You've harvested a tray of microgreens and you're looking at all those healthy roots and short stems left behind.
Can you keep watering them and get another harvest?
Sometimes — but it depends heavily on the variety.
Pea shoots are one of the better candidates for regrowth when they're cut correctly. Wheatgrass can also produce additional growth. Most common microgreens such as broccoli, radish, mustard and sunflower, however, are generally better treated as single-harvest crops.
Even when a microgreen does regrow, the second crop is often slower, less uniform and smaller than the first.
This guide explains which microgreens can regrow, how to harvest them if you want to try for a second crop, and when it's better to compost the old root mat and start again.
Which Microgreens Can Regrow?
Here's a practical guide to some common microgreens.
| Microgreen | Can It Regrow? | Worth Trying? |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Shoots | Yes, if suitable nodes remain | Yes |
| Wheatgrass | Often produces additional growth | Yes, if desired |
| Basil | Possible if growing points remain | Sometimes |
| Coriander | Some regrowth may occur | Usually limited |
| Broccoli | Limited/poor | Usually no |
| Kale | Limited/poor | Usually no |
| Mustard | Limited/poor | Usually no |
| Radish | Limited/poor | Usually no |
| Sunflower | Generally poor | No |
| Beetroot | Possible but slow/uneven | Usually no |
The important distinction is between “can produce some additional growth” and “will produce another crop worth harvesting.”
Those aren't necessarily the same thing.
Why Don't Most Microgreens Regrow Well?
Microgreens are harvested very early in the plant's life.
Many common varieties are cut when they have developed their cotyledons — the first seed leaves — and sometimes the beginning of their first true leaves.
When you cut the stem low down, you may remove the growing point the plant needs to continue producing new leaves.
What's left in the tray may consist mainly of:
-
Roots
-
A short section of stem
-
Seed remains
-
Growing medium
The root system may still be alive, but without suitable growing points above the cut, there may be very little useful regrowth.
This is why simply continuing to water a harvested tray doesn't guarantee another crop.
Pea Shoots Are Different
Pea shoots are one of the best microgreens to try for a second harvest.
Pea plants can develop nodes along their stems. These are points from which additional shoots can grow.
If you cut the pea shoots too low and remove all suitable growing points, regrowth may be poor.
If you leave viable nodes behind, new side shoots may emerge after the first harvest.
For the complete growing method, see How to Grow Pea Shoot Microgreens.
How to Harvest Pea Shoots for Regrowth
If you want to attempt a second pea-shoot harvest, don't cut the crop as close to the growing medium as possible.
Instead:
-
Look at the lower portion of the pea stems.
-
Identify the nodes where leaves or shoots emerge.
-
Leave at least one healthy growing node below your cut where practical.
-
Harvest the upper portion of the shoot.
-
Continue caring for the remaining plants.
New growth may emerge from the nodes left behind.
The exact response varies between plants, seed varieties and growing conditions.
Will the Second Pea Shoot Crop Be as Good as the First?
Usually not.
Even when pea shoots regrow successfully, the second harvest may be:
-
Less dense
-
Less uniform
-
Slower
-
Smaller
-
More variable in stem length
That's normal.
The original tray was established from many seeds germinating at approximately the same time. After harvesting, individual plants don't necessarily regrow at the same rate.
A second harvest can still be worthwhile for home growers, particularly if you enjoy experimenting and don't need a perfectly uniform crop.
Does Wheatgrass Regrow After Cutting?
Wheatgrass can produce additional growth after the first harvest because the grass growing point can remain low enough to survive cutting.
If you want to attempt a second crop:
-
Don't cut unnecessarily close to the growing medium.
-
Continue watering appropriately.
-
Keep the tray under suitable light.
-
Maintain airflow.
-
Watch the condition of the root zone.
New blades may begin developing.
However, as with pea shoots, don't automatically expect the second harvest to match the first in density or quality.
For the complete first-crop method, see How to Grow Wheatgrass: Step-by-Step Instructions.
Do Sunflower Microgreens Regrow?
Sunflower microgreens are generally not a good candidate for regrowing.
When sunflower microgreens are harvested, the growing point is normally removed with the stem and cotyledons.
The remaining stems generally don't produce a useful second crop.
Once you've harvested your sunflower microgreens, it's usually better to remove the root mat, clean the tray and sow a fresh batch.
Do Broccoli Microgreens Regrow?
