microgreen
EdibleRed Cabbage Microgreens
Brassica oleracea
Considered non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA (Brassica, non-toxic)).
Some direct sun — an east or west window, or a few hours of direct light.
Keep evenly moist — water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Forgiving and beginner-friendly.
Red cabbage microgreens are one of the most striking trays you can grow — vivid purple stems, mild flavour, and the even, beginner-proof germination brassicas are known for. Ready in a week or two from a dense sowing.
About Red Cabbage Microgreens
Red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea) are among the most striking trays you can grow, with vivid purple stems under green leaves and a mild, fresh flavour. They share the even, beginner-proof germination that makes brassicas such a reliable microgreen. For a renter they ask only a shallow 2-litre tray and a little light, and they crop in a week or two.
Sow the seed thickly for a full tray of colour. Once the shoots are up, good light deepens the purple in the stems. Cut them just above the soil at the seedling stage, usually in 8 to 14 days, then resow to keep a steady supply. As with other microgreens, it is a single cut per sowing.
What it’s like to grow
Red cabbage microgreens are easy and dependable, a good tray for a first-timer who wants colour. Their main risks are damping-off in a stagnant, overly wet tray, and weaker colour when grown in very low light. Give them airflow and a bright-ish spot and they perform. They are non-toxic to cats and dogs, so the tray is safe around pets.
What to expect
First harvest in about 8–14 days. It’s forgiving, so it’s a good one to learn on. No sunny window? It also does fine under a clip-on grow light.
See what you’ll need to get started ↓Tips
- Sow thickly for a full tray of colour.
- Give good light once up to deepen the purple stems.
- Cut just above the soil and resow for a steady supply.
Common problems
- Damping-off in stagnant, overly wet trays.
- Weaker colour in very low light.
Common questions
Is Red Cabbage Microgreens toxic to cats and dogs?
Red Cabbage Microgreens is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a safe pick if you have pets. Source: ASPCA (Brassica, non-toxic).
How much light does Red Cabbage Microgreens need?
Red Cabbage Microgreens does best in medium, indirect light: near an east or west window, or a little back from a bright one. Direct midday sun can scorch it.
How often should I water Red Cabbage Microgreens?
Water Red Cabbage Microgreens when the top inch of soil feels dry, then let it drain. Aim for evenly moist, not soggy.
What temperature does Red Cabbage Microgreens need?
Red Cabbage Microgreens is happiest around 15–24 °C. It tolerates brief dips to about 5 °C, but cold drafts and sudden chills set it back.
How long does Red Cabbage Microgreens take to grow?
Expect a first harvest about 8–14 days from sowing under good conditions. A reliable, colourful tray crop with bright purple stems and a mild flavour; sow densely and cut once.
Can I grow Red Cabbage Microgreens without a sunny window?
Yes. Red Cabbage Microgreens does well under an affordable clip-on grow light, so a bright window isn't essential.
How big does Red Cabbage Microgreens get?
Purple-stemmed seedling shoots sown densely as a tray and cut young.
How do I propagate Red Cabbage Microgreens?
Sow seed densely across a shallow tray.
What pests affect Red Cabbage Microgreens?
Watch for fungus gnats. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves often, and treat early with a rinse or insecticidal soap before they spread.
Is Red Cabbage Microgreens easy to grow?
Yes. Red Cabbage Microgreens is forgiving and one of the better plants to learn on.
Gear for Red Cabbage Microgreens
Gear suggestions to get you started — general picks, not paid placements.
Pet-toxicity from the ASPCA. Care details are general guidance, not professional or veterinary advice; only eat plants you can positively identify as the edible plant and part described. Photo: Peggy Greb (USDA), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (PD). Care info last updated 2026-06-08.