Why Are My Microgreen Seeds Not Germinating? — Complete Troubleshooting Guide

✍️ Sonia Pardasani, Co-founder BageechaBox | 🕐 5 min read | 🛡️ Troubleshooting Guide

Quick answer: Poor microgreen germination usually comes down to one of four causes — old seeds, wrong temperature (below 18°C or above 35°C), incorrect soaking, or cocopeat that's too wet or too dry. Expected germination rates run 80–95% depending on variety, with first shoots in 1–3 days.

Poor germination is one of the most demoralising problems a new grower faces. The good news: there are only a handful of real causes, every one is fixable, and most are preventable.

Normal Germination Rates

Variety	Expected Rate	Days to First Shoots
Radish, Mustard, Broccoli	85–95%	1–2 days
Fenugreek, Sunflower	80–90%	2–3 days
Pea Shoots, Wheatgrass	80–90%	2–3 days

Cause 1 — Old Seeds

Seeds lose viability over time. Test your seeds: place 10 between damp paper towels for 48 hours. 7+ sprouted = good; under 4 = replace the seeds. Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool dark place.

Cause 2 — Temperature Wrong

Below 18°C: Most seeds stall. Move trays indoors to a warmer spot in winter.
Above 35°C: Heat can damage seeds. Move to a cooler spot or grow early morning in summer.

Cause 3 — Wrong Soaking

Varieties that need soaking (fenugreek, pea, sunflower, wheatgrass) perform much worse without it. Varieties that should not be soaked (radish, mustard, basil) germinate worse if you do soak them.

Cause 4 — Cocopeat Too Wet or Too Dry

Seeds need moisture to germinate but will rot if sitting in waterlogged cocopeat. Do the squeeze test: a handful squeezed firmly should not release any drips.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I test if my microgreen seeds are still viable?

Place 10 seeds between damp paper towels for 48 hours. If 7 or more sprout, the batch is good. If fewer than 4 sprout, replace the seeds. Store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve viability.

What temperature is best for microgreen seed germination?

Keep it between roughly 18°C and 35°C. Below 18°C, most seeds stall — move trays indoors to a warmer spot in winter. Above 35°C, heat can damage seeds — move to a cooler spot or grow in the early morning during summer.

Can wrong soaking cause poor germination?

Yes. Varieties that need soaking (fenugreek, pea, sunflower, wheatgrass) germinate much worse if sown dry. Conversely, varieties that should never be soaked (radish, mustard, basil) germinate worse if you do soak them — getting this backwards is a common cause of poor results.

How do I know if my cocopeat is too wet?

Use the squeeze test: grab a handful of cocopeat and squeeze it firmly. It shouldn't release any drips. If water comes out, it's too wet and seeds risk rotting instead of germinating.

What is a normal germination rate for microgreens?

It varies by variety: Radish, Mustard, and Broccoli typically hit 85–95% with first shoots in 1–2 days. Fenugreek, Sunflower, Pea Shoots, and Wheatgrass typically run 80–90% with first shoots in 2–3 days.