Starting a microgreens business becomes much easier when you focus on the varieties that actually bring steady profit. Not every crop gives the same yield or demand, which is why growers consistently rely on a small group of high-earning microgreens.
These options produce strong harvests, sell quickly at markets and offer great flavour and nutrition that customers love. In this guide, you’ll learn the best microgreens to grow for profit, backed by real numbers, everyday experience and proven results from working microgreen farms.
1. Sunflower Microgreens Profit
Why Sunflower Brings the Highest Revenue
Sunflower microgreens often end up being a grower’s number one earner. The math is very simple and very appealing. Several growers report getting 9 to 10 small containers of sunflower from every tray. If those containers sell at $6, suddenly each tray is worth about $60.
Most indoor crops can’t touch that level of return in such a small space.
The other reason sunflower sells so well is taste and texture. These shoots are thick, crunchy and mild. They feel more substantial than delicate greens, so customers do not mind paying a fair price. They also fit into real meals: salads, bowls, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies and green juices.
What to Know When Growing Sunflower
The crop pays well, but it does ask for more attention. Many growers hit problems early on because sunflower seeds are not always consistent across sellers. One batch may look perfect, the next batch may hardly germinate. Once a good supplier is found, the problems usually disappear.
Sunflower also hangs onto its hulls. That means brushing them off during growth and sorting any remaining hulls out at harvest. It’s extra work, but when you’re bringing in roughly $60 per tray, the labour pays for itself.
Moderate seeding is important. Heavy seeding traps moisture inside the canopy and increases the chances of mold or rot. Proper spacing and airflow improve both yield and shelf life.
Why Customers Return for Sunflower
Because the flavour is mild and slightly nutty, sunflower is beginner-friendly. New customers feel confident buying it even if they’ve never tried microgreens before. That makes sunflower a gateway crop that brings people back to your stall or online shop again and again.
2. Pea Shoots Profit
High Yield Without High Stress
Pea microgreens are popular for an entirely different reason: they are extremely forgiving. Even when conditions aren’t perfect, peas keep growing. They tolerate different soils, watering habits and room temperatures.
A typical tray produces 4 containers of 4 ounces each. If you sell those containers at $10 like many growers do, a single tray brings in around $40. On very good weeks, growers sometimes pull 5 containers per tray, but 4 is the stable average.
Varieties That Sell Well
Two types show up often:
- Dun Pea for standard sales because it grows straight, tastes sweet and snaps when you bite into it.
- Tendril Pea for restaurant buyers because the curly tendrils look beautiful on plates.
Kids enjoy the familiar sweet-pea flavour. Chefs love the shape and texture. Juice bars buy peas for green blends. And home users appreciate that pea shoots can act as a full salad base, not only a garnish.
How Pea Shoots Help You Grow Your Business
Peas offer a rare combination: high yield, steady demand and almost no crop failure when grown properly. That makes them ideal for new growers who want stable income without complicated techniques.
When customers ask for a salad mix, peas often become the foundation. When they ask for something crunchy, peas fit the request. When they want something mild for smoothies, peas work again. This flexibility helps them sell consistently.
3. Radish Microgreens Profit
Fastest Growing and Most Visually Striking
Radish microgreens are loved by markets and restaurants for their bold colours. Varieties like Rambo Radish and China Rose have bright pink or purple stems that stand out immediately. This colour makes dishes look livelier, which is why chefs buy them even before tasting them.
They also grow very fast. A grower can harvest radish in approximately half the time it takes for slower crops. That speed means more growing cycles per month and quicker turnover — a direct boost to income.
The numbers add up well too. Growers report harvesting 7 small containers from a tray. At $6 each, that becomes about $42 for one tray of radish.
A Flavor That People Remember
Radish microgreens have a spicy profile. On their own they taste sharp, but once mixed into food the spice softens and adds character. Customers often use radish on
salads, soups, eggs, tacos, burgers and grain bowls.
Because radish tastes like a familiar vegetable, customers don’t hesitate. They immediately understand how to use it, which makes selling it much easier.
Why Radish Works Financially
Radish seeds are inexpensive, the crop grows fast and it tolerates occasional watering mistakes. Even beginners often succeed on their first tray. When you combine the low cost with the strong visual appeal and a solid $42 per tray earning potential, radish becomes one of the easiest profitable options for both new and experienced growers.
