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This blog post covers not only how to grow Wheatgrass at home with and without soil (which is ridiculously simple to do!), but also some suggested uses for this superfood!

My introduction to Wheatgrass was seeing it on a TV show growing up as the go-to for a morning ‘shot of health’. But in terms of money, a daily shot of Wheatgrass bought from your local juice shop is sure to add up. Now, this post will show you how to grow Wheatgrass at home to save your pennies.
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What is Wheatgrass?
Starting off with something super simple. What is Wheatgrass? It is the first grass of wheat grains, harvested before it reaches full size (usually 7-10 days after sprouting).

How to use Wheatgrass
While Wheatgrass can be bought as a powder or supplement, I will be focusing on uses from homegrown Wheatgrass. Specifically, the most obvious being for your own wheatgrass shots (blog post coming soon!) However, Wheatgrass can also be used to supercharge other juices, smoothies, various other beverages, as well as salad dressings etc.
Super Tip: It’s worth noting that if you’re only implementing Wheatgrass into your diet now; Wheatgrass can slightly upset your tummy if your body isn’t used to its powerful detoxification. To combat this, you can begin by incorporating a 1/2 shot (30ml) into your diet to start with and adjusting the amount over time. (Otherwise, you may experience side effects such as a headache, nausea and fatigue).
Surprisingly, fresh wheatgrass juice isn’t just used for ingesting. You can also include wheatgrass juice in your bath to soothe your skin, reduce scarring and acne as well as cleanse the skin. I have even heard of people using it to massage into the scalp (then rinse) to reduce dandruff. As well as applied topically to soothe bites and scratches and soften hands and skin.
I haven’t had the chance to use it for any non-food related reasons as of yet. If you have, please let me know what for and if it worked, in the comments below!

How to Grow Wheatgrass at home
Hopefully, I’ve officially convinced you to add this powerhouse to your diet. With that in mind, let’s get into the details of how to grow Wheatgrass at home, with and without soil.
It’s also worth noting. Once you’ve cut the Wheatgrass, you can allow it to grow a second time for more wheatgrass juice. However, after that, I would suggest growing a new batch.
What’s needed

- Organic wheatgrass seeds
- water
- Sprouting container/glass jar
- Tray
- Soil (if using the Method with soil)
First – sprout the seeds
These first steps are used for both the soil & soilless version.
Rinse the seeds then put in a sprouting container and cover with a mesh. Add 1 cup of water and soak for 8 hours.

Drain and rinse well.
Fill the container with water, invert it and let the water drain through the mesh. Leave it upside down.

Rinse the seeds 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days. Tiny sprouts form within 2-3 days.

How To grow Wheatgrass with soil
When the sprouts appear, it’s time to plant. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) organic compost/ planting soil to a tray (with holes at the bottom) and water it. Sprinkle the seeds across the soil.

Cover the tray with a lid or a newspaper. The darkness will help it grow. Spray it with water daily.

Remove the lid/newspaper when the grass reaches about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) and continue to water daily.

You can harvest when the grass reaches about 5 inches (12 cm). Simply cut the grass close to the root.


How to Grow Wheatgrass Without Soil
Growing wheatgrass without soil is the cheaper, prettier option. However, without the nutrients given to the plant by a good quality organic compost, the plant itself will also grow to have fewer nutrients. It is also more hands-on, in terms of the growth process.
That’s not to say that it’s pointless to use this method for juicing. However, it’s just something worth noting if you want to take advantage of the maximum amount of nutrients that you can.

Growing Wheatgrass without soil is fairly similar to the first method. First you need to use the exact same method for sprouting the wheat.
This point is now where the method differs. For soilless wheatgrass, you then spread out your seeds across the bottom of the container and cover with water.

I then covered the container with a cloth for the first night to create a warmer, darker area for them to grow.

You then simply repeat the process of rinsing and draining the seeds a couple of times a day (this is an important step to help you avoid mould!!).

Within a few days the shoots will have started to grow. By day 8/9, they are ready to harvest.
Tip* Keep the container well ventilated to avoid the growth of mould and remember to rinse and drain the seeds a couple of times a day too.

Tip: I have heard of another way, by layering wet kitchen towel on the bottom of your dish , then your seeds and a piece of clingfilm on top. This creates a ‘greenhouse’ like effect for the first few days, while they begin to grow. I haven’t tested this method though and not sure if it would increase the risk of mould. If anyone has had success with this method, please let me know in the comments below.
What next?
You can then use the freshly harvested wheatgrass to juice immediately and consume. The fresh juice can also be kept in the fridge for up to a week (although, it will lose nutritional value over time!). Alternatively, you can freeze portions of 3tBsp juice in a large ice-cube tray.
I go into details as well as explain how to make your own wheatgrass juice in this blog post – How to make Wheatgrass Shots and Juice.

Note: Wheatgrass is susceptible to mould when you’re growing it at home, so take notice of any changes. If there are any signs of spoilage or the juice is suddenly more bitter, then have caution and don’t drink it! (the wheatgrass roots are ‘feathery’, so don’t mistake this for mould).
Plus, if you’re looking for any other DIY inspiration then I have lots to choose from. From How to make Coconut Butter, to Homemade Oat Milk (that isn’t slimy) or even DIY Homemade Vegan Nutella. In fact, I have quite a few homemade milks, cheeses, baking ingredients and more.
If you give this DIY a go then please let me know in the comments below! Also, I love to see your creations so feel free to tag me @AlphaFoodie.

