Wondering which microgreens actually sell week after week. This guide distills what growers report from farmers markets, restaurants, and small grocery shelves. You will see why broccoli microgreens, pea shoots, radish microgreens, and sunflower microgreens rise to the top for repeat demand, simple growth, and healthy margins.
We include real world numbers such as typical pack sizes, revenue per tray, and growth timelines, plus the mix that moves fastest at retail. You will also learn how seed choice, airflow, and coconut coir protect shelf life so your clamshells stay crisp and bright.
Use this as a practical playbook to plan your crop list, set prices with confidence, and build a microgreens business that keeps customers coming back. Simple clear proven.
The Core Four That Outsell Everything Else
Broccoli Microgreens
Broccoli shows up in more baskets than any other microgreen because it feels familiar and it carries a strong health story. Sellers report that customers come back for broccoli every week. That repeat pattern makes planning simple. You can plant on a dependable schedule and expect the trays to move.
Yield and pricing are steady. A typical tray produces about four to four and a half containers at two ounces each. At a common market price of six dollars per two ounce clamshell that comes to roughly twenty four to twenty seven dollars per tray. Seeds are affordable and easy to source which keeps input costs low. Most growers harvest between day seven and day ten. A short blackout with weight helps roots anchor and gives straight uniform growth that looks good in the package.
Nutrition drives a lot of the demand. Broccoli microgreens are widely noted for concentrated compounds such as sulforaphane. That talking point is simple to communicate on a sign card and it helps first time buyers choose with confidence. In the kitchen the flavor is mild and clean so it works in eggs soups burgers and as a salad base. The combination of repeat demand easy growth and a clear nutrition narrative is why broccoli sits at the top of many weekly lists.
Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are the volume hero. They look generous in a box and deliver a crunchy sweet bite that everyone understands. The most effective packaging is by weight. Sellers consistently move four ounce packs at ten dollars each. A well grown tray yields about four of those four ounce packs for around forty dollars per tray. That is strong revenue for a crop that is very forgiving.
Pea shoots like even moisture and simple airflow. Most growers reach harvest around day nine or day ten at five to six inches tall. The crop is flexible in mixes and also sells well on its own. Chefs use it to line plates and to add height to salads. Home cooks love it as a base because it feels substantial in a bowl. Seed cost is friendly and varieties such as speckled pea are widely available and strike a nice balance of tendrils and straight shoots. If you need one crop that always looks full and fresh in a refrigerated case this is it.
Radish Microgreens
Radish is the quickest way to turn trays into cash. The crop is ready in six to eight days which shortens your cycle and smooths cash flow. A common outcome is seven two ounce containers from a tray. At six dollars per container that is about forty two dollars per tray. Seeds are inexpensive so margins stay healthy.
Color is a major reason chefs reach for radish. Pink and purple stems with bright green tops give instant contrast on an omelet taco or bowl. The flavor is a pleasant heat rather than a burn so it works in wraps salads and grain bowls without taking over the dish. Keep trays evenly watered since radish is a thirsty grower. Avoid heavy seeding because thick canopies hold moisture and reduce shelf life. As an anchor for a spicy salad mix radish pulls its weight week after week.
Sunflower Microgreens
Sunflower often leads the field on pure revenue per tray. Sellers routinely report about ten two ounce containers from one tray. At six dollars per container that is roughly sixty dollars per tray. The flavor is nutty and the texture is hearty which makes the product easy to sample and easy to sell. Shoppers instantly understand how to use it in salads sandwiches and bowls.
This crop does ask for a bit more care. Good airflow and a consistent blackout weight help roots drive into the medium and give an even stand. Seed hulls need attention during growth and at harvest which adds labor time. Once you dial in a dependable seed source and a simple hull removal routine the orders follow. Many growers bring sunflower to farmers markets as a signature item because it tastes memorable and delivers a clear value story. When mastered it becomes a reliable top earner.
