What Are Microgreens?
Microgreens are young, tender greens harvested just after the first true leaves appear. They are packed with nutrients, flavor, and color—grown sustainably in indoor vertical farms year-round.
Getting Started
A quick introduction to what microgreens are, their benefits, and how indoor farming makes them possible.
Microgreens are young vegetable and herb seedlings harvested between 7 and 21 days after germination, once the cotyledons (seed leaves) have fully developed and the first true leaves begin to emerge. At this stage, the plants are carefully harvested by cutting the stem just above the growing medium, leaving the roots behind.
Although they are often confused with sprouts or baby greens, microgreens are a completely different product.
- Sprouts are germinated seeds that are consumed whole, including the root, stem, and seed.
- Microgreens are harvested above the growing medium and only the stem and leaves are eaten.
- Baby greens are allowed to mature for several additional weeks before harvesting.
This distinction is important because each product differs in texture, flavor, cultivation methods, and food safety practices.
Microgreens are available in a wide variety of species, including broccoli, radish, sunflower, pea shoots, mustard, kale, beet, basil, cilantro, arugula, and amaranth. Each variety offers its own unique flavor profile—from mild and sweet to spicy and peppery—making them a favorite ingredient among chefs worldwide.
Market Growth and Industry Outlook
Microgreens are one of the fastest-growing segments in controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
The global microgreens market is experiencing strong and sustained growth driven by consumer demand for healthy, local, and sustainable foods, as well as the expansion of indoor vertical farming worldwide.
Estimated CAGR (2023–2032): 14.2%
Source: DataM Intelligence (2024). Microgreens Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report.
Note: Values from 2025 onward represent market projections.
As adoption increases in retail, foodservice, and home consumption, microgreens continue to represent a high-value, high-growth opportunity for farmers, businesses, and investors in the indoor agriculture sector.
Support and Resources
Reliable information and expert support to help you grow with confidence.
At Cosverti, we are committed to providing reliable information, high-quality microgreens, and support for chefs, retailers, and distributors who value freshness, nutrition, and sustainability.
- ✔ Nutritionally dense, flavorful, and visually appealing
- ✔ Sustainably grown with up to 90–95% less water than conventional agriculture
- ✔ Produced locally, reducing food miles and increasing freshness
- ✔ Grown year-round in controlled indoor environments
Whether you are new to microgreens or looking to source premium-quality greens, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
References
- Xiao, Z., Lester, G. E., Luo, Y., & Wang, Q. (2012). Assessment of Vitamin and Carotenoid Concentrations of Emerging Food Products: Edible Microgreens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(31), 7644–7651.
- Kyriacou, M. C., Rouphael, Y., Colla, G., & Giordano, M. (2016). Microgreens as a Component of Space Life Support Systems and Human Nutrition. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1491.
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DataM Intelligence. (2024). Microgreens Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report (2024–2032).
https://www.datamintelligence.com -
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Agricultural Research Service.
https://www.ars.usda.gov - Pinto, E., Almeida, A. A., Aguiar, A. M., & Ferreira, I. M. (2015). Comparison of the Nutritional Value and Contents of Bioactive Compounds Among Sprouts and Microgreens. LWT – Food Science and Technology, 63(1), 431–437.