Learn how to grow wheatgrass at home with this easy step-by-step guide.
Wheatgrass earns its reputation as a superfood for good reason. Packed with essential nutrients, it provides vitamins A, C, and E, as well as nearly every B vitamin. It also boasts more potassium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium than any other grain. To top it off, wheatgrass contains amino acids, more pro-vitamin A than carrots, and more vitamin C than oranges.
Research shows that wheatgrass strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body, and helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. It’s also rich in chlorophyll, which is linked to digestive health, heart health, brain function, increased red blood cell production, and even longevity.
But in case you’re wondering . . .
What Exactly Is Wheatgrass?
For over a century, wheatgrass has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic benefits. In the early 20th century, it gained popularity in holistic health circles, with proponents touting its ability to heal and restore the body. Typically harvested when it’s about 7–10 days old, wheatgrass is the young, green grass of the wheat plant (Triticum aestivum). This vibrant green superfood is packed with an enormous array of nutrients, as noted above.
Its nutritional profile has earned it a reputation for promoting overall health, boosting the immune system, improving digestion, detoxifying the body, and supporting energy levels. It also has unique characteristics that align perfectly with human blood cells.
Best of all, you can easily grow it at home, regardless of your gardening experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to germinate it, grow it, and where to get supplies. 🌱💚
How to Grow Wheatgrass—A Step-By-Step Guide
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to growing wheatgrass at home:
1. Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need wheatgrass seeds, a shallow container or tray, organic potting soil, a spray bottle, and a sunny spot or grow system.
2. Sanitize and Soak the Seeds
After sanitizing the seeds in apple cider vinegar with a quick swish and drain, place about 1/4 cup of wheatgrass seeds in a sprouting jar and soak them in filtered water for 8–12 hours or overnight. This helps to kick-start the germination process.
3. Prepare the Tray
Fill your shallow container or tray with about 1–2 inches of organic potting soil, ensuring it’s evenly spread and lightly packed.
4. Plant the Seeds
After soaking, drain the seeds and scatter them evenly over the surface of the soil, pressing them gently into the top. Avoid covering them with soil.
5. Water and Cover
Lightly mist the seeds with water using a spray bottle to keep them moist. Cover the tray with a damp cloth or non-toxic wrap to retain moisture and encourage sprouting.
6. Keep in a Warm Spot
Place the tray in a warm area with indirect sunlight. If you don’t have natural light, a grow light kit can work as well. Maintain a temperature of around 65-75°F (18-24°C).
7. Water Regularly
Mist the seeds with water twice a day to keep them moist. Be sure not to overwater—keep the soil damp but not soggy.
8. Remove the Cover
Once the seeds begin to sprout (about 2-3 days), remove the cover to allow the grass to grow tall and healthy.
9. Give it Light
After the sprouts have emerged, move the tray to a sunny spot or keep it under a grow light for at least 4-6 hours a day.
10. Harvest the Wheatgrass
When the grass reaches about 8–10 inches tall (usually in 7–10 days), it’s ready to harvest! Simply cut the wheatgrass using scissors, leaving about an inch above the soil for future growth. Use your freshly harvested wheatgrass in smoothies, juices, or as a garnish. You can also freeze it for later use.
Closing Thoughts
Growing wheatgrass at home offers a simple, cost-effective way to enhance your diet with one of the most powerful plants on earth. By cultivating your own grass, you gain easy access to a fresh supply of this vibrant green superfood packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the world’s top enzymes.
Beyond its nutritional benefits, growing wheatgrass is a rewarding experience that allows you to take control of your wellness routine, reduce your environmental footprint, and enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing a plant from seed to harvest.
So whether you’re looking to tap more energy, detoxify your body, or simply add a fresh, green touch to your juicing routine, growing wheatgrass is a practical and sustainable choice for boosting your health.
To learn more about the health benefits of wheatgrass go here. Discover how to grow barley grass—also a powerhouse!—here.
The medical and health topics covered on the PlateofGrass website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent or cure any disease. This article and its content is presented ‘as is’ for informational purposes only.