The Rising Stars That Keep Buyers Curious
Golden Acre cabbage has proved to be a sleeper hit. The canopy is dense and the leaves have a slight waxy sheen which means the product carries good weight in a clamshell. A straightforward tray can produce about five two ounce packs. At six dollars per pack that is around thirty dollars per tray. The texture stays crisp longer than many greens which makes it useful in warm soups where softer leaves wilt. The flavor is fresh and clean rather than strongly cabbagy which helps first time buyers say yes.
Mustard of the wasabi type is gaining ground with restaurants. It adds a tidy punch to steaks eggs and sandwiches. Sellers use it as a small premium item and as a chef blend component that raises the perceived value of a mix.
Red Acre cabbage brings deep purple stems and glossy tops. That color is marketing on its own. Mix makers lean on it when they want a photograph to pop. It also gives a simple antioxidant talking point at a market table.
Cress is quick and peppery. The seed forms a light gel when soaked which changes handling at sowing. Harvest around day six while the canopy is upright. If left much longer the delicate shoots can topple. Cress works best as a small format product and as a flavor accent in sandwich mixes rather than a bulk seller.
Why Mixes Outsell Singles
Shoppers want variety with no effort. A well built mix delivers texture color and nutrition in one pack and saves time at home and in a restaurant prep line. The combination that moves fastest across many sellers is peas with radish and broccoli. Peas contribute crunch and volume. Radish adds color and a gentle kick. Broccoli brings the nutrition story that many buyers look for on the label.
Pack sizes matter. For retail fridges two ounce clamshells are the norm for most greens while peas shine in four ounce packs because two ounces looks sparse due to large leaf volume. Restaurants often prefer larger formats but they still appreciate a ready mix that removes one step in service. A steady weekly mix also helps growers plan seeding calendars and reduces waste because components are useful on their own if extra packs remain.
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Smart Packaging and Pricing Strategies
Clear simple price points reduce friction at the table. Across many sellers the common pattern is six dollars for a two ounce pack and ten dollars for a four ounce pack of peas. Offering two ounce eight ounce and one pound options lets you serve home cooks chefs and small groceries without changing your harvest routine.
Labeling should state the variety the net weight and a short use tip. A clean window in the clamshell builds trust because buyers can see freshness and color. Keep harvests dry so condensation does not cloud the lid. Wholesale orders can still hold margin when you focus on crops with low seed cost such as broccoli radish and peas. Even small two ounce packs work at grocery if the product looks full and the color contrast is strong.
Behind the Scenes: What Makes Them Sell Consistently
Seed quality decides how clean and uniform your trays look on harvest day. Growers repeatedly point to reliable suppliers for steady germination and predictable stands. Consistent seed lots also reduce issues like stubborn hulls in sunflower and uneven growth in peas. When the seed is right you notice it in the cut weight and in how quickly packs move off the table.
Moisture control keeps quality high and shelf life long. Coconut coir comes up again and again for the way it holds water without staying soggy. Even spacing at sowing matters because heavy seeding traps humidity in the canopy and invites problems. A short blackout with weight helps roots anchor and gives straight stems in crops such as broccoli and sunflower. After harvest keep the product dry. Growers warn that wet greens lose days in the fridge and do not present well through clear lids.
Airflow is your quiet helper. A gentle draft from a vent or fan keeps surfaces dry and prevents the stale pockets that cause off smells. It also makes hull removal on sunflower easier because plants dry evenly. These small habits do not show up on a price tag but they show up in repeat orders and fewer credits to wholesale buyers.
Best Seller Combinations by Market Type
Farmers market
Set your table with broccoli pea shoots radish and sunflower. Add one color forward option such as red cabbage or mustard wasabi to spark curiosity. This mix of familiar flavors and one bold accent helps new shoppers decide quickly and gives regulars a reason to try something new alongside their weekly staples.
Restaurant and chef supply
Lead with pea shoots as the base. Add broccoli for nutrition focused diners and radish for color and a pleasant bite. Include mustard wasabi for a clean heat that finishes steaks and eggs. Red Acre cabbage rounds out the palette with purple stems that photograph well and hold their look on the pass.
Grocery and light wholesale
Keep the lineup simple and consistent. Broccoli pea shoots radish and sunflower cover nearly every home use case. Offer one ready mix built from pea radish and broccoli so a shopper gets crunch color and a nutrition story in a single pack. Use clear labels and stick to regular pack weights so category managers can plan shelf space.
