New to Sprouting? Here's My Full Breakdown of the Best Seeds to Start With 🌱

This morning, I released a new YouTube video diving into one of my favourite topics: Sprouting! Specifically, I shared my tips on which seeds are best for beginners, and I thought it would be helpful to put together a full blog post to complement the video.

If you’re just getting started with sprouting, the choices can feel overwhelming. Do you go for the easiest? The most nutritious? The prettiest? The fastest-growing? The truth is, each seed brings its own benefits—whether it’s taste, growth speed, colour, or nutrient profile.

🌿 Easy-to-Grow, Fast Germinators (Great for Beginners)

These are your go-to seeds if you're just starting out and want quick results.

• Alfalfa Seeds:Tiny, mild, slightly nutty taste. Grows in 4–6 days. Nutrient-rich in vitamin K and phytoestrogens. Great in salads or sandwiches.

• Mungbeans:Medium-sized and plump up beautifully. Mild, slightly sweet taste. Ready in 3–5 days. High in protein, vitamin C and fiber.

• Red Clover:Similar to alfalfa in size and taste, but with a slightly deeper flavour. Ready in 5–6 days. Known for supporting hormonal balance.

• Lentils:Medium-sized, earthy flavour, very satisfying crunch. Grows in 2–4 days. High in protein, iron, and folate.

• Chickpeas:Large seeds, with a nutty taste and satisfying bite. Ready in 3–4 days. Great for hearty salads or sprouted hummus.

  
  

🌶️ Bold in Flavour (For a Little Kick!)

These are the seeds you reach for when you want flavour that stands out.

• Radish Seeds:Tiny, but pack a spicy punch! Grows in 4–6 days. Beautiful reddish stems and loaded with antioxidants.

• Mustard Seeds:Another fiery favourite. Sharp, peppery flavour. Ready in 5–7 days. Stimulates digestion and metabolism.

• Fenugreek Seeds:Medium-sized, with a distinct, earthy bitterness - almost curry flavour. Popular in Ayurvedic medicine. Grows in 3–5 days. Excellent for blood sugar balance.

• Leek Seeds:Mild onion flavour, great in savoury dishes. Thin, grass-like sprouts. Takes a bit longer—6–10 days—but so worth it.

  
  

🥦 Cruciferous Family (Nutrient Powerhouses)

These seeds are especially rich in sulforaphane, a potent anti-cancer compound.

• Broccoli Seeds:Tiny but mighty! Mild flavour, grows in 4–6 days. One of the most nutrient-dense sprouts available.

• Cabbage Seeds:Slightly peppery, colourful stems (sometimes with hints of purple). Grows in 5–7 days. Loaded with vitamins C and K.

• Cauliflower Seeds:Similar to broccoli, with a gentler flavour and delicate sprouts. Grows in 5–7 days.

  
  

🌈 Colourful & Unique Options

If you’re looking to add visual interest to your sprout jars and dishes:

• Beetroot Seeds:Gorgeous pink stems, slightly earthy taste. Slower to germinate (6–10 days), but so worth it visually!

• Swiss Chard Seeds:Stunning colours from pink to yellow. Mild taste, takes 6–10 days to grow.

• Buckwheat:Medium-sized, with a soft, chewy sprout and neutral taste. Grows in 2–4 days. Contains rutin, a powerful antioxidant.

Seed	Taste	Growth Time	Nutrient Highlight	Colour
Alfalfa	Mild, nutty	4–6 days	Vitamin K, phytoestrogens	Light green
Mungbeans	Mild, fresh	3–5 days	Protein, Vitamin C	Pale green
Lentils	Earthy, hearty	2–4 days	Iron, Folate	Green or brown
Chickpeas	Nutty, creamy	3–4 days	Protein, Fiber	Beige
Radish	Spicy, peppery	4–6 days	Antioxidants	Red stems
Mustard	Sharp, hot	5–7 days	Stimulates digestion	Green
Broccoli	Mild	4–6 days	Sulforaphane	Light green
Cabbage	Mild, peppery	5–7 days	Vitamin C, K	Purple stems
Cauliflower	Soft, neutral	5–7 days	Vitamin C, folate	Pale green
Fenugreek	Bitter, earthy, curry	3–5 days	Blood sugar regulation	Yellowish green
Leek	Mild onion	6–10 days	Sulfur compounds	Grass-like green
Beetroot	Earthy	6–10 days	Iron, antioxidants	Pink stems
Swiss Chard	Mild	6–10 days	Vitamin A, antioxidants	Multicoloured
Red Clover	Sweet, mild	5–6 days	Hormonal balance	Pale green
Buckwheat	Neutral	2–4 days	Rutin antioxidant	Pale green

If you’re new to sprouting, I recommend starting with alfalfa, mungbeans, or lentils—they’re fast, forgiving, and incredibly nutritious. As you get more confident, bring in variety with radish, broccoli, or beetroot for a pop of colour and flavour.

And don’t forget to watch the full YouTube video, where I show you what they look like and my favourite ways to eat them. 🌿https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6oiP_kg5EY

Wanting to buy seeds from Namo? You can use this link - https://www.namohealth.co.za/organic-and-real-food

Happy sprouting! 💚