✍️ Sonia Pardasani, Founder BageechaBox | 🕐 5 min read | 💰 Cost Guide
Quick answer: Tiny seeds cost very little per tray — black mustard is about ₹6–9 of seed per 10x10 tray, and radish about ₹16–22. Methi, moong and broccoli fall around ₹30–60. Big seeds like peas and sunflower need 60–100g per tray, so they cost ₹65–115. Buying 300g packs saves about 15–20% on most varieties.
When people compare seed prices, they usually compare the price of a 100g pack. But 100g of mustard sows more than a dozen trays, while 100g of peas sows just one. The number that really matters is what one tray costs you. Here is that number for the varieties most Indian families grow.
Seed Cost Per 10x10 Tray
Seed quantities are for medium-density sowing, from our Seed Calculator. Costs use current BageechaBox pack prices (September 2026).
| Variety | Seed per tray | Cost (small pack) | Cost (large pack) |
| Mustard, black (Sarson) | 6–8g | ₹7–9 | ₹6–8 |
| Radish (Mooli) | 15–18g | ₹19–22 | ₹16–19 |
| Fenugreek (Methi) | 30–35g | ₹34–40 | ₹29–33 |
| Moong | 40–50g | ₹46–57 | ₹38–48 |
| Broccoli | 8–10g | ₹47–59 | ₹45–56 |
| Sunflower | 60–80g | ₹77–103 | ₹64–85 |
| Peas (Matar) | 70–100g | ₹80–114 | ₹67–95 |
Small pack = 100g (40g for broccoli). Large pack = 300g (80g for broccoli). For a 10x20 tray, double the seed. Prices change over time — check the seed collection for today's price, or let the Seed Calculator work it out for any tray size.
Don't Forget the Growing Medium
Each 10x10 tray uses 4 cocopeat discs, so one pack of 25 discs fills about 6 trays. Cocopeat can also be reused 3–4 times — as long as you sterilise it before every reuse (microwave or a sterilisation device) and mix in some fresh cocopeat each time — which brings the medium cost per grow down even further. Trays are a one-time cost and last for 50+ grows.
What the Numbers Tell You
1. Tiny seeds go a very long way
Mustard and radish give you a full tray for less than the price of a cup of chai. They are perfect for learning, and for your everyday supply.
2. Big seeds cost more but give more
Peas and sunflower need a lot of seed, but they grow thick, heavy shoots. They are the most filling microgreens and work as a proper salad base, not just a garnish.
3. Broccoli is worth its price
Broccoli seed is costly per gram, but you only need 8–10g per tray. As the most researched microgreen, it earns a place in most family rotations.
4. Buy larger packs for your favourites
Once you know which varieties your family eats every week, the 300g pack saves about 15–20% per tray on most varieties. Store extra seed airtight in a cool, dry place so it stays fresh.
The Hidden Cost: Poor Germination
Every seed that fails to sprout is money lost, and a gap in your tray where fungus can start. A cheap seed with patchy germination can cost more per harvest than a good seed at a higher price. Seed selected for microgreens, sown at the right density, is the cheapest seed in the end.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Compare cost per tray, not price per pack
- Mustard costs about ₹6–9 of seed per tray; radish about ₹16–22
- One pack of 25 cocopeat discs fills about 6 trays (4 discs per tray)
- 300g packs save about 15–20% on the varieties you grow every week
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the cheapest microgreen to grow in India?
Black mustard — about ₹6–9 of seed per 10x10 tray, because you only need 6–8g. Radish is next at roughly ₹16–22.
Q: How many trays does a 100g seed pack make?
It depends on seed size. 100g of mustard sows 12–16 trays, radish 5–6 trays, methi about 3 trays, moong about 2 trays, sunflower 1–2 trays, and peas about 1 tray.
Q: How many cocopeat discs do I need per tray?
4 discs per 10x10 inch tray, so a pack of 25 fills about 6 trays.
Q: How do I work out seed for a different tray size?
A 10x20 tray needs double the seed of a 10x10 tray. For any custom size, use the BageechaBox Seed Calculator.
📚 Further Reading
🌱 Work out your exact seed needs
Pick a variety, tray size and number of trays — the calculator tells you the grams to weigh and adds the packs to your cart.
Open Seed Calculator Shop All SeedsAbout the Author
Sonia Pardasani
The Microgreen Lady · Delhi/NCR
From the classroom to award-winning urban farmer — Sonia spent years teaching before dedicating herself to mastering the science of microgreens in Delhi’s extreme climate. What started as a personal health journey became a mission to train 2,000+ home growers and entrepreneurs across India. Honoured by the public as the "Microgreen Lady," Sonia now runs BageechaBox, guiding home growers and commercial farmers to grow consistently, profitably, and sustainably.