Broccoli microgreens generally shouldn't be relied upon for a second harvest.
They're normally harvested by cutting the stem above the growing medium, removing the main growing portion of the seedling.
Although occasional plants may produce some additional growth, the result is unlikely to resemble the dense, even first crop.
For another full harvest, sow a fresh tray.
See How to Grow Broccoli Microgreens for the complete growing method.
Do Radish Microgreens Regrow?
Radish is another crop that is generally best treated as a single-harvest microgreen.
Radish grows quickly, which also means starting another tray is usually more practical than trying to coax a patchy second harvest from an old root mat.
See How to Grow Radish Microgreens at Home for the full growing method.
What About Mustard and Kale?
Brassica microgreens such as mustard and kale behave similarly to broccoli and radish in this respect.
Some individual seedlings may survive harvesting depending on where they were cut, but you shouldn't expect a second crop comparable with the first.
For a reliable harvest, starting another tray is generally the better option.
Can Basil Microgreens Regrow?
Basil has more potential for regrowth than many fast-growing microgreens if enough stem and viable growing points remain after cutting.
However, basil is also relatively slow compared with crops such as radish and broccoli.
Whether a second harvest is worthwhile therefore depends on:
-
How the first crop was cut
-
The development stage at harvest
-
Remaining growing points
-
Plant health
-
Growing conditions
-
How long you're prepared to wait
For home growers who enjoy experimenting, basil is worth trying.
If your goal is a fast, uniform new crop, sowing another tray is more predictable.
Can Coriander Microgreens Regrow?
Some coriander plants may continue producing growth if enough of the plant remains after harvesting.
However, coriander microgreens don't generally produce the same rapid, uniform second crop that makes pea shoots attractive for regrowing.
If some plants continue growing, you can certainly use the new leaves.
For a dependable full tray, starting again is usually more practical.
How to Try for a Second Microgreen Harvest
If you're growing a variety capable of regrowth, the process is straightforward.
Step 1: Harvest Higher
Don't cut the stems right against the growing medium.
Leave enough healthy stem and, most importantly, viable growing points or nodes where the crop requires them.
Step 2: Remove Harvest Debris
Remove loose cut stems, damaged leaves and other plant material from the tray.
Leaving decaying plant material sitting on the growing surface isn't useful.
Step 3: Continue Providing Light
The remaining plants still need suitable light for new growth.
Keep the tray under the same appropriate natural or artificial lighting used before harvest.
See How Much Light Do Microgreens Need? for detailed lighting guidance.
Step 4: Continue Watering Carefully
The tray still needs moisture, but its water requirements may change after harvest.
There is now much less foliage using water.
Don't automatically apply exactly the same amount of water as before harvesting.
Check the growing medium and water according to what it actually needs.
Bottom watering can continue to work well.
See How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.
Step 5: Maintain Airflow
Good airflow becomes particularly important with an older tray containing cut stems, established roots and damp growing medium.
Avoid leaving the tray excessively wet.
Step 6: Watch for New Growth
If the crop is going to regrow, you should begin seeing new shoots or leaves developing from the remaining plants.
Growth may be uneven.
Judge whether the amount of healthy regrowth is worthwhile rather than waiting indefinitely for the tray to resemble the original crop.
How Long Does a Second Harvest Take?
There isn't one answer.
It depends on:
-
Microgreen variety
-
Where the crop was cut
-
Number of viable growing points remaining
-
Temperature
-
Light
-
Root health
-
Watering
-
Overall condition of the tray
A regrowing tray is inherently less predictable than a newly sown crop.
This is another reason we generally recommend viewing the second harvest as a bonus, rather than planning on two equivalent crops from every sowing.
Does a Second Crop Need More Fertiliser?
Don't automatically add fertiliser simply because the crop has been harvested once.
Whether additional nutrition is useful depends on the crop, growing medium and how long the plants are being maintained.
Adding unnecessary fertiliser won't restore growing points that were removed during harvest and can create other problems if overused.
For typical home microgreen production, a fresh tray is often simpler than trying to extend a crop indefinitely.
Is Regrowing Microgreens Worth It?
For some crops, yes.
For others, usually not.
Worth Trying
Pea shoots are the standout example.
If they're harvested correctly and healthy nodes remain, a second flush of shoots can be worthwhile.
Wheatgrass can also produce additional growth after cutting.
