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Shoots Microgreen

Sunflower Shoots

Sunflower shoots (Helianthus annuus) are a shoot microgreen with a nutty, crisp and mild flavor, ready to harvest in 8-12 days. MicrogreenUSA grows them sushi-grade indoors for wholesale standing orders, and they are best for volume salads, bowls and texture.

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Sunflower Shoots Microgreens

Sunflower shoots are the workhorse green of any wholesale program - thick, juicy stems with a satisfying crunch and a clean, nutty flavor that reads almost like fresh sprouted seed. They hold up on the plate longer than delicate greens and bring real texture rather than just garnish.

Chefs use sunflower shoots in salads, grain bowls, sandwiches and as a substantial bed under proteins. Their sturdiness makes them ideal for high-volume service where a fragile microgreen would wilt.

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Common nameSunflower Shoots
Botanical nameHelianthus annuus
CategoryShoots
FlavorNutty, crisp, mild
Grow time8-12 days
Best forVolume salads, bowls, texture
AvailabilityYear-round wholesale
Minimum order5 lbs / week
Grow Data & Sources

What do seed suppliers publish for growing sunflower microgreens?

These figures are True Leaf Market's published guide for Sunflower - Black Oil - Microgreens Seeds (Helianthus annuus), not our farm schedule (that is on our process page).

Seeding rate (10x20 tray)about 9 oz of presoaked seeds over an entire 10x20 tray (recommended rate)
Pre-soakYes, 3-6 hours in cold water
Days to harvest7-10 days
FlavorNutty, sweet, savory, and oily with minimal bitterness

Sources: True Leaf Market.

How does sunflower compare with the other microgreens we grow?

At 7-10 days, sunflower is the 6th fastest of 18 varieties by supplier harvest window. Sunflower seed is soaked in the supplier guide, as are beet and cilantro.

Is there USDA nutrition data for sunflower microgreens?

Not from a lab: FoodData Central has only 2 manufacturer label listings for sunflower microgreens, so we print no nutrient figures.

Are sunflower microgreens a food-safety concern?

FDA classes sunflower microgreens as covered produce, not sprouts (FDA guidance). Sunflower microgreens were in the 2018 Greenbelt recall for possible Listeria, with no illnesses reported (FDA notice).

Common Questions

Sunflower Shoots FAQ

What do sunflower shoots taste like?

Sunflower shoots have a nutty, crisp and mild flavor. They are the workhorse green of any wholesale program - thick, juicy stems with a satisfying crunch and a clean, nutty flavor that reads almost like fresh sprouted seed. They hold up on the plate longer than delicate greens and bring real texture rather than just garnish. They are the young cotyledon-stage greens of Helianthus annuus, harvested before the first true leaves appear.

How long do sunflower shoots take to grow?

Sunflower shoots take 8-12 days from seed to harvest in our indoor farm. The large seed soaks 8-12 hours in RO-filtered water before seeding. For comparison, seed suppliers publish 7-10 days in True Leaf Market's guide. By that supplier window it is the 6th fastest of the 18 varieties we grow. Our full growing process is on our process page.

How do chefs use sunflower shoots?

Chefs use sunflower shoots in salads, grain bowls, sandwiches and as a substantial bed under proteins. Their sturdiness makes them ideal for high-volume service where a fragile microgreen would wilt. In our wholesale program they are best for volume salads, bowls and texture. They are available year-round on a standing weekly order, on their own or as part of a custom blend with other varieties from our catalog of 20.

How long do sunflower shoots last after delivery?

Sunflower shoots keep 7-10 days, like most of our varieties, when refrigerated at 34-38°F in sealed packaging and kept away from ethylene-producing produce. They are clean-cut with sanitized blades and in cold storage within 45 minutes of harvest, so orders typically arrive with 5-10 days of shelf life remaining.

How do I order sunflower shoots wholesale?

Order through a MicrogreenUSA wholesale account. The minimum is 5 lbs per week for a single restaurant, and sunflower shoots can be packed in 2, 4 or 8 oz anti-fog clamshells, 1-5 lb vacuum-sealed bulk pouches or uncut living trays. Southeast USA accounts get deliveries on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and we reply to applications within 24 business hours.

Do sunflower microgreen seeds need soaking?

True Leaf Market's grow guide for Sunflower - Black Oil - Microgreens Seeds (Helianthus annuus) calls for a pre-soak (Yes, 3-6 hours in cold water), then lists an unstated germination and 7-10 days to harvest. Our farm sets its own soak times by seed size; the schedule is on our process page.