# How to Grow Microgreens on Paper Towels - Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/ - Published: 2026-10-24T02:32:05-05:00 - Author: Bert Swope If you want to grow microgreens, you must know that paper towels can be used as a growing medium. Microgreens are grown in containers that contain a medium, such as water, and are a great way to save space. However, a few precautions must be taken in order to prevent uneven growth. Here are some of the most important tips: ## Water quality affects growth of microgreens The growth of microgreens on paper towels differs from that of soil-grown ones. In both cases, the seeds are soaked in water before being placed on paper towels. After soaking the towel, seedlings should be sprinkled generously over the surface. Microgreens grow very slowly compared to soil-grown ones, which requires constant monitoring. Seedlings that grow on paper towels may not germinate well if they don’t make contact with the paper towel, so be sure to use a seed press to ensure proper contact. One of the key things that affects microgreens’ germination is their need for water. Because microgreen seeds are sensitive, they must be kept moist through all stages of their growth. During the early stages, the water level should be checked to see whether the seeds are dry or not. Depending on the variety, some seeds may take longer than others. For instance, broccoli takes three days to germinate. Occasionally, the seedlings may have white fuzz attached to them. Another important factor in microgreens’ growth is the quality of water. Fresh water is best, but tap water can work. If your water is hard or heavily chlorinated, you should use distilled or bottled water. Watering the microgreens from above may cause the growth to be stunted and their taste will be bland. Some growers prefer bottom watering. The bottom layer of a growing tray with drainage holes or a solid tray filled with water. Besides water quality, microgreens need moisture to thrive. To improve their growth rate, you can cover the paper towel or paper towels with newspaper or a clean cloth. The microgreens grow faster when they are in room temperature and do not germinate well if they are kept in cool rooms. It is advisable to check their growth every day and mist them if they are becoming too dry. Generally, the seeds germinate within three to four days. Soil that smells of sulfur is best avoided. The soil should smell clean and rich. If it has a foul odor, it is most likely due to bacteria. If it is contaminated, the microgreens may become bitter. They may even become bitter once they sprout their first true leaves. Moreover, it is important to check whether they have a pleasant smell – this should indicate that they are healthy. ## Rotating microgreens can cause uneven growth Microgreens need air circulation. The same applies to paper towels, as the roots need to breathe to grow healthy. If you’ve grown your microgreens in a dark cupboard, you may have noticed that they grow unevenly. When first growing, microgreens may have yellow leaves. That’s normal. They need light to photosynthesize. If you’ve tried rotating the tray or repositioning the growing light, the roots should receive even exposure to sunlight. Microgreens grow better on one side of a tray. The opposite happens when they are in direct sunlight. When they’re exposed to sunlight, they’ll grow toward the light. This is an effective way to promote even growth. However, microgreens that grow on one side of a tray may be too small for the area. Rotating them on paper towels can result in uneven growth. The timeframe for harvesting microgreens depends on their growing medium. They require four to eight hours of sunlight per day. They’re best harvested early in the morning or late at night. When harvesting microgreens, gently pull them away from the paper towel while leaving the roots and seed hulls intact. If you have an extra day to spare, you can leave them to grow a little longer. The extra days will yield larger microgreens, but they’ll die off and fall to the ground. After sprouting, the seeds, or microgreens, should be placed in a tall container or baking dish. Paper towels can’t hold as much moisture as soil does. If you don’t keep moisture level high, your microgreens will drown in the water and develop mold or other problems. Also, the water can damage the microgreens’ delicate roots. Despite this, you should try not to disturb the seedlings too much during their initial stages. As the roots get the right mix of oxygen and water, they will grow healthy. Over- watering will lead to root diseases, and can even lead to the loss of the tray. Check the soil color and feel to determine the right growing environment. If the plants are wilting, water them immediately. Unlike most other plants, microgreens don’t regenerate if you’ve cut them too early. Unless you’re growing sweet peas or pea shoots, re-cutting isn’t recommended. ## Harvesting microgreens according to taste Microgreens are small plants with varying levels of nutrient content and flavor. These plants are comparable to sprouts in their nutrient content, taste, and growing conditions. They are easily grown indoors and outdoors, and they are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Here