Profit Snapshot That Guides Planting
Sunflower
A strong earner when the process is dialed in. One tray commonly yields about ten packs at two ounces. At six dollars per pack that is close to sixty dollars per tray. Expect extra labor for hull handling and make sure airflow is steady from day one.
Radish
Fast cycle and steady numbers. A typical tray yields about seven packs at two ounces. At six dollars each that is roughly forty two dollars per tray. Seeds are inexpensive and color sells itself to chefs and market shoppers.
Pea shoots
Package by weight rather than volume so the product feels generous. Sellers move four ounce packs at about ten dollars. With four packs per tray you reach about forty dollars per tray. Speckled pea gives a balanced look with both tendrils and straight shoots.
Golden Acre cabbage
A reliable sleeper that carries weight in the box. About five packs at two ounces is common. At six dollars each that is close to thirty dollars per tray. Texture stays crisp longer which makes it useful in warm bowls and soups.
Broccoli
The weekly staple that anchors repeat business. Expect about four to four and a half packs at two ounces from a tray. At six dollars per pack that comes to around twenty four to twenty seven dollars per tray. Short blackout with weight improves stand quality and shelf appeal.
Smart Packaging and Pricing in Practice
Consistent price points make buying easy. Across many sellers you see six dollars for a two ounce clamshell and ten dollars for a four ounce pea pack. Offer two ounce eight ounce and one pound options so home cooks chefs and small groceries all have a fit. For peas avoid two ounce packs since large leaves make the box look light. Clear lids help the greens sell themselves because customers can judge freshness and color at a glance.
Key Takeaway: The Proven Best Sellers
Across grow rooms market stalls and small wholesale orders the same pattern holds. Broccoli pea shoots radish and sunflower carry the sales week after week. Golden Acre cabbage red cabbage mustard wasabi and cress add color heat and texture that keep menus and home salads interesting. Pair the core four with one specialty accent and a simple pea radish broccoli mix and you have a lineup that pleases home cooks chefs and grocery buyers while protecting margins and shelf life.
Seed Choices and Supply Notes
Seed quality shows up in your tray from day one. Consistent lots give even germination and make your canopy look tidy at harvest. Growers repeatedly point to reliable sources for steady results. Broccoli varieties such as Waltham twenty nine are easy to find and grow in about ten days with a uniform green top. Triton purple radish brings strong color and a clean spicy note while staying affordable. Speckled pea seeds give a balanced look with both tendrils and straight shoots and they are widely available in larger bags for better unit cost. For sunflower many growers test a few suppliers to reduce stubborn hulls and debris before committing to bulk. The goal is not chasing rare strains but choosing seed that performs the same way every week so your packs look and taste identical from one market to the next.
Handling practices pair with seed choice. A short blackout with weight helps broccoli and sunflower anchor well. Moderate density reduces trapped humidity that can shorten shelf life. Coconut coir keeps moisture steady without staying wet and it supports clean harvests. Gentle airflow near trays helps with even drying and makes hull removal easier on sunflower. These small choices turn into repeat orders because your clamshells stay bright and crisp for longer in the fridge.
Starter Lineups You Can Launch This Week
Farmers market table
Broccoli for the nutrition story. Pea shoots in four ounce packs for a generous feel. Radish for color and a mild kick. Sunflower for crunch and a memorable sample. Add either red cabbage or mustard wasabi as the fifth slot to spark curiosity and photos.
Restaurant route
Pea shoots as the base green for plates. Broccoli for guests who ask for healthy choices. Radish for color on eggs tacos and bowls. Mustard wasabi for clean heat on steaks and sandwiches. Red Acre cabbage to finish plates with a purple stem and glossy top.
Grocery and small wholesale
Keep choices familiar and consistent. Broccoli pea shoots radish and sunflower cover most home uses. Add one ready mix of pea radish and broccoli so shoppers get crunch color and a nutrition hook in a single pack. Use clear lids and steady pack weights so category managers can plan space and reorder with confidence.