Broccoli is one of the most popular seeds to grow as sprouts and microgreens, but not all varieties perform equally. The right choice will affect your yield, stem thickness, flavour, and even how well the crop tolerates growing conditions. Here’s what you need to know before choosing your broccoli seeds for sprouting or microgreens.
Best Broccoli Seed Variety for Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli Italian Sprouting Calabrese is the variety we recommend for sprouting. It produces consistent, uniform sprouts with thick, crunchy stems and excellent flavour. Italian Sprouting Calabrese offers a reliable balance of:
- High yield – maximises sprout production per gram of seed.
- Thick stems – makes sprouts crisp and juicy.
- Consistent germination – better results in a wide range of conditions.
Best Broccoli Seed Variety for Microgreens
Waltham 29 is the best choice for microgreens. While it is a traditional heading broccoli in the garden, when grown as microgreens it produces:
- Strong, upright stems for easy harvesting and good presentation.
- Rich, green cotyledons with a fresh, mild flavour.
- Reliable germination that adapts well to trays and indoor conditions.
If you need to balance cost with yield, then Broccoli Sprouting Calabrese is a good substitute for Waltham 29. In Australia, this variety is less than half the price of Waltham 29 (Approximately $60/kg compared to $170/kg+). The reason for this? Broccoli sprouts are hugely popular in Australia, and seed is produced in large volume to suit this market. Volume bulk discounts exist for the Calabrese variety.
Why Not Hybrid Varieties?
Hybrid broccoli types such as Imperial or Marathon are excellent for commercial field production, but they are unsuitable for sprouting or microgreens. The main reason is cost – hybrid seed is far more expensive ($3000+ per kg) which makes it uneconomical when growing sprouts or microgreens that are harvested within days or weeks.
Balancing Costs vs Yield
When choosing seed for sprouting and microgreens, the goal is to find a variety that offers the best yield at the lowest cost. Heirloom varieties like Italian Sprouting Calabrese and Waltham 29 strike the right balance: they are affordable, easy to grow, and give reliable results in both yield and quality.
Why We Don’t Stock Australian Grown Broccoli Sprouting Seed?
We are often asked why our broccoli sprouting seed is not Australian-grown. The reason is consistency and predictability. Much of the locally available broccoli sprouting seed is sold as VNS (Variety Not Specified). The problem with VNS seed is that:
- Unpredictable performance – some batches sprout well, others do not.
- Heat and humidity sensitivity – without knowing whether it is a summer or winter variety, crops may fail in the wrong conditions.
- Variable yield and flavour – not all broccoli varieties are suited to sprouting or microgreens.
By sourcing named varieties like Italian Sprouting Calabrese and Waltham 29, we ensure you receive seeds that are tested and proven to deliver the results you expect.
Key Differences: Sprouting vs Microgreens
| Aspect | Sprouting | Microgreens |
|---|---|---|
| Variety Choice | Italian Sprouting Calabrese | Waltham 29 |
| Growth Duration | 3–5 days | 7–14 days |
| Harvest Part | Entire sprout – root, stem & cotyledons | Stem and cotyledons, cut above soil |
| Stem Thickness | Thicker, crunchy stems | Upright, delicate stems |
| Yield | High yield per gram | Moderate, depends on density |
Final Thoughts
When growing broccoli as sprouts or microgreens, variety choice is everything. Broccoli Italian Sprouting Calabrese is your best option for sprouting thanks to its high yield and crunchy stems, while Waltham 29 is the standout for microgreens with its upright stems and reliable growth. Avoid hybrids for cost reasons, and be cautious of VNS seed which lacks predictability. By choosing the right seed, you’ll enjoy consistent, nutritious harvests at the best value.