are some tips to harvesting microgreens according to taste: Radish: The fastest growing microgreen is radish. It contains high amounts of minerals, vitamin A and C, and is a delicious addition to salads, stir-fries, and sandwiches. Growing radishes in a container will save you from having to dig through the dirt in your garden, and they grow well at room temperature. If you’re a novice, you can choose a variety of radishes. Radishes: If you’re a newbie to growing microgreens, it’s important to start harvesting your radishes when their first true leaves appear. They can get woody after several days, but they are still delicious in soups and stocks. They also add vibrant color to salads. White daikon radishes are another popular variety that grow well as microgreens. Broccoli: Microgreens of this vegetable have a slightly bitter taste, which may be due to the chlorophyll content. Kale, on the other hand, is increasingly bitter. But there are some varieties that claim to have a sweet taste. Peas are also excellent choices for microgreens. However, if you’re unsure of their taste, try them anyway. You’ll be glad you did! Broccoli: Another vegetable with a rich nutritional profile is broccoli microgreens. They are high in antioxidants and contain important vitamins and minerals. They’re inexpensive to grow and can be harvested at any time of the year. And you can grow them anywhere, so why not try something new? Then you’ll be able to reap the benefits of microgreens. The health benefits of these tiny plants are numerous. Microgreens also share a few characteristics with sprouts and leafy greens. Despite being much smaller than sprouts, they’re primarily eaten raw. This means they retain all their nutritional value and their crisp appeal. Furthermore, they’re grown in controlled environments, avoiding potential sources of contamination from the soil or other sources. The immature state of microgreens makes them more vulnerable to foodborne pathogens. ## Storing microgreens properly If you’ve been wanting to grow your own microgreens but don’t want to deal with soil, growing them on damp paper towels is a good solution. Microgreens can be stored on paper towels for a few reasons, but they are easy to maintain and can be easily monitored. These plants benefit from the controlled light and moisture that paper towels offer, and they also get the proper amount of sunlight. The only drawback to growing microgreens on paper towels is that they’re difficult to transfer to a soil-based growing medium. Regardless of whether you grow microgreens yourself, you’ll need a storage container to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out. It’s a good idea to cover microgreens with damp paper towels, but make sure that you’re leaving space for air circulation inside the storage container. This will prevent the microgreens from drying out too quickly, which can lead to mold and other microbial growth. Microgreens can be stored on paper towels, but they need to be kept moist as they are harvested before they reach seedling stage. Because microgreens are harvested early, they don’t require space for seedlings and don’t need nutrients or water to grow. To keep microgreens moist, keep them out of direct sunlight until they’re fully grown. You can use tweezers to gently transfer the microgreens to a larger container and store them in that. To ensure the freshness of microgreens, store them in a plastic container or ziploc. They’ll be better preserved if they’re placed in a glass bowl, but don’t forget to remove the paper towels before storing them. Plastic containers are not as airtight as paper towels, so you’ll need to keep them in a container that allows air circulation. You can also store them in plastic bags, but this is not recommended as it’s more finicky and unfriendly to the environment. After microgreens sprout on the fourth day, you can begin harvesting them. Make sure to check the seeds for moisture every day. If they’re too dry before sprouting, you should add water regularly. It’s not unusual for microgreens to grow taller when they’re placed in a container, but you’ll want to wait for the microgreens to reach this stage before harvesting them. Growing Microgreens on Paper Towels!? – Coco Coir vs Paper Towel > [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-microgreens-on-paper-towels/#print?share=print) * [More](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/#) * [[ * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ Email ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20How%20to%20Grow%20Microgreens%20on%20Paper%20Towels&body=https%3A%2F%2Flifeandwork.blog%2Fgardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels%2F&share=email) * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Telegram ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=telegram) * [ WhatsApp ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Reddit ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=reddit) * [ Threads ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=nextdoor) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [ Bluesky ](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-microgreens-on-paper-towels/?share=bluesky) ### _Related_