Congratulations on your Wheatgrass Grow Kit purchase!
Ready to grow fresh wheatgrass at home? This step-by-step guide takes you from soaking and germinating the seed through to a dense green tray ready for harvesting and juicing.
You can follow the same method whether you are using a complete wheatgrass kit or putting together your own tray-growing setup.
How to Grow Wheatgrass at Home – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Soak the Wheatgrass Seeds
Measure approximately 150–200g of wheatgrass seeds for one standard wheatgrass growing tray.
Rinse the grain thoroughly with clean, cool water, then place it in a clean jar or bowl and cover generously with water.
Soak for approximately 6–12 hours. Around 6–8 hours is generally suitable in warmer conditions, while 8–12 hours may be appropriate when conditions are cooler.
The grain will absorb water and expand, so use a container with enough room for the seed to swell.
Step 2: Rinse and Pre-Germinate
After soaking, drain the water completely and rinse the wheat again.
Leave the drained grain in a clean colander, jar or other suitable sprouting container for approximately 12–24 hours. Rinse and drain as required to keep the seed hydrated without leaving it sitting in water.
The wheat is ready to sow when small white roots begin to emerge. Do not wait for long roots to develop, as shorter roots are easier to spread evenly across the tray.
Step 3: Prepare the Growing Tray
Place a paper tray liner across the base of a clean tray with drainage holes. The liner helps prevent loose growing medium from washing through the tray while still allowing excess water to drain.
A shallow tray such as OzSprout's Microgreen & Wheatgrass Grow Tray is well suited to producing a dense wheatgrass crop.
Step 4: Add the Growing Medium
Add approximately 1–2cm of moist growing medium over the paper liner and spread it evenly across the tray.
Coco Fibre Growing Medium works particularly well for wheatgrass because it is lightweight, retains moisture and still allows good drainage.
If using compressed coco fibre, hydrate it thoroughly before adding it to the tray. The finished medium should feel evenly moist rather than waterlogged.
Step 5: Check the Pre-Germinated Seed
By now, the soaked wheat should be swollen and beginning to produce small white roots.
You do not need to wait for the seed to reach a particular volume. The best indication that it is ready to sow is the appearance of short, fresh root tips across most of the grain.
Step 6: Spread the Seeds Evenly
Spread the pre-germinated wheat evenly across the moist growing medium.
The grains can sit close together to produce a dense crop, but avoid thick overlapping piles. Excessively dense seed can restrict airflow, hold too much moisture and encourage uneven growth or mould.
Water gently so the seed and growing medium are evenly moist, then allow excess water to drain through the tray.
Step 7: Cover During Early Germination
Cover the wheat with a second paper liner or suitable tray cover during the early root-development stage.
If using paper, mist it until evenly damp. Keep the seed and paper moist without saturating the crop during approximately the first 48 hours.
Good airflow is still important. Avoid placing the tray in a hot, sealed cupboard or other stuffy location.
Step 8: Uncover the Wheatgrass
As the shoots develop, they will begin pushing against the paper or cover.
Once the shoots are approximately 1–2cm tall and the roots have started establishing into the growing medium, remove the cover.
Move the tray into bright indirect light or beneath a suitable grow light and maintain good airflow.
Step 9: Water, Grow and Harvest
Keep the growing medium evenly moist as the wheatgrass develops, but avoid keeping it constantly saturated.
Once a strong root mat has formed, bottom watering can be useful because the roots can take up moisture while the foliage stays drier.
Continue providing bright indirect light and good airflow.
Wheatgrass is normally ready to harvest when the blades are approximately 10–15cm tall, generally around 7–10 days after sowing under suitable conditions.
Harvest with clean scissors or a sharp knife, cutting the grass just above the growing medium. Wash the harvested wheatgrass with clean drinking-quality water before use.
Tips for Growing Wheatgrass Successfully
1. Avoid Overwatering
Wheatgrass needs consistent moisture, but the roots should not remain waterlogged. Excess moisture, poor drainage and poor airflow are common causes of mould and crop deterioration.
Once the root mat has developed, bottom watering can make moisture management easier.
2. Fertiliser Is Optional
Wheatgrass can be grown successfully without supplementary fertiliser, particularly when it is being harvested as a short 7–10 day crop.
If you choose to use a suitable liquid fertiliser, follow the product's dilution and application directions rather than applying a stronger concentration in an attempt to speed growth.
3. Provide Bright Light Without Excessive Heat
After the early covered stage, place wheatgrass in bright indirect light or beneath a suitable grow light.
Avoid intense hot sunlight that causes the tray to dry rapidly or overheat. Good airflow becomes particularly important during warm and humid weather.
4. Do Not Sow Too Thickly
A dense wheatgrass crop is desirable, but thick piles of overlapping seed can restrict airflow and create areas that stay excessively wet.
A dense, even layer generally produces more consistent growth than heavily piled seed.
5. Know the Difference Between Root Hairs and Mould
Fine white root hairs around newly germinating wheat can sometimes look like mould. Root hairs are normally concentrated around individual roots and become much less visible when wet.
Mould is more likely to develop in irregular patches and may be accompanied by slime, deterioration or an unpleasant or musty smell.
If a crop develops genuine mould, slime or an unusual odour, discard it rather than trying to harvest around the affected area.
How Long Does Wheatgrass Take to Grow?
Allow roughly 7–10 days after sowing for most home-grown wheatgrass crops.
Temperature, light, seed quality, growing density and moisture can all influence the exact timing, so use the appearance of the crop as well as the calendar.
Wheatgrass is generally ready when it forms a dense green stand approximately 10–15cm tall.
Can Wheatgrass Regrow After Cutting?
Wheatgrass may produce some regrowth after the first harvest, but the second growth is usually less dense and vigorous.
For consistent quality, many home growers compost the used root mat after the first harvest, clean the tray and start a fresh crop from seed.
Can You Grow Wheatgrass Without Soil?
Yes. Wheatgrass can be grown using soil-free media such as coco fibre.
The important requirements are moisture retention, drainage, root support and adequate airflow. Coco fibre is particularly convenient for indoor tray growing because it is lightweight and easy to handle.
What Causes Mould on Wheatgrass?
Mould is more likely when a crop remains excessively wet or has poor airflow.
Common contributing factors include:
- Overwatering
- Seed being sown too densely
- Poor drainage
- Warm, humid conditions
- Insufficient airflow
- Contaminated equipment or growing medium
Start with clean equipment, avoid standing water and keep air moving around the crop. If genuine mould develops, discard the affected crop.
Prefer Fresh Wheatgrass Grown for You?
If you would rather skip the growing process, OzSprout also offers Fresh Wheatgrass – Grown to Order for customers who want live wheatgrass ready for harvesting and juicing.
Growing Wheatgrass at Home: The Bottom Line
Growing wheatgrass is straightforward once you understand the basic cycle: soak, pre-germinate, spread, cover, uncover, water and harvest.
The keys to a healthy crop are good seed, even sowing, consistent moisture, effective drainage, adequate airflow and bright light after the early germination stage.
With the right setup, fresh wheatgrass can go from dry seed to a dense green tray ready for harvest in around 7–10 days.