What are the best trays for growing microgreens comes down to depth, drainage, material, and how cleanly the tray releases a dense mat of roots at harvest. Microgreens grow in shallow soil for only two to four weeks, so the tray has to drain well, hold moisture evenly, and survive repeated washings between crops.

Choosing the right tray depends on whether you grow with soil or hydroponically, how many crops you run at once, and whether you sell or eat what you grow. Standard 10 by 20 inch trays dominate commercial setups, while deeper trays suit larger seeds, shallow trays suit fine herbs, and food-grade plastics matter most when the tray touches edible stems. Drainage holes, rim height, and stacking compatibility all change how a tray performs.

Setup and hygiene decide whether a tray works long term. Drilling drainage holes, pairing a slotted tray with a solid catch tray, sanitizing between harvests, and avoiding cracked plastic all prevent rot, mold, and contamination, while skipping drainage or reusing dirty trays breeds damping-off and ruined crops. Get those wrong and the result is root rot, uneven germination, and a harvest that smells sour instead of fresh.

In this guide, we review 20 of the best trays for growing microgreens options by examining material, drainage, and what each one needs to perform.

What Are The Best Trays For Growing Micro Greens: 20 Best Options

1. Standard 10×20 Drainage Tray – Best Overall Tray For Growing Microgreens

Standard 10×20 drainage tray is the best overall tray for growing microgreens because the size matches commercial racks, drains freely, and holds enough growing medium for a full harvest. It is the tray most growers start with and return to.

Fill the tray with an inch of moistened medium, sow densely, and set it inside a solid catch tray so runoff does not flood the shelf. Sanitize between crops with a dilute bleach solution or hot soapy water.

10×20 drainage trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want a proven, rack-compatible tray.

2. 10×20 Solid Catch Tray – Best Bottom Tray For Microgreens

10×20 solid catch tray is the best bottom tray for microgreens because it holds runoff and lets you bottom-water without soaking the shelf. It pairs with a drainage tray for a complete two-part system.

Set the drainage tray inside the solid tray, water from below by filling the solid tray, and empty excess water after thirty minutes. Clean the catch tray between crops to prevent algae.

10×20 solid catch trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want a clean bottom-watering system.

3. Shallow Seed Tray – Best For Fine Microgreen Seeds

Shallow seed tray is the best for fine microgreen seeds because the low rim keeps humidity even and lets fine herbs like basil and arugula germinate without burying the seed too deep. It suits small-seed crops.

Fill the tray with a thin layer of fine medium, sow small seeds evenly across the surface, and mist gently rather than watering heavily. Cover with a humidity dome until germination.

Shallow seed trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers working with fine microgreen seeds.

4. Deep Cell Tray – Best For Larger Microgreen Seeds

Deep cell tray is the best for larger microgreen seeds because the extra depth supports pea shoots, sunflower, and other big seeds that need room for strong roots. It suits heavy-seed crops.

Pre-soak large seeds, sow them in the deeper cells, and weight the tray for the first two days to encourage strong stems. Water from the bottom once roots reach the base.

Deep cell trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers producing pea shoots and sunflower microgreens.

5. Food-Grade Plastic Tray – Best Safe Material For Edible Microgreens

Food-grade plastic tray is the best safe material for edible microgreens because it is manufactured without recycled contaminants that can leach into crops. It suits growers who sell or regularly eat what they harvest.

Confirm the tray is labeled food-grade and heat-resistant before use, and avoid scratched trays where bacteria can hide. Sanitize between harvests and replace trays that show cracks.

Food-grade plastic trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers concerned about edible crop safety.

6. Heavy-Duty Reusable Tray – Best Long-Lasting Tray For Microgreens

Heavy-duty reusable tray is the best long-lasting tray for microgreens because thick plastic survives repeated washing and stacking without cracking. It suits growers running continuous crops.

Use a soft brush and food-safe sanitizer between crops, and stack trays only when empty to avoid stressing the rims. Store them flat rather than leaning, which warps the base.

Heavy-duty reusable trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want trays that last many seasons.

7. Slotted Hydroponic Tray – Best For Soil-Free Microgreens

Slotted hydroponic tray is the best for soil-free microgreens because the slots let roots reach water while keeping seeds above the reservoir. It suits growers using pads or hydroponic methods.

Lay a grow pad or thin medium on the slotted tray, set it inside a solid reservoir, and keep water just below the root zone. Change the water every few days to prevent odor.