Interesting Experiment
Basil and some other crops may produce additional growth when harvested appropriately.
This can be worthwhile if you enjoy experimenting.
Usually Better to Resow
For fast-growing microgreens such as:
-
Broccoli
-
Radish
-
Mustard
-
Kale
-
Sunflower
starting another tray is generally more reliable.
These crops germinate and grow relatively quickly, so a fresh sowing usually produces a denser and more uniform harvest.
Is There a Food-Safety Issue With Regrowing Microgreens?
Keeping a tray for longer means maintaining an ageing root system and growing medium for additional time.
That makes good growing hygiene particularly important.
Watch for:
-
Mould
-
Decaying stems
-
Unpleasant smells
-
Excessively wet growing medium
-
Deteriorating roots
-
Other signs that the tray is no longer healthy
Don't continue watering an unhealthy tray simply because you're hoping for another harvest.
If the crop is deteriorating, discard or compost the plant material where appropriate and clean the equipment before starting again.
If you're unsure whether white growth is mould or normal root development, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.
When Should You Give Up on a Second Harvest?
It's time to clear the tray if:
-
Little useful regrowth is occurring
-
Remaining stems are deteriorating
-
The growing medium develops an unpleasant smell
-
Mould appears
-
Roots are deteriorating
-
The tray remains excessively wet
-
The second growth is too sparse to be worthwhile
There is no benefit in keeping an unhealthy tray going.
Remove the old crop, clean the equipment and start again.
Our How to Clean & Sanitise Sprouting Jars and Microgreen Trays guide explains how to prepare trays between crops.
What Should You Do With the Old Microgreen Root Mat?
Once you've finished harvesting, remove the root mat and growing medium from the tray.
Depending on the growing medium you've used, suitable plant material may be composted.
Avoid simply sowing a fresh crop directly on top of an old, decomposing root mat.
Starting with a clean tray and fresh suitable growing medium gives the next crop a cleaner, more predictable growing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do microgreens grow back after you cut them?
Some can.
Pea shoots and wheatgrass are among the better candidates. Most common microgreens such as broccoli, radish, mustard and sunflower are generally better treated as single-harvest crops.
Can pea shoots be harvested twice?
Often, yes.
For the best chance of regrowth, harvest above suitable lower nodes so the plant retains growing points capable of producing new shoots.
How many times can pea shoots regrow?
A second harvest is often the most realistic goal.
Further regrowth may occur, but crops generally become less uniform and productive with repeated harvesting.
Does wheatgrass grow back after cutting?
Wheatgrass can produce additional growth after harvesting because its growing point may remain intact below the cut.
The second crop may not be identical to the first.
Do sunflower microgreens grow back?
Generally not in a useful way.
Sunflower is best treated as a single-harvest microgreen and resown for another crop.
Do broccoli microgreens grow back?
Some individual plants may survive depending on where they're cut, but broccoli generally doesn't produce a worthwhile second microgreen crop.
Starting another tray is more reliable.
Do radish microgreens regrow?
Not usually well enough to make a second harvest worthwhile.
Radish grows quickly from seed, so sowing another tray is generally the better option.
Should I keep watering microgreens after harvesting?
Only if you're intentionally trying to regrow a suitable crop.
Reduce or adjust watering according to the remaining plants and growing-medium moisture. The harvested tray may use less water than it did before cutting.
Should I cut microgreens higher if I want them to regrow?
Yes, for varieties capable of regrowth.
The aim is to leave viable growing points behind. This is particularly important with pea shoots, where leaving suitable nodes can allow new side shoots to develop.
Should You Regrow or Resow?
For most microgreens, resowing is the more reliable option.
A freshly sown tray generally gives you:
-
More even germination
-
More uniform growth
-
A denser crop
-
A fresh root system
-
A predictable harvest
But there are exceptions.
If you're growing pea shoots, harvesting above viable nodes can give you a worthwhile second flush.
Wheatgrass can also produce additional growth after cutting.
For other varieties, consider regrowth a bonus rather than something the crop is expected to provide.
If the tray remains healthy and produces useful new growth, harvest it.
If it doesn't, clear the tray, clean it and start another crop.
For the complete growing process, see How to Grow Microgreens at Home in Australia.
For harvesting and storage, see How to Harvest & Store Microgreens.
Browse the OzSprout Microgreen Seeds range to choose your next crop.