How To Grow Mesclun Microgreens is one of the easiest ways to grow a mixed salad indoors. Instead of growing one crop at a time, mesclun gives you a blend of lettuces, mustards, arugula, and other greens all in one tray.
What makes mesclun different is flexibility. You can harvest it young as microgreens or let it grow a little longer into baby greens for bigger harvests and multiple cuttings.
In this guide, I’ll show you both options so you can decide which works best for your space and your kitchen.
🥗 What You’ll Learn
- How to grow mesclun as microgreens or baby greens
- Why mesclun mixes make great beginner trays
- The best soil and tray setup for mixed greens
- How to harvest for repeat cuttings
- How to avoid mold and overcrowding problems
🌱 Quick Answer
To grow mesclun microgreens, sow mesclun mix seeds thickly on moist coco coir or potting soil, keep them covered until germination, and give them bright light. Harvest at 2–3 inches for microgreens or let them grow longer for baby greens.
What Is Mesclun Mix?
Mesclun is a mix of young, tender salad greens. It typically includes a variety of lettuce varieties, as well as other greens such as arugula, endive, and radicchio.
The mix can vary depending on the season and the grower, but the idea is to provide a diverse blend of flavors and textures in a single salad.
A mesclun seed mix is a blend of seeds for different salad greens that can be grown together to create a mesclun salad.
By growing the seeds together, you can create a diverse mix of young, tender greens for your salads. This is one of the best ways to grow a salad with varied ingredients all at once.
Since the mix can vary depending on the season and the grower, so be sure to read the label to see what is included in the mix.
I found the mesclun mix pictured below on Amazon and it appears to be a good mix with a lot of different plants in it.
A lot of the mesclun mixes being sold seem to be mostly lettuce. This one seems to have the best combination for a tasty mesclun salad mix.
These mesclun mix microgreen seeds contain Kale: Red Russian, Arugula, Lettuce: Oakleaf, Mustard: Red Giant, Mustard: Green Wave, Mustard: Mizuna, Chinese Cabbage: Pak Choi, Lettuce: Bronze Mignonette, Lettuce: Winter Density, Lettuce: Super Red Romaine
How To Grow Mesclun Microgreens 7 Easy Steps
Most microgreens are harvested when they start to show their first true leaves. I think you really want to grow these young plants as baby greens.
You can grow your mesclun 2 different ways either as microgreens or baby greens which is what I recommend even though it takes a bit longer you will have a bigger harvest.
The mix I chose has kale microgreens and several other brassicas in it which add vitamin e. I like that because cruciferous vegetables have a lot of health benefits.
This mix also has several red lettuces including oak leaf and romaine lettuce and also spicy greens like mustard greens to tickle your taste buds.
This is truly square foot gardening at its best maybe even square inch gardening. So get your seed order in. This one is a good choice. Find or buy some trays and some growing medium and now it’s time to learn how to grow salad mix microgreens and how to grow mesclun in containers.
Step 1: Choose the right container or pot.
Mesclun microgreens can be grown either in a container or in soil. For beginners, we recommend using 1020 seed flats with drainage holes at the bottom.
Make sure to choose a tray that is large enough to hold your mesclun greens and has enough room for them to spread out.
Step 2: Add soil to your chosen container.
Mesclun grows best in a lightweight medium that drains well but holds enough moisture for quick germination.
- 70% coco coir
- 30% perlite
This mix gives good airflow, cleaner harvests, and reduces compaction compared to heavy potting soil.
Step 3: Plant your seeds
Get your seed packet ready. Sprinkle your mesclun seeds evenly over the soil surface. Try not to bunch seeds up but get them about 1/2 inch apart.
Don’t worry about it too much because you can thin extra plants out later.
If you are going to grow them as baby salad greens instead of microgreens your seeds can be further apart. Sow closer for microgreens.
I use an inverted tray to cover the seeds but I remove the tray once the seeds germinate.
Step 4: Water your mesclun seeds
Lightly water the soil with a spray bottle until it is damp but not saturated. Make sure not to over-water your mesclun greens.
Step 5: Give them light
Place the container in a sunny, warm spot in your home and keep them in direct sunlight.
