Fix leggy, tall microgreens by lowering your lights

Tall, spindly microgreens with thin stems that fall over are etiolated — stretching toward insufficient light. This is purely a lighting problem and is easy to fix.

The Fix

• Move lights to 15-20 cm above the tray canopy
• Increase light duration to 14-16 hours per day
• If using a windowsill, supplement with an LED panel

Why It Happens

Microgreens grow toward the strongest light source. When light is too far away, too dim, or too brief, stems elongate rapidly trying to reach it. The plant puts all its energy into stem length instead of leaf development and thickness.

Tips

• Leggy greens are still safe to eat — they're just less sturdy and visually appealing
• Rotate trays 180° daily if using a window to prevent one-directional leaning
• The weighted blackout method during days 1-4 also helps build stem thickness before light exposure