Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) is the young grass of the common wheat plant, valued for its concentrated nutritional profile. Growing this plant indoors without conventional soil has become a popular method to produce clean, dense crops efficiently. This approach, often called hydroponic growing, utilizes specialized media and water instead of dirt, resulting in a cleaner harvest.
Pre-Growth Seed Preparation
Properly activating the seeds is the first step toward a successful soil-free crop. High-quality wheat berries, often labeled as hard red winter wheat, should be rinsed to remove dust or debris before soaking. Soaking the seeds for 8 to 12 hours softens the outer seed coat and signals the embryo to begin germination. This period should not be extended to prevent the seeds from fermenting or dying in the standing water.
After soaking, rinse and drain the seeds to encourage sprouting and inhibit mold. Rinse the seeds under cool water and drain completely, using a mesh screen or sprouting jar. This process should be repeated two to three times daily for 24 to 48 hours. Once a small white root, or tail, of about two millimeters emerges, the seeds are ready to be transferred to the growing medium.
Setting Up the Soil-Free System
Selecting the appropriate substrate is key when growing wheatgrass without soil. Hydroponic growing mats, such as those made from natural hemp or coconut coir, are effective alternatives to traditional planting mixes. These mats provide a sterile, fibrous structure for the roots to anchor into while maintaining consistent moisture. The chosen mat should be cut to fit a shallow growing tray that has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Saturate the mat fully, then gently press or wring it out until damp but not dripping wet. Placing the prepared tray inside a second, solid tray without holes allows for efficient bottom watering and excess water collection later in the growth cycle. The pre-sprouted seeds must then be distributed evenly and densely across the entire surface of the moist mat. It is important to cover the mat completely with a single layer of seeds, minimizing clumping or excessive piling.
Other options include heavy-duty paper towels or fine mesh screens, though they require careful moisture management. Some growers choose to sprout the wheat berries directly in a shallow layer of water, although this method is suitable only for very short-term growth and requires constant water changes. Regardless of the substrate, the goal is to provide a clean, damp surface where the dense root system can establish a strong, mat-like structure.
Nurturing the Growing Crop
Once spread, the seeds must undergo germination in a dark, warm environment to encourage root development. The tray should be covered with a blackout dome or another inverted tray for two to three days. This darkness prompts the seeds to push their roots down into the mat while the shoots stretch upward in search of light. During this blackout period, the seeds should be misted with water one to two times daily to ensure the mat remains consistently moist.
When shoots reach one to two inches, remove the cover and move the tray to a light source. Wheatgrass thrives under bright, indirect sunlight or full-spectrum grow lights for 12 to 16 hours each day. While direct sun can be tolerated, it often increases the need for more frequent watering, complicating moisture control. The growing environment should maintain a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth.
Proper air circulation prevents mold, a common issue in humid, soil-free setups. Placing a small fan nearby across the grass surface helps evaporate excess moisture and inhibit spore development. Watering should transition from misting the surface to bottom watering once the roots have anchored firmly to the mat. This involves pouring water into the lower collection tray, allowing the root mat to wick up the moisture it needs without saturating the grass blades.
Harvesting and Storage
Wheatgrass is typically ready for its first and most nutrient-dense harvest within seven to ten days of planting. At this point, the blades should have reached an average height of six to eight inches. Harvesting the grass when it is too short may result in a less flavorful product, while waiting too long can cause the blades to become tough. The most beneficial time to harvest is the jointing stage, when the second leaf spear begins to emerge.
To harvest, a clean, sharp tool, such as scissors or a knife, should be used to cut the grass. The blades should be snipped about one inch above the surface of the growing mat. Cutting the grass one inch above the root line ensures the final yield does not contain the fibrous root mat or any potential mold near the base. The soil-free method generally produces a single robust harvest, as the nutrient reserves in the mat are usually exhausted after the first cutting.
Once harvested, the wheatgrass should be used immediately to maximize its freshness and nutritional content. If short-term storage is necessary, the cut blades can be placed in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator. Wrapping the grass in a slightly damp paper towel before refrigeration helps maintain hydration. Freezing the freshly extracted juice in ice cube trays is another method for preserving the yield over a longer period.