They can handle full sun as long as the temperature doesn’t get too hot. Most greens are cool weather crops but they love light.
If necessary, you can also use grow lights for extra light and warmth. If you live in most parts of North America you will need a grow light during the winter months.
🏡 Best Indoor Locations for Mesclun Microgreens
Mesclun greens grow best in bright cool spots with steady airflow.
- Kitchen windowsills: Great for small salad trays.
- Grow light shelves: Best for year-round production.
- Plant racks near east-facing windows: Great for softer light.
- Cool utility rooms: Good if bright enough.
Step 6: Check on your mesclun microgreens daily
Make sure they’re getting enough moisture and light. Water lightly when needed and add more light if necessary. Microgreens will be ready in 2 weeks.
Baby mesclun greens will take another 2 weeks. It’s worth the wait because you can harvest individual leaves and extend your harvest.
Step 7: Harvest
Time to harvest the leaves when they are 2-3 inches tall with the first set of true leaves by cutting them off at the base of the stem.
You can use scissors or a sharp knife. I don’t think harvesting mesclun as microgreens is the best way to grow your mesclun mix.
Let them grow larger and harvest them as baby greens Don’t cut your mesclun at the soil line.
Instead harvest the green leaves as individual leaves instead. This way you can extend your harvest and have a continuous supply if you don’t cut the plant.
That’s it! You now know How To Grow Mesclun Microgreens. Growing mesclun microgreens is a great and easy way to add a healthy boost of nutrition to any meal.
What Is Mesclun?
Mesclun is a mix of young salad greens that originated in Provence, France. It typically includes a combination of lettuces, arugula, endive, and other leafy greens.
The name “mesclun” comes from the Provençal word “mesclumo,” which means “mixture.” It is often used in salads or as a garnish for other dishes.
Mesclun microgreens are grown from a mix of these baby greens and are harvested when the leaves are only 2-3 inches tall.
They are packed with flavor and nutrition and make a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and more. So why not try growing your own mesclun microgreens at home today?
How Do you Eat Mesclun Microgreens?
Mesclun microgreens can be eaten in a variety of ways. They can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, or as a garnish on top of soups, stews, and other dishes.
They can also be used as a topping for pizza or added to smoothies for an extra boost of nutrients.
Because they are so delicate, it is best to add them to dishes just before serving to preserve their flavor and texture.
How Do You Store Mesclun Microgreens?
Mesclun microgreens are best stored in the refrigerator, in a container with ventilation holes, and not in an airtight container, or plastic bag without holes.
This will help keep them fresh for up to a week. They should be kept dry and away from moisture, which can cause them to spoil.
To extend their shelf life, you can also store them in a paper towel or cloth, which will help to absorb any excess moisture.
It is important to use them as soon as possible, as they can lose their flavor and texture quickly.
Here is more on how to store microgreens.
🛠️ Common Problems / Troubleshooting
Uneven Growth
Different greens grow at different speeds. This is normal with mixed trays.
Mold on the Surface
Usually from too much moisture or weak airflow.
Crowded Trays
Thin baby greens if they start competing too heavily.
Bitter Leaves
Usually harvested too late or grown too warm.
Weak Thin Growth
Needs stronger light or lights closer to the tray.
🥗 Mesclun Microgreens FAQs
Can mesclun be grown as baby greens?
Yes. In fact, mesclun often performs better as baby greens than as true microgreens.
How long does mesclun take to grow?
Microgreens usually take 10–14 days. Baby greens often take 3–4 weeks.
Can mesclun regrow after cutting?
Yes, if you harvest outer leaves instead of cutting everything at the soil line.
Do mesclun greens need fertilizer?
Not for microgreens. Baby greens may benefit from light feeding if grown longer.
What makes mesclun different from lettuce microgreens?
Mesclun is a mixed blend of greens, while lettuce microgreens are usually a single variety.
🌿 Final Thoughts: One Tray, Many Flavors
Mesclun is one of the easiest ways to grow a mixed salad indoors. Instead of planting separate crops, you get multiple flavors and textures in one tray.
If you let it grow a little longer as baby greens, you can stretch your harvest even further and keep cutting fresh greens for weeks.
Not sure if growing microgreens is right for you? Here are 5 reasons why you should grow microgreens.