Choosing the right sprouting seeds is one of the most important parts of successful home sprouting. Different seeds vary in flavour, size, soaking time, growing method and harvest time, so the best choice depends on the type of sprouts you want to grow.
For Australian customers, it is also important to choose seed that is suitable for the intended use rather than assuming any garden, culinary or bulk seed can automatically be used for edible sprouting.
OzSprout offers a broad Sprouting Seeds collection covering leafy sprouts, legumes, grains and other crops for home growers and larger-volume sprouting.
What Are Sprouting Seeds?
Sprouting seeds are seeds selected and sold for producing young edible sprouts.
Unlike garden growing, where the seed develops into a mature plant, sprouting involves germinating the seed and harvesting it after only a few days. Depending on the crop, the seed, root and young shoot may all be eaten.
Common sprouting crops include:
- Alfalfa
- Broccoli
- Radish
- Red clover
- Fenugreek
- Mung beans
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Field peas
- Sunflower
- Wheat and other grains
Each crop behaves differently, so seed quantity, soaking, rinsing and harvest timing should be matched to the variety rather than using one method for every seed.
What Should You Look for When Buying Sprouting Seeds?
1. Make Sure the Seed Is Suitable for Sprouting
The most important consideration is intended use.
Seed sold for edible sprouting should be suitable for producing sprouts. Do not assume ordinary garden seed is appropriate simply because it belongs to an edible plant.
Some garden seeds may be chemically treated or coated, while others may be packaged specifically for mature-plant production rather than eating at the germinated stage.
2. Check the Seed Treatment
Seed treatment is different from whether a seed is organic.
When buying seed for edible sprouting, check the product information for its treatment status and intended use. Avoid seed that has been treated with chemicals that make it unsuitable for producing edible sprouts.
Do not assume that every sprouting seed must be certified organic. Organic certification, seed treatment and suitability for sprouting are separate characteristics.
3. Look for Current Germination Information
Germination performance matters because a jar containing large numbers of ungerminated seeds can become difficult to rinse and manage.
Where a current germination figure is supplied, use it as one part of your purchasing decision. Germination can change with seed age and storage conditions, so current batch information is more useful than a generic claim that a product is simply “high germination”.
4. Choose the Seed for the Growing Method
Not every seed is grown in the same way.
Small leafy seeds such as alfalfa, broccoli and clover are well suited to jar sprouting. Larger legumes such as chickpeas, mung beans, lentils and peas require more jar space and generally longer soaking.
Some seeds are better suited to trays or other growing methods.
If you are unsure whether you want sprouts or tray-grown young greens, our Sprouts vs Microgreens guide explains the difference between the two methods.
Which Sprouting Seeds Should Beginners Choose?
For first-time growers, it is usually easiest to begin with seeds that germinate readily and are simple to rinse and drain.
Leafy Sprouts
Alfalfa, broccoli, red clover and radish are popular choices for small-seed jar sprouting.
They produce tender sprouts suitable for sandwiches, wraps and salads. Alfalfa and clover are generally mild, while broccoli has a gentle brassica flavour and radish adds more peppery heat.
Legume Sprouts
Mung beans, lentils, chickpeas and field peas produce larger, more substantial sprouts.
These crops need more room in the jar because the seeds absorb considerable water and expand during germination.
Different legumes can also have different ideal soaking and harvest times, so they are usually easier to manage in separate jars rather than being mixed before sprouting.
Grains & Larger Seeds
Wheat, barley and other suitable grains can also be germinated, while some are commonly grown further into cereal grasses.
Sunflower is another larger seed with growing requirements that differ from delicate leafy sprouts.
Always follow the instructions for the particular crop rather than assuming a standard jar method applies to every seed.
Should You Buy Individual Seeds or Sprouting Mixes?
Both options can work well.
Individual varieties are useful when you want to control flavour, learn the growing behaviour of a particular seed or follow product-specific soaking and harvest instructions.
Sprouting mixes can provide several flavours and textures in one crop, but the seeds included in a mix should have compatible growing requirements.
For example, small leafy seeds such as alfalfa, clover, broccoli and radish can work well together because their jar-sprouting methods are broadly similar.
Mixing large legumes with small leafy seeds is generally less practical because seed size, soaking time and harvest stage can differ significantly.
What Pack Size Should You Buy?
The best pack size depends on how often you sprout.
Occasional Home Growers
Smaller packs allow you to try different varieties without storing large amounts of seed.
Regular Sprouters
Larger packs can be more convenient when you grow the same crop repeatedly or maintain staggered jars for a more continuous supply.
Higher-Volume Growers
If you grow sprouts frequently, compare the available pack sizes for the individual crop. Pack options vary by product, so choose according to your actual usage rather than buying more seed than you can store well.
How Should Sprouting Seeds Be Stored?
Good storage helps maintain seed quality and germination performance.
Keep dry sprouting seed:
- Sealed when not in use
- Dry
- Away from direct sunlight
- Away from heaters, ovens and other sources of heat
- In a stable, cool environment
For longer-term storage, refrigeration can help provide a stable cool environment when seed is kept properly sealed and protected from condensation and moisture.
Always allow a refrigerated sealed container to come towards room temperature before opening it, helping reduce the chance of moisture condensing onto cold seed.
What Equipment Do You Need for Sprouting?
Many sprouts require very little equipment.
For basic jar sprouting you generally need:
- A suitable sprouting jar or sprouter
- A fine draining lid or screen
- Clean, drinking-quality water
- A position that allows thorough drainage and airflow
Larger seeds and more specialised crops may benefit from different equipment. OzSprout's Sprouting & Microgreen Kits and Equipment collection includes jar sprouters, multi-level sprouters and other growing supplies.
Can You Use Supermarket Seeds or Dried Legumes for Sprouting?
Some supermarket grains or legumes may germinate, but their age, storage history, seed treatment, germination performance and suitability for producing raw sprouts may be unknown.
For predictable home sprouting, it is preferable to choose seed sold for the intended sprouting use and follow the growing information supplied for that crop.
Are Sprouting Seeds the Same as Microgreen Seeds?
Sometimes the same plant species can be grown both as sprouts and microgreens, but the two products should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
Sprouts are generally harvested within days and eaten whole. Microgreens are grown for longer in a growing medium and cut above the roots after the cotyledons have developed.
The ideal seed quantity, growing method and harvest timing can therefore be different even when the botanical species is the same.
Do Sprouting Seeds Need to Be Organic?
No. Organic certification is not the same thing as suitability for sprouting.
When choosing seed, look at the actual product information, including intended use, seed treatment, variety, origin and current germination information where supplied.
If organic certification is important to you, choose a product that specifically states and supports that certification rather than assuming all sprouting seed is organic.
Buying Sprouting Seeds in Australia: The Bottom Line
The best sprouting seed is not simply the cheapest seed or the product with the strongest marketing claim. It is seed that is appropriate for the way you intend to grow it and supported by useful product-specific information.
When comparing sprouting seeds, consider:
- Whether the seed is suitable for edible sprouting
- Seed treatment
- Current germination information where available
- The correct growing method
- Soaking and harvest requirements
- Pack size
- Storage
Starting with the right seed makes the rest of the growing process considerably easier and helps you choose varieties that suit your flavour preferences, available space and sprouting routine.