Wheatgrass can be grown at home in a shallow tray with a little space, basic supplies, and regular care. Growing it yourself may cost less than buying prepared wheatgrass, but clean equipment and careful watering are important because warm, damp growing conditions can also encourage mold and microbial growth.
What you will need
- Wheatgrass seeds intended for sprouting or growing for food
- A clean bowl and colander
- A shallow growing tray with drainage holes
- A second tray or saucer to catch excess water
- Clean potting medium suitable for edible plants
- Clean water and a spray bottle or small watering can
- Clean scissors for harvesting
Step 1: Soak and rinse the seeds
Follow the seed supplier’s directions for soaking. As a general starting point, many wheatgrass growers soak seeds overnight, then drain and rinse them thoroughly. Use a clean bowl and colander, and do not leave seeds sitting in stagnant water. If the seeds develop a musty smell, visible mold, or unusual discoloration, discard them and clean the equipment before starting again.
Step 2: Prepare the tray
Wash the tray and let it dry before use. Add roughly an inch of clean potting medium, or follow the instructions supplied with your growing kit. Moisten it evenly so it feels damp but is not waterlogged. Set the tray with drainage holes over a second tray to catch runoff, and empty collected water rather than letting the roots sit in it.
Step 3: Spread the seeds
Spread the drained seeds in an even layer over the surface. They can be close together, but avoid thick piles that trap moisture. Lightly mist the seeds and follow your seed supplier’s instructions about whether to cover the tray during the first stage of growth. Check it daily and provide ventilation; prolonged darkness and excess moisture can encourage mold.
Step 4: Water and monitor growth
Keep the growing medium consistently moist, not soaked. Water gently as needed and allow excess water to drain away. Place the tray where it receives suitable indirect light once the grass has emerged, following the seed kit’s guidance. Growth time varies with seed quality, temperature, and growing conditions, so use the height and harvest guidance on the seed package rather than relying on a fixed schedule.
Step 5: Harvest carefully
When the grass is ready according to the seed supplier’s instructions, use clean scissors to cut it. Harvest only healthy-looking grass. Do not eat or juice wheatgrass that has visible mold, a musty or sour smell, slimy patches, or unexplained discoloration. Washing does not reliably make moldy or contaminated grass safe.
Important food-safety tips
- Use seeds sold for food growing and follow their handling instructions.
- Wash hands and clean trays, scissors, and other equipment before use.
- Avoid overwatering and improve airflow if the tray stays wet.
- Discard a contaminated crop rather than trying to salvage it.
- Raw, unpasteurized juices can carry harmful germs. People who are pregnant, older, very young, or have a weakened immune system should be especially cautious and ask a healthcare professional about raw juice risks.
Home-grown wheatgrass is an optional food, not a treatment for disease. If you choose to juice it, use clean equipment and consume it promptly. Enjoy the growing process, and put hygiene first.