4. Broccoli Microgreens Profit
The Health Microgreen That Keeps Customers Returning
Broccoli microgreens stand apart because of their reputation for exceptional nutrition. Many growers mention that broccoli microgreens contain up to 40 times the nutrient density of the mature plant. They are also known for high levels of natural compounds like sulforaphane, which many customers actively search for.
This health-focused demand creates loyal buyers. Some sellers mention that nearly every customer who buys two or three containers includes broccoli in their order. One grower even shared that a long-time buyer believed broccoli microgreens contributed positively during her illness recovery period. Whether or not you make any claims, it shows how powerful customer trust can be.
Yield and Revenue
Broccoli does not give the highest yield, but it brings steady weekly sales. Average trays produce 4 to 4.5 containers, each commonly sold at $6. That equals around $20 to $27 per tray.
Even though the revenue is lower than sunflower or radish, broccoli outsells them in consistency. Customers know it. Customers trust it. Customers return for it.
How to Grow Broccoli for Best Results
Broccoli is simpler than sunflower but more sensitive than peas or radish. It cannot tolerate heavy watering. Too much moisture leads to mold or shortened shelf life. A moderate seeding rate, gentle watering and good airflow help ensure a healthy tray.
For business marketing, broccoli can be positioned as your “health star.” Peas provide crunch, radish gives colour and sunflower offers texture, but broccoli brings the nutritional story. That combination improves your brand’s appeal and helps customers see you as a reliable weekly supplier.
5. Golden Acre Cabbage Microgreens Profit
A Heavier Microgreen With Reliable Returns
Golden Acre Cabbage is not as widely known as sunflower or radish, but growers who use it discover a pleasant surprise: it delivers a heavier, sturdier product that often weighs more per container than many leafy greens.
One experienced grower notes consistently harvesting five small containers per tray. At $6 each, that equals about $30 per tray. The crop forms thick stems, a dense canopy and slightly waxy leaves that stay crisp longer than fragile greens.
Taste and Customer Experience
Golden Acre Cabbage does not have the strong flavour some expect from mature cabbage. Instead it tastes fresh and clean with a crunchy bite. Because it holds its structure well, it can be added to warm food such as soups or grain bowls without instantly wilting. Customers feel they get a more substantial microgreen, which improves satisfaction and repeat sales.
Why It Works for Profit-Focused Growers
This crop helps round out your offerings. It adds weight to salad mixes, gives a different texture and performs reliably in a wide range of indoor environments. If your goal is to move beyond the most common microgreens and offer something unique yet profitable, Golden Acre Cabbage is an excellent addition.
6. Red Acre Cabbage Microgreens Profit
A Colourful Microgreen With Strong Chef Appeal
Red Acre Cabbage stands out immediately because of its deep purple stems and glossy green leaves. Chefs love it for exactly that reason. When a garnish adds colour without overwhelming flavour, it becomes an easy sell in restaurant kitchens. This visual advantage alone gives Red Acre Cabbage a strong place in the profitable microgreens lineup.
On the nutrition side, cabbage microgreens have a reputation for being rich in antioxidants. This makes them appealing to health-focused customers as well. Even if they are not as well-known as broccoli, customers respond positively once they try them.
Yield and Sales Potential
While exact yield numbers were not given, the grower described Red Acre Cabbage as a reliable, dense crop with strong structure. It behaves similarly to Golden Acre Cabbage, which consistently produces about five containers per tray, translating to around thirty dollars per tray when sold at six dollars each. Since Red Acre has a comparable growth pattern but stronger colour, many growers find it slightly easier to sell, especially to chefs.
Why It Supports Profit Stability
Red Acre Cabbage brings in customers who want something visually interesting. It also adds a premium look to mixed microgreens, which can raise the perceived value of your salad blends. Even though it may not be the very top earner on its own, it increases overall sales by filling a niche that sunflower, peas or radish do not cover. This makes it a strategic crop for both markets and restaurants.
7. Mustard Wasabi Microgreens Profit
A Rising Favourite Among Chefs
Mustard Wasabi has been gaining momentum at farmers’ markets and restaurant accounts. Chefs enjoy its bold, spicy flavour that resembles real wasabi, which makes it perfect for steak dishes, eggs, sandwiches and noodle bowls. When a microgreen brings both flavour and identity to a plate, chefs tend to reorder it often.
