# Grow Basil Microgreens: Effortless Must-Have Guide - Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/ - Published: 2026-10-24T02:31:44-05:00 - Author: Bert Swope If you are a gardener, you will be pleased to know that growing basil microgreens is easy. Here are a few simple steps to get you started: Materials needed, Soaking Basil Microgreens, and Planting. After you’ve followed these steps, you will be able to grow basil in a matter of weeks. Regardless of what type of basil you grow, you are sure to enjoy the benefits. ## Materials To Grow Basil Microgreens There are several materials you’ll need to start growing basil microgreens. One of these is a growing tray. A top tray with drainage holes is necessary, but a bottom tray without drainage holes is also a good choice. The soil should be light and absorbent to avoid drowning the seeds or causing mold problems. Coconut coir can be used instead of potting soil, if that’s what you have on hand. The seeds for basil microgreens can be purchased from True Leaf Market. You’ll want to use soil that’s free from bacteria, as soil that’s reused too many times will breed bacteria. You’ll also want to use a grow light, as basil microgreens are best grown straight up under a grow light. This lowers the risk of etiolation. The soil tray should be cleaned with hot water between uses. Several home microgreen gardeners say that basil seeds don’t need darkness to germinate. However, research has shown that light is essential for basil microgreens to sprout. You can try experimenting with different light levels and see which works best. If you can’t get enough light, you can buy a seed starting mat. Seed starting mats help heat up the potting soil, which is crucial for basil microgreen germination. ## Soaking Basil Microgreens Growing basil microgreens is an easy, fun and healthy process. This super food contains far more nutrition than its fully grown counterpart. In addition to being low in calories and low in fat, microgreens are also free of chemical-filled pesticides. They are also safe to eat raw, which is preferred by many people. Below are some tips for growing basil microgreens. You should follow them exactly as written to ensure the healthiest results. Watering basil microgreens is simple. You should check the growing tray once a day or twice, and then remove it from the heat mat as soon as it begins sprouting. If you’ve kept it too long, the leaves might become leggy and not produce the desired amount of microgreens. When watering basil microgreens, make sure that you use water at least a quarter-inch deep. This will help keep the leaves from getting wet and prevent damping off diseases. Once the seedlings have formed true leaves, you can harvest them. They are roughly two to three inches tall and should be cut. Once harvested, you can store them for up to 40 days. When harvesting microgreens, make sure you don’t cut them before 8 hours. It’s important to harvest the microgreens as fresh as possible, as cooking destroys the nutritional value of the microgreens. ## Planting Basil Microgreens There are a few basic steps to planting basil microgreens. You can start by watering them a few times a week. If you don’t have a watering tray, you can place the tray directly on top of the seeds. This will press the seeds down and encourage germination. You can also place a stone or brick on top of the tray. Both methods will ensure even germination. After planting, store the tray in a dark place away from direct sunlight. After a week or so, your basil microgreens should sprout. You should achieve a germination rate of 85% to 95%. Then, water the soil thoroughly. Basil seeds release mucilage, which turns into goo. This substance allows them to hold water better than any other micro plant. After watering the soil thoroughly, plant the basil seeds in the tray. After planting, keep the tray moist for a couple of days. The soil should not be too dry, as dry soil will slow down the growth process. Ideally, you’ll want to plant about two tablespoons of basil seeds per tray. It’s crucial to avoid damaging basil microgreens by cutting them too close to the soil. This will lead to damping off, a fungal disease, so make sure to allow air circulation to prevent damping off. Basil microgreens are fragile, so it’s important to stop watering eight hours before harvesting. You can then wipe away any excess water with a paper towel. You can also use a moist sponge to absorb excess water. ## Growing Basil Microgreens If you want to grow basil at home, you can use a microgreens tray from True Leaf Market. Microgreens require a period of darkness before they can be exposed to light. This blackout period is important to help them grow stronger and achieve the right height. The blackout period for basil seeds can vary, ranging from two to three days. Monitor the growth of the basil seedlings and replace the soil when necessary. When harvesting basil microgreens, be sure not to cut them close to the soil as any particles will end up in the dish. Once they are fully grown, stop watering them at