Slotted hydroponic trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want clean, soil-free microgreens.

8. Tray With Humidity Dome – Best For Germination And Microgreen Starts

Tray with humidity dome is the best for germination and microgreen starts because the dome holds moisture during the critical first days while seeds sprout. It suits growers starting delicate crops.

Place the dome over the tray until seeds sprout, then prop it open or remove it so air reaches the seedlings. Wipe condensation from the dome daily to reduce mold risk.

Trays with humidity domes from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers starting delicate microgreen varieties.

9. Stackable Microgreen Tray Set – Best Space-Saving Tray System

Stackable microgreen tray set is the best space-saving tray system because the trays nest and stack so a small space holds multiple crops. It suits growers with limited shelf room.

Stack trays only after germination, and rotate them so each tray receives even light. Check moisture in each stacked tray individually, since airflow between trays is limited.

Stackable microgreen tray sets from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers maximizing small spaces.

10. Bamboo Fiber Tray – Best Sustainable Tray For Microgreens

Bamboo fiber tray is the best sustainable tray for microgreens because it is made from renewable material and is biodegradable at end of life. It suits growers who want to reduce plastic use.

Line the tray with a thin layer of medium, water gently, and avoid soaking the tray, since bamboo fiber softens with prolonged wetness. Replace trays when they show wear.

Bamboo fiber trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers seeking compostable tray options.

11. Stainless Steel Tray – Best Durable Tray For Microgreen Production

Stainless steel tray is the best durable tray for microgreen production because it resists staining, cleans easily, and lasts for years without cracking. It suits growers running high-volume crops.

Use food-grade stainless trays with drainage holes, and sanitize them with hot water and food-safe cleaner between crops. Avoid abrasive scrubbing that dulls the surface.

Stainless steel trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want long-term durability.

12. Tray With Pre-Drilled Drainage Holes – Best Ready-To-Use Microgreen Tray

Tray with pre-drilled drainage holes is the best ready-to-use microgreen tray because the holes are already sized and spaced correctly, so no drilling is needed. It suits growers who want to start immediately.

Confirm the hole size suits your medium, since fine soil washes through large holes. Set the tray in a solid catch tray and water gently to avoid displacing seed.

Pre-drilled drainage trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want to skip the drilling step.

13. Silicone Seed Starting Tray – Best Flexible Tray For Microgreens

Silicone seed starting tray is the best flexible tray for microgreens because it releases dense root mats without tearing and withstands repeated washing. It suits growers harvesting whole mats at once.

Fill with medium, sow densely, and water carefully since silicone flexes and can spill medium if handled roughly. Support the tray with a solid base when moving it.

Silicone seed starting trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want easy mat release at harvest.

14. Extra-Deep Soil Tray – Best For Heavy-Duty Microgreen Crops

Extra-deep soil tray is the best for heavy-duty microgreen crops because it holds a thicker soil layer that supports wheatgrass and large sunflower crops. It suits growers producing heavier harvests.

Fill with two to three inches of medium, sow large seeds, and water thoroughly but less often since deeper soil holds moisture longer. Check moisture at depth before watering again.

Extra-deep soil trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers producing wheatgrass and large-seed microgreens.

15. Microgreen Tray Kit With Rack – Best Complete Setup For Beginners

Microgreen tray kit with rack is the best complete setup for beginners because it bundles trays, a rack, and often a light in one matched system. It suits growers setting up their first continuous crop.

Assemble the rack before filling trays, confirm drainage alignment, and set the light height according to the kit instructions. Test one crop before scaling up the whole rack.

Microgreen tray kits with racks from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want a single-box start.

16. Peat-Free Fiber Tray – Best Eco-Friendly Tray For Home Microgreen Growers

Peat-free fiber tray is the best eco-friendly tray for home microgreen growers because it avoids peat extraction and breaks down after use. It suits gardeners who want a low-waste setup.

Line the tray with a thin layer of medium and water gently to avoid softening the fiber. Use it for one crop, then compost it rather than reusing it repeatedly.

Peat-free fiber trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers seeking compostable tray options.

17. Wire Mesh Tray Insert – Best Drainage Insert For Microgreen Trays

Wire mesh tray insert is the best drainage insert for microgreen trays because it lifts the growing medium above standing water and lets roots breathe. It suits growers who reuse solid trays.

Place the mesh insert inside a solid tray, add medium on top, and keep water below the mesh level. Clean the mesh between crops to prevent clogging and algae.

