairs are normal and appear evenly on the roots. They disappear when you mist them. Mould looks like cobwebs spreading over seeds and stems, often greyish, and may smell musty. Throw out mouldy trays.
- Mould prevention. Sow less densely, water from below, use fresh medium, and give airflow. Do not keep the cover on longer than needed.
- Damping off. Seedlings collapse in patches. Usually too wet and too still. Start a new clean tray.
- Leggy, pale shoots. Not enough light. Move closer to a window or under a light.
- Fungus gnats and ants. Tiny flies around the tray, or ants carrying seeds away. Let the medium surface dry slightly between waterings and keep trays on a raised stand.
Rinse microgreens before eating and wash your hands and scissors before harvesting.
Harvesting
Harvest when the first leaves (cotyledons) are fully open, or when the first true leaves are just appearing — usually 7–14 days after sowing. Use clean, sharp scissors and cut just above the medium. Harvest just before you eat for the best crunch, or store in a lidded container lined with dry paper towel in the fridge for a few days.
Most microgreens do not regrow after cutting. Pea shoots sometimes give a second, smaller cut. Compost the used medium and roots, wash the tray, and sow again.
FAQ
Can I grow microgreens without sunlight? Yes, with a grow light or bright LED. Seeds do not need light to sprout, only after the blackout stage:
What is the difference between sprouts and microgreens? Sprouts are germinated seeds eaten whole, roots and all, usually grown in water. Microgreens grow in a medium with light and are cut above the roots.
How often can I harvest? Sow a new tray every 3–5 days for a steady supply.
Can I use radish thinnings from my garden? Yes — they are basically microgreens. See the radish guide: