Growing Alfalfa Sprouts Indoors

Last Updated on April 11, 2022 by Marco C.

Alfalfa sprouts are a common addition to many meals, and growing alfalfa sprouts indoors is now more possible than ever. Not only can you easily grow them indoors, but you can also grow them in a jar, requiring as little equipment as possible.

In today’s article, we’ll be learning how to grow alfalfa sprouts indoors.

Table of Contents

What Are Alfalfa Sprouts?

Alfalfa is an herb, originally thought to have originated in Asia, and it’s been used for decades as livestock feed. However, it’s lately become popular as an addition to many meals.

It’s important to sprout the seeds and add the sprouts to meals, while seeds can also be eaten as supplements. A cup of alfalfa sprouts is very low in calories – usually having less than 10 calories per 33 grams.

They’re a great addition to any food because they’re filled with vitamins K and C, as well as iron, copper, riboflavin, and magnesium. They’re full of fiber too, which is known to bring balance to your everyday nutritional needs.

Vitamin K is particularly useful when it comes to the absorption of calcium. However, a cup of alfalfa sprouts contains only 8% of your daily vitamin K needs, so it’s best to eat either more alfalfa sprouts or more foods rich in vitamin K.

However, the most apparent benefit by far is the lowering of cholesterol – this property has been studied with animals, and its shown that alfalfa sprouts lower cholesterol. This is very important to people dealing with a chronic heart condition, as it decreases the risk of developing more stress.

Lastly, alfalfa sprouts have an antioxidant effect, probably because of their high concentration of vitamin C, but these tests aren’t yet conclusive.

The Jar Method

There are two methods when it comes to growing alfalfa sprouts indoors, we’ll cover the jar method first.

You’re going to need a standard mason jar – take the lid, remove the lining and drill some holes in the lid – they’re necessary so air could pass through. To start, add three tablespoons of alfalfa seeds – you can buy them in basically every grocery store.

If you have a particularly small jar, the process is the same, but you’ll add two tablespoons instead.

After adding the seeds, you need to cover them with two inches of water – keep the water at room temperature. Cover the jar and let it rest.

Take the lid off in the morning and put some gauze over the opening of the jar. Tighten the gauze with a rubber band and pour the water out slowly – the seeds should remain in the jar.

Then, add water again and rinse your drained seeds. The water should always be moderately warm – not cold, not hot. Make sure to rinse your seeds twice a day, every day, until they’re the size you like them.

When it comes to lighting, sprouts will need some light to actually, well – sprout. It’s best to keep them near a window or in a spot the sun actually reaches well. This especially applies to leaving them between rinsing.

This method usually doesn’t take more than five days to develop sprouts, which are immediately ready for consummation, but you can also store them in a fridge.

The Tray Method

The second method for growing alfalfa sprouts is the clay method. Once you buy the seeds, growing alfalfa sprouts at home starts by measuring the number of seeds you’ll use. Follow the same process you did in the previous method, however, after the first soak, you’ll spread the seeds on a tray.

Spread them evenly and put them in a pan that you’ll fill with water for the most part – the pan should be larger than the tray itself. Water should surround the tray, but it shouldn’t actually spill into it – the whole setup should look like an island in the ocean.

Move that setup into a dark room, where the seeds will actually sprout. The tray will moisten the seeds as it will drink up the water, but it won’t let in too much water so the seeds drown in it.

You’ll notice that the water is evaporating once a day, so you should refill it. This method doesn’t take more than five days, so it’s just as effective as the jar method.

After five days, the sprouts will look young and healthy, indicating that they’re ready to go out into the sun. Putting them in direct sunlight will cause them to go green, indicating that they’re ready to be eaten.

However, the jar method is a favorite to most people because it’s generally cleaner and it takes less space.

Learn more about: How To Grow Cantaloupe Indoors? All The Secrets Of A Successful Harvest

FAQ

How long do alfalfa sprouts take to grow?

Both the jar method and the tray method take no more than five days if you do everything right. Theoretically, if you're getting enough sun in your home, you could be growing alfalfa sprouts throughout the entire year.

Are alfalfa sprouts easy to grow?

Alfalfa sprouts are some of the easiest plants to grow. Complete amateurs can grow them as they need minimum effort and minimum care.

How to grow alfalfa sprouts in a jar?

Using a large mason jar, you'll need to fill it with alfalfa seeds and two inches of water. Leaving it overnight, you should drain the water with a gauze every morning, and repeat that process later in the day for five days until your seeds have finally sprouted.

To End

Alfalfa sprouts are a common food for everyone that wants to stay healthy and fill their body with vitamins K and C. They’re also incredibly easy to grow and to use in everyday meals, so it’s not a surprise that they’re a favorite to amateur cooks.

To grow alfalfa sprouts, all you need is a mason jar, some gauze, and alfalfa seeds. The alternative method is very similar, but you’ll need a tray, a pan, and alfalfa seeds. Either way, both of these methods usually take five days to complete and have green alfalfa sprouts growing in your home.

What Are Alfalfa Sprouts?