How To Grow Sprouts At Home

By Harris Seeds Guest Growing Partner, Tom Stokes Harlow 
 

If you’re just dipping your toes into professional growing, first let me say: welcome. You’re entering a field that’s deeply rewarding, sometimes humbling, and always full of opportunities to learn. I’ve been at this for a while, and one thing I wish someone had told me early on is this: sometimes the best crops to add to your lineup aren’t the flashiest ones—they’re the reliable, versatile ones that practically sell themselves. And in that category, sprouts deserve a standing ovation. 

 
Sprouts are small, yes, but don’t underestimate them. They pack serious nutrition, have a loyal following of health-conscious customers, and are quick to grow. For a professional grower, adding sprouts to your offerings can be a smart, low-risk, and surprisingly profitable move. 

 
Let’s walk through the ins and outs of sprout production together. I’ll cover everything from growing in jars and trays to setting up a more professional system. Along the way, I’ll share tips, tricks, and pitfalls to avoid. 

What Are Sprouts, Really? 

Sprouts are simply seeds that have germinated and begun to grow. Unlike microgreens, sprouts don’t need soil or light to get started—they rely on water alone to break dormancy and start developing roots and shoots. You eat the whole thing: seed, root, stem, and the first tiny leaves. 

 
They’re not just tasty and crunchy; they’re living food loaded with nutrients. In fact, sprouts contain compounds that are often more bioavailable (easier for our bodies to absorb) than the nutrients in fully mature plants. 

And don’t fall into the trap of thinking sprouts are just for vegetarians or health nuts. They’re versatile: toss them into salads, layer them in sandwiches, stir them into stir-fries, or even top off soups for extra crunch. 

 
Some of the most popular sprouting seeds include alfalfa, mung beans, clover, broccoli, wheat, and sunflower. Each has its own unique flavor and texture. Mung beans, for instance, have a hearty crunch that holds up well in stir-fries, while alfalfa is light and nutty—perfect for sandwiches. 

So, why should you, as a professional grower, consider adding sprouts to your mix? Well, let’s get into the benefits. 

Why Sprouts Make Sense for Your Business 

Put simply, sprouts give you a quick, affordable, and reliable way to expand your offerings without the headache of managing a long production timeline. 

How to Grow Sprouts: Professional and At-Home Methods 

Now, let’s get practical. I’ll walk you through the main methods of growing sprouts—both at a professional scale and at home. Even if you’re primarily interested in scaling up for business, it’s worth experimenting at home first to get a feel for the process. 

 
Growing Sprouts at Home in Water (The Jar Method) 

If you’ve seen people with jars of sprouts on their kitchen counters, this is the method they’re using. It’s simple, cheap, and effective. You can check out our custom lids for sprouting in mason jars here. (Remember: one jar of mung bean sprouts is enough to jazz up a week’s worth of stir-fries.) 

Growing Sprouts Professionally 

When you’re ready to step up from a few jars on the counter to a more consistent production system, trays are the way to go. A professional tray setup allows you to grow in volume, maintain better airflow, and ensure consistent quality. 

 
Here are the basics: 

Professional growers often use automated watering systems to make rinsing easier and reduce labor costs. But even with manual rinsing, sprouts are a highly manageable crop. 

How to Grow Sprouts in a Tray (Step-by-Step) 

Think of tray sprouting as the middle ground: more scalable than jars, but not as big an investment as a full commercial system. Check out our 4-tray spouter system here. 

Growing Sprouts in Soil 

Most sprouts don’t need soil—but some growers prefer it for varieties like sunflower or pea shoots. The soil adds nutrients and can give sprouts a heartier flavor and texture. 

Growing Sprouts in Pots 

This method is less common but can be fun for home use. Think of it like a soil method but on a smaller scale. Fill a small pot with soil, scatter the soaked seeds onto the surface of the soil, mist daily, and harvest in a week. It’s not the most efficient method, but it works in a pinch. 

Using a Sprout Growing Kit 

As interest in sprouts has grown, so have the options for sprouting kits. These kits typically include stackable trays or specialized jars with ventilated lids. They streamline the process and are a great way to get started. 

 
For professional growers, a kit can be a low-risk trial run before investing in a larger system. For home gardeners, it’s a foolproof way to ensure success. 

Tips for Success (and a Few Warnings) 

Selling Sprouts Professionally 

Here’s where the business side comes in. 

Conclusion 

Sprouts are one of the simplest, most rewarding crops you can add to your professional offerings. They’re inexpensive to produce, quick to turn around, and beloved by customers who care about health, flavor, and sustainability. 
 

Whether you start with a jar on your kitchen counter or a full tray system in your greenhouse, sprouts offer a manageable entry point into professional growing. And who knows? They might just become one of your best sellers.