table{width:100%;table-layout:fixed;border-collapse:collapse;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;font-size:14px;line-height:1.1;background-color:#ffffff}table td,table th{padding:5px 10px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top;word-break:break-word}table td:first-child,table th:first-child{width:18%;background-color:#f9fafb;font-weight:600;color:#111827}table td:nth-child(2),table th:nth-child(2){width:51%;white-space:normal}table tr:hover td:not(:first-child){background-color:#f5f9ff}@media(max-width:768px){table{display:block;width:100%;overflow-x:auto}table th,table td{min-width:120px}table td:first-child{min-width:100px}} @import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Lora:wght@400;600&family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500&display=swap');h4,h5{font-family:'Lora',Georgia,serif}p,td,li,div,span{font-family:'DM Sans',system-ui,sans-serif} Grow the ingredient that makes every dish come alive — no tears required. Intermediate difficulty; grows up to 2–3 harvests from one sowing — onions regrow from the base, unlike most microgreens Ready to harvest in 11–21 days; germination begins in just 3–4 days after sowing Rich in Vitamins A, B-complex, C and E plus calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and antioxidant quercetin — supports cardiovascular health and blood sugar management Bold, clean onion flavour without the tears — perfect on burgers, soups, eggs, pasta and as a fine-dining garnish FULL SPECIFICATION TABLE General Specification Common Name Onion microgreens Botanical Name Allium cepa Seed Type Small, angular, black-coated seed Stem/Leaf Color Bright green blade with white base; seed husks (black) often remain attached and are edible Flavor & Texture Bold, clean onion flavour with a subtle garlic aftertaste from seed husks; stems soft with a slight crunch Seed Count per 10g Approximately 275–300 seeds per 10 g Cultivation Data Difficulty Intermediate — slow germination and susceptibility to fungal issues require attention to bottom watering and airflow Preferred Medium Premium potting mix or coconut coir; soil preferred for best results Seeding Density (1020 tray) 40–50 g per 1020 tray (25×50 cm) Seeding Density (10x10 cm) 3–4 g per 10×10 cm Expected Yield Moderate; exact fresh weight varies by conditions; 2–3 cuts possible from one sowing Soaking Not required; seeds germinate without pre-soaking Blackout Days 3–5 days (onion is negative photoblastic — darkness actively supports germination) Watering, pH & Temp Bottom watering after germination; keep medium moist, never waterlogged; pH 5.5–6.5; temperature 18–24 °C (65–75 °F) Sprouting Time 3–4 days to visible germination Harvest Time 11–21 days after sowing (harvest when stems reach 6–10 cm and begin to lean at tray edges) Health & Nutrition Vitamins Vitamins A, B-complex (B1, B2, B6), C and E Minerals Calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium; trace elements and amino acids Notable Compounds Quercetin (antioxidant flavonoid); lacks syn-propanethial-S-oxide (the compound that causes eye irritation in mature onions) Health Benefits Supports cardiovascular health and healthy cholesterol levels; assists blood sugar regulation; provides antioxidant protection against oxidative stress; contributes to bone health and enzymatic activity; gastrointestinal health support ABOUT Onion microgreens (Allium cepa) are one of the most flavour-forward greens you can grow on a kitchen counter — long, needle-thin blades that look like miniature chives and deliver a bright, savoury onion punch in just a few stems. Chop them over a bowl of soup or a grilled steak and the room fills with a clean, aromatic onion scent, yet the chemical irritant that makes you cry at the chopping board is entirely absent. Unlike most microgreens, onions grow from the base of the stem rather than the tip, which means a carefully cut tray will push out a second and even third harvest — exceptional value from a single sowing. Summer or winter, indoors or in a greenhouse, now is exactly the right moment to get a tray on the go. GROWING INSTRUCTIONS 1 Fill your tray with 3–4 cm of pre-moistened potting mix or coconut coir and level it gently — a smooth, even surface gives every tiny seed the same chance to root. Coco coir retains moisture especially well, which suits onions' preference for consistent dampness. 2 No pre-soaking needed — simply scatter the seeds evenly across the surface at your target density and press them lightly into the medium with a flat board or spare tray. A gentle press ensures good seed-to-soil contact, which is the single biggest factor in even germination. 3 Mist the seeds lightly with a fine spray bottle, cover the tray with a second tray turned upside-down and place a weight of roughly 1–2 kg on top. This gentle pressure encourages the seedlings to push upward and develop stronger stems — you are literally building muscle into your greens from day one. Keep in total darkness for 3–5 days. 4 Check on day 4: you should see tiny pale shoots beginning to push up. Onions are negative photoblastic, meaning they actually prefer germinating in darkness, so don't rush them into light. If the shoots are still short, replace the cover for another day or two — patience here is rewarded with taller, straighter stems. 5 Once the shoots are 2–3 cm tall and visibly pushing against the cover, remove it and move the tray under a grow light or to a bright windowsill. Switch immediately to bottom watering — pour water into the tray below and let the medium draw it up. This is especially important for onions, which are prone to fungal issues if the stems get wet. 6 Water every other day or whenever the medium feels light when you lift the tray — the goal is consistently moist, never waterlogged. Around day 10, snip a few stems and taste them: if the onion flavour sings, you can harvest now; if you want more length, give it a few more days before they start to lean and tip. 7 Harvest with sharp scissors, cutting about 1–1.5 cm above the soil surface — never uproot the plants. Store the cut greens dry in a sealed container in the fridge. The best part? Leave the stumps in the tray, keep watering, and watch a second flush grow back within days, often thicker than the first.