Wire mesh tray inserts from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want better drainage without drilling holes.

18. Heavy-Duty Commercial Tray – Best Tray For Market Microgreen Growers

Heavy-duty commercial tray is the best tray for market microgreen growers because it is built for daily handling, stacking, and repeated sanitizing. It suits growers selling at farmers markets.

Use commercial-grade trays consistently across a rack so stacking stays even, and sanitize in batches between crops. Inspect rims regularly for cracks that could harbor bacteria.

Heavy-duty commercial trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers scaling production.

19. Clear Germination Tray – Best Light-Transmitting Tray For Microgreen Starts

Clear germination tray is the best light-transmitting tray for microgreen starts because it lets light reach the medium and shows root development without lifting the tray. It suits growers monitoring germination closely.

Fill with medium, sow evenly, and place a lid over the tray until sprouts appear, then remove it so light reaches the seedlings. Check moisture through the clear base instead of disturbing the seeds.

Clear germination trays from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want to watch roots develop.

20. Modular Microgreen Tray System – Best Expandable Tray Setup For Growing Collections

Modular microgreen tray system is the best expandable tray setup for growing collections because the trays connect and stack so you can scale up crop by crop. It suits growers who add new varieties over time.

Assemble the base modules first, then add tray sections as you expand. Confirm each module drains into a shared reservoir and check for leaks before filling with medium.

Modular microgreen tray systems from a reputable supplier are backed by quality guarantees and work well for growers who want room to grow.

Tips For Choosing Trays For Growing Microgreens

• Match tray depth to seed size: Fine seeds need shallow trays, while pea, sunflower, and wheatgrass need deep soil trays.
• Always plan for drainage: Use a slotted tray inside a solid catch tray, or drill holes yourself if the tray arrives solid.
• Use food-grade materials: Trays that touch edible stems should be food-grade, especially if you sell what you grow.
• Sanitize between crops: Wash trays with hot soapy water or a dilute food-safe sanitizer to prevent damping-off and mold.
• Buy rack-compatible sizes: Standard 10 by 20 inch trays fit most racks, lights, and humidity domes.
• Consider hydroponic pads: Slotted trays with pads make harvesting cleaner and eliminate soil washing.
• Store trays flat: Stacking trays while damp or storing them leaning warps the base and shortens their lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best trays for growing microgreens?

Standard 10 by 20 inch drainage trays are the best overall choice because they fit commercial racks, drain freely, and hold a full crop. Solid catch trays, slotted hydroponic trays, and deep cell trays follow closely for specific methods.

2. Do microgreen trays need drainage holes?

Yes. Drainage prevents waterlogged medium, root rot, and mold. Pair a slotted tray with a solid catch tray so runoff does not flood shelves.

3. What size tray is best for microgreens?

Standard 10 by 20 inch trays are the most common because they match racks, lights, and domes. Smaller trays suit home growers, while deep cell trays suit large seeds.

4. Can I grow microgreens without soil in trays?

Yes. Slotted hydroponic trays with grow pads let you grow microgreens without soil, though the water needs changing every few days.

5. How do I clean microgreen trays between harvests?

Wash trays with hot soapy water or a dilute food-safe sanitizer, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely before the next crop. Replace cracked or scratched trays.

6. Are food-grade trays necessary for microgreens?

They are strongly recommended because trays contact edible stems. Food-grade plastic avoids contaminants that ordinary recycled plastics may carry.

7. What is the best tray for growing pea shoots and sunflower?

Deep cell trays or extra-deep soil trays work best because they give large seeds room for strong roots and heavier stems.

Conclusion

Standard 10 by 20 drainage tray is the best overall tray for growing microgreens because it fits commercial racks, drains freely, and holds a full crop. Solid catch trays and slotted hydroponic trays follow closely for specific methods.

Shallow seed trays, deep cell trays, food-grade plastics, heavy-duty reusable trays, humidity domes, stackable sets, bamboo fiber trays, stainless steel trays, pre-drilled trays, silicone trays, extra-deep soil trays, complete kits, peat-free fiber trays, wire mesh inserts, commercial trays, clear germination trays, and modular systems each solve a specific microgreen growing need.

Effective tray choice depends on seed size, growing method, rack compatibility, and hygiene. Drainage, material safety, and sanitation matter more than brand or color.

Start with a rack-compatible drainage tray and catch tray, sanitize between crops, and match depth to the seeds you grow. Thoughtful selection delivers even germination and clean harvests crop after crop.