How To Grow Broccoli From Seed Indoors

Last Updated on May 25, 2022 by Marco C.

Given how easy it fits into any meal plan, it’s no wonder so many people want to learn how to grow broccoli from seed indoors. This vegetable is one of the most common vegetables in the kitchen, and nowadays, you can grow it indoors just as well as outdoors. In today’s article, we’ll be learning how to grow broccoli from seed indoors.

What You Will Need To Grow Broccoli Indoors

Equipment

  • containers
  • seed trays
  • LED growing lights

Ingredients

  • broccoli seeds
  • water
  • soil

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 – Choosing The Variety

Unlike other plants – broccoli doesn’t have difficult requests when it comes to watering and lighting. What’s important, though, is choosing the right variety to grow. You don’t want to grow a ton of broccoli you won’t eat.

It’s best to inform yourself about the varieties in your garden shop, as most information is usually printed on the seed bag. The most important things to keep in mind are growth speed – some varieties of broccoli can grow to become ready to eat in less than a month.

There are also slow growers – which are a good choice if you eat broccoli less and you don’t want it smothering your fridge storage space all the time. Another thing to keep in mind is size – different varieties grow in different sizes.

Step 2 – Planting In Seed Trays (Sowing)

To start your seed, you’ll need to plant the seeds in seed trays. Add the potting soil to the trays and put two seeds half an inch deep, cover it with the soil and let it rest. It will take at least five days for the broccoli to germinate, but it can take up to two weeks. During this time, you should be watering it with a spray bottle – not by directly pouring water into the tray.

Once they start to germinate, you can move them under your grow lights. It would be best if you could provide actual sunlight, but if your windows aren’t well-placed, then you’ll need grow lights. Broccoli isn’t too high-maintenance when it comes to lighting – it needs about 8 hours of light a day.

Keep spraying them regularly, and once the seedlings have grown to about 5 inches, you can transplant them into the containers.

Step 2 - Planting In Seed Trays (Sowing)

Read more about: What Kind Of Light To Use For Growing Vegetables Indoors

Step 3 – Transplanting The Broccoli Into Containers

People often think that broccoli is a small vegetable, so they buy small containers. They’re actually quite large when it comes to their root system and they need large containers to grow. It’d be best to get tall containers – at least three feet in height – and half that much in width.

Another thing you should keep in mind when you’re buying containers is that broccoli likes water, so you’ll be watering it plentifully – make sure that there’s good drainage in your containers.

When you’re finally moving the broccoli from the seeding trays to the containers, just put them in the soil, cover the seedlings up and water your plants.

Step 4 – Care For The Broccoli

Broccoli doesn’t require much care. They need at least six hours of sunlight a day, but they’ll do much better if they get at least eight. If you can’t provide natural sunlight, as we’ve already explained, buy growing lights and install them. Most grow lights are more than good enough to simulate natural sunlight.

Another important thing to keep in mind is water. Broccoli likes moist soil, so you’ll have to water your plant once the soil dries out. Your plants should be established once you transplant them into the containers, so you can start watering them directly – not just spraying them.

They don’t have specific requirements about temperature or moisture. They’ll do very well at room temperature and you won’t have to work at all to get them to grow. Just make sure that it’s not too hot or too cold.

Lastly, when it comes to fertilizing, broccoli doesn’t need much of it, but your veggies will certainly benefit from it if you fertilize them every few months.

Step 5 – Harvesting Broccoli

Your broccoli is ready for the harvest once its stalks are firm and the plant reaches its size (different varieties grow to different sizes, so there’s no rule for this). Broccoli should be green when you pick it!

Tips and Tricks

Green broccoli is ripe – once it starts going yellow, it’s starting to go bad. Make sure to pick it up on time.

When you’re picking your broccoli, make sure to leave some of the stem – that way, more broccoli will grow from the same stem.

Read more about: Growing Vegetable Plants From Seeds Indoors

FAQ

How long does it take to grow broccoli from seed?

This depends on the variety - there are varieties that can grow to fruition in under a month, but there are also slow-growing varieties. If you eat plenty of broccoli, then fast-growing broccoli is definitely the smarter choice as you don't want to run out.

Is broccoli easy to grow?

Broccoli is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors and it's a great choice for any beginner! You don't need to provide anything special - a normal amount of sunlight and water. You don't even need to fertilize this vegetable if you don't feel like it.

How much space does broccoli need to grow?

It actually needs quite a bit of space. Make sure to buy a container that's at least 3 feet deep and at least a foot wide. Broccoli has a particularly congested root system, which is why it needs so much space.

To Sum Up

Broccoli can be easily grown indoors and all you need are containers, seeding trays, and soil. Make sure to pick the variety carefully – not all varieties grow at the same rate and not all of them grow to the same size. Once you plant the seeds into the seeding tray, broccoli germination will take up to 10 days (but probably less).

After they grow to a good, 5-inch size, you can move them into the containers and grow them until they’re green and ready for harvest!

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