least eight hours before harvest. Then, dry them off with a paper towel. This helps retain the flavor and nutrients. Basil is an herb from the mint family, so it is good for the digestive system. It can also be consumed as a tea. To harvest basil microgreens, you need to place them under grow lights or sunlight. Once the seeds have rooted, you can harvest them with a sharp knife. Once they are two to three inches tall, you can use them for salads and pasta garnishes. Moreover, they make a lovely addition to tomato salads. If you want to add basil flavor to your dishes, try growing basil microgreens in your own kitchen. ## Harvesting Basil Microgreens One of the most common basil varieties is Genovese basil, or sweet basil. These microgreens are popular for their superior flavor and health benefits. Basil microgreens are tender and have a stronger flavor than mature basil. In addition to the flavor, basil microgreens contain up to three times the nutrients of mature plants. Harvesting basil microgreens will save you time and money! Here are a few tips for harvesting basil microgreens. First, start by soaking the seeds. If you’re growing basil microgreens indoors, you can use a fluorescent light or fancy plant light set-up. Some basil growers prefer inexpensive compact LED plant lights. In any case, you’ll need to place the basil plant underneath the light and turn it on for 12-16 hours per day. You will want to allow 8 hours of darkness each night. Another important tip for growing basil microgreens indoors is to consider the heat and humidity levels in your area. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. If your home has drafty windows or is too hot, you’ll likely end up with a basil that doesn’t taste as fresh as you’d like. If you’re a new gardener, one of the easiest ways to grow basil microgreens is in soil. Simply plant basil seeds at a depth of 5mm, preferably at the base of a plant. Water them regularly. Basil is best grown in warm and moist conditions. Within a few days, the basil microgreens should be ready to harvest. You can use the basil microgreens for cooking, salads, and more! ## Storing Basil Microgreens Before planting your basil microgreens, make sure they’re completely covered with a damp paper towel or a separate plastic bag. This helps maintain the moisture levels in the soil, which allows the plants to grow faster. You can also freeze the microgreens to extend their shelf life. Dry basil will keep for half a year in an airtight container. For best results, harvest your basil as early as possible, before they’ve gone to seed. After harvesting basil microgreens, store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Once harvested, the microgreens will last for a week in your fridge. Basil pairs well with marinara sauce and mozzarella. To enjoy your microgreens, simply place them in a dish and serve. The flavor will develop faster if you don’t cover them. You can also dry them in a warm oven for a few hours before serving them. To grow your basil microgreens, you’ll need to buy basil seeds and a grow tray. The best grow trays for basil are approximately 10×20 inches and 1 inch of growing media. Coconut coir and sterilized soil are ideal for microgreens, but be sure to allow excess water to drain out of the grow tray. Basil seeds are slow growing microgreens, so it’s important to follow the instructions on the package to prevent bending or squashing them. [#microgreens​](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/microgreens) [#howtogrowmicrogreens](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/howtogrowmicrogreens) [#basil​](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/basil) How to grow Basil Microgreens > [Free eBook – Microgreens Magic: A Homemaker’s Handbook for Indoor Gardening](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/free-ebook-microgreens-magic-a-homemakers-handbook-for-indoor-gardening/) [Microgreens Magic: A Homemaker’s Handbook for Indoor Gardening](https://lifeandwork.blog/my-published-works/gardening-books/free-ebook-microgreens-magic-a-homemakers-handbook-for-indoor-gardening/) ### Share this: * [ Print ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/#print?share=print) * [More](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/#) * [[ * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ Email ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Grow%20Basil%20Microgreens%3A%20Effortless%20Must-Have%20Guide&body=https%3A%2F%2Flifeandwork.blog%2Fgardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens%2F&share=email) * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Telegram ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=telegram) * [ WhatsApp ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Reddit ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=reddit) * [ Threads ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=nextdoor) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [ Bluesky ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-basil-microgreens/?share=bluesky) ### _Related_