How To Grow Wheatgrass At Home (With & Without Soil)
Equipment
- sprouting jar or regular glass jar
- Baking tray
Ingredients
- 1-3 tBsp organic wheatgrass seeds
- water
- soil
Instructions
Sprouting the seeds
- Rinse the seeds then put in a sprouting container and cover with a mesh. Add 1 cup of water and soak for 8 hours.
- Drain and rinse well. Then fill the container with water, invert it and let the water drain through the mesh. Leave it upside down.
- Rinse the seeds 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days. Tiny sprouts form within 2-3 days.Next – choose one of the methods below.
Method 1 – Using soil
- Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) organic compost/planting soil to a tray (with holes at the bottom) and water it. Sprinkle the sprouted seeds across the soil.
- Cover the tray with a lid or a newspaper. The darkness will help it grow. Spray it with water daily.
- Remove the lid/newspaper when the grass reaches about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) and continue to water daily.
- You can harvest when the grass reaches about 5 inches (12 cm). Simply cut the grass close to the root.
Method 2 – No soil*
- Spread out the spouted seeds across the bottom of the container and cover with water.
- Cover the container with a cloth for the first night to create a warmer, darker area for them to grow.
- Repeat the process of rinsing and draining the seeds a couple of times a day (this is an important step to help you avoid mould!!). Within a few days the shoots will have started to grow.
- By day 8/9, they are ready to harvest.
Video
Notes
Hi, thanks for the detailed guides, i have a question, if i were to grow the plant in the soil, what do i do after harvest? As to my knowledge it is recommended to harvest just once or maximum twice. Do i dispose the soil/compost with it? Or is there a way i can save it? Or is there a better way to save resources?
Hi there,
Thank you for your comment. You can reuse the soil for another batch of wheatgrass if it hasn’t been too depleted, or you can enrich it with some fresh compost. Alternatively, you can dispose of the soil or compost it. I hope this helps.
This is helpful to me. Thanks.
Glad to hear it, thank you!
Hi, I’m looking forward to trying to grow some wheat grass without soil. Question-in step 1 of the soilless instructions, it says to spread the sprouts on a tray and cover with water. Is that correct to cover the seeds with water and then the next day begin to rinse them or should it say ‘cover with a towel?’
Thank you for your time.
Hi Yoh,
Thank you for your comment.
The seeds need the water – you can first cover them with water and then place the towel on top of them (it will get wet), or you can first cover them with the towel and then pour the water on top. Then the next day you need to refresh the water. I hope this helps.
Hi, came across your page on a Google search. Fabulous info for growing wheatgrass. Question .. my home is cool, so would it be beneficial to use a seedling mat? It keeps a constant temperature of 80 F. Looking forward to trying this. The benefits of the juice seem fabulous for reducing blood sugar. Thanks for your time.
Hi Colleen,
I used to place mine on the kitchen window where it was pretty cool too, especially in the winter. They still thrived. I never tried with a seedling mat but maybe you should use it only at the beginning until the seeds sprout. Let me know if you decide to use it and how it goes.
Hi, I’m growing some wheatgrass for my cat, I wanted to know if I need to bury the seeds because I grew them in soil and I just spread some seeds on top and then covered them but now I think it kind of looks weird and that I should have buried them also I think I didn’t put enough seeds because it’s not bushy like pictures I have seen.
Hey Reyna! It’s great that you’re growing wheatgrass for your cat! When growing wheatgrass in soil, you don’t need to bury the seeds—just lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil or a damp paper towel during the first couple of days to help with moisture and germination.
If your wheatgrass looks sparse, it’s likely because not enough seeds were used. For a fuller, bushier look, try spreading the seeds more densely next time, making sure they are close together but not overlapping too much.
Hope that helps, and I’d love to hear how your next batch turns out!
I have been examinating out a few of your posts and i must say pretty good stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.
Thank you for your comment.
Hey Samira. Going with the no-soil option but when I have grown the sprouts and covered them with water they seem to go brown. Do you have a tip? . Using tap water,- don’t know if that has a say.
Thank you in advance, Maria.
Hey Maria! It sounds like your wheatgrass might be over-soaking or not getting enough oxygen. When growing wheatgrass without soil, try changing the water daily to keep it fresh and prevent rot. If you’re using tap water, letting it sit for a few hours before using it may help, as chlorine can sometimes stress the sprouts. Also, make sure only the roots are in water while the blades stay above to avoid excess moisture buildup.
Hope this helps, and I’d love to hear how it goes!
Hi, I’m growing this in a combo of soil & compost since I tried the soil-less method and it just didn’t work for me. We are in hot-as-heck Texas and thanks to my grandson telling me he just puts them on soil, he has grown a ton for his cats & dogs. It’s really good for them too 🙂 Thank you again for your article, very informative!
Thank you so much for your comment, Nancy. Glad you managed to grow some 🙂
Can’t wait to get started on my first batch!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
A very thorough and informative article. The step by step instruction on how to grow wheatgrass at home is very clear. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment, Dollie.