This trend matters because chefs often buy in predictable weekly volumes. When a crop becomes part of their plating style, it becomes a dependable income stream for the grower.
Profit Pattern and Customer Appeal
Mustard Wasabi wasn’t given a specific dollar figure per tray in the transcripts, but growers described it as increasing in popularity, which is usually the first sign of rising profitability. It behaves similarly to radish in the way it grows quickly and brings a strong flavour profile. Because it fits into spicy blends and specialty mixes, it can be priced slightly higher than neutral-tasting microgreens.
For farmers’ markets, the biggest advantage is curiosity. Customers want to taste the spicy kick. That moment of surprise often leads to sales, especially when the grower offers simple usage ideas like adding it to scrambled eggs or using it as a finishing touch on grilled meat.
Why It Makes Sense as a Profitable Add-On
While mustard may not outperform sunflower or peas in pure yield, it adds depth to your menu. It expands your chef audience, strengthens your presence in specialty markets and gives customers a flavour experience that encourages them to buy again. In a microgreens business, diversity of flavours can be just as important as diversity of colours.
8. Specialty Brassica Mixes for Higher Sales
How Brassica Mixes Raise Your Average Order
Many growers discover that mixes actually sell better than single-variety containers. A good blend brings together colour, spice, crunch and nutritional value in one package, which makes customers feel like they are getting more variety for their money.
A common approach is combining
- radish for colour and spice
- cabbage for structure
- mustard for aromatic heat
These mixes become go-to items for chefs who want something balanced and easy to use. They also work well for markets where shoppers may hesitate to choose just one flavour.
Profitability of Microgreen Mixes
Mixes often help move crops that don’t sell as quickly on their own. They also allow you to use smaller quantities of specialty greens without dedicating full trays to them. For example, if you grow Wasabi Mustard but don’t have enough demand to sell it solo, you can incorporate it into a spicy blend. This spreads out the inventory and reduces waste.
Since mix containers often carry the same price as single-variety containers, your profit per tray increases whenever the mix uses crops that grow heavily, like cabbage, alongside crops that offer flavour intensity but lower volume.
Why Mixes Strengthen Your Business
Customers feel safer buying a mix because they get multiple flavours and textures in one box. Chefs appreciate the consistency. And for you, mixes help you balance your inventory across high-yield and low-yield crops. In other words, mixes turn your farm into a more flexible and stable business.
9. Pea, Radish and Broccoli Salad Mix – A Proven Best Seller
A Combination That Works Every Week
Several growers mention a specific mix that repeatedly sells out: a blend of pea shoots, radish and broccoli. This trio covers all the qualities customers look for:
Peas bring crunch.
Radish adds colour and gentle spice.
Broccoli provides the nutritional boost.
This mix becomes an easy choice for customers who don’t know which microgreen to buy. Many growers even report that when people are unsure, this is the mix they choose because it feels complete and well balanced.
The Numbers Behind the Mix
Let’s break down how profitable this mix can be.
- Peas bring around $40 per tray.
- Radish brings around $42 per tray.
- Broccoli typically earns $20 to $27 per tray, but sells very consistently.
When you combine the three crops into one product, you create a mix that is not only visually appealing but also financially stable. You can sell it at the same price per container as your other microgreens, even though it is made from a blend of high-yield and high-demand varieties.
Why This Mix Boosts Repeat Sales
The taste is familiar and easy to use, which encourages customers to finish the whole container quickly and return for more. At farmers’ markets, this mix can often account for a large percentage of weekly sales because it appeals to people who want something healthy but also enjoy flavour and texture.
10. Rotating Seasonal Microgreens for Customer Excitement
Why Rotation Matters
Even though the “core four” microgreens drive most of the profit, customers can get bored if they see the exact same menu every week. Some growers solve this by adding small batches of rotating microgreens such as rutabaga, turnip greens, cress, spicy salad mixes and specialty cabbage varieties.
These are not always the highest-earning trays, but they play a different role. They create curiosity, spark conversations and bring customers back to your stall or website because they want to try what’s new this week.
How Rotation Supports Profit
A rotating crop allows you to test new varieties without committing to full-scale production. If customers respond well, you can increase production. If not, you can move on without losing significant time or materials.
This approach also helps use up leftover seed, balance growing space and keep your stall visually interesting. A small touch of novelty can go a long way in building a loyal customer base.