Helianthus annuus
Sunflower microgreens are the gateway green — the one that converts skeptics into daily snippers. Grown from black oil sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus), these thick-stemmed, cotyledon-stage greens deliver a satisfying crunch that holds up in warm dishes, grain bowls, and avocado toast alike.
At ChefPax, sunflower is our flagship crop. Each 10×20 live tray is seeded at 10–12 oz and harvested in 8–10 days when the cotyledons have fully opened and the flavor is at its peak — nutty, crisp, and lightly sweet. We deliver the tray to you with the roots still alive, so you snip what you need and the rest stays farm-fresh for days.
In Austin's food scene, sunflower microgreens have become a go-to for home cooks who want a nutrient-dense ingredient that doesn't require a culinary degree to use well. They're equally at home on a Friday-night grain bowl as they are on a Sunday brunch plate.
Sunflower microgreens taste nutty and crisp with a lightly sweet finish — similar to sunflower seeds but fresher and more delicate. The thick, crunchy stem adds real texture that wilts far less than baby spinach or arugula when placed on warm food. This makes sunflower the ideal microgreen for avocado toast, where you want a green that holds its shape.
Sunflower microgreens are dense in vitamin E, B vitamins (including folate), and plant-based protein. They contain all nine essential amino acids, making them one of the few greens that contribute meaningfully to protein intake. They're also a good source of zinc and selenium — minerals that are often lacking in plant-heavy diets.
For a deeper look at vitamins and phytonutrients studied across varieties, see the microgreens nutrition guide.
Your ChefPax sunflower tray arrives with living roots still active. Keep it in a bright spot (not direct harsh sun) at room temperature. Snip what you need with clean scissors — cut about an inch above the mat. The remaining greens stay alive and continue to be ready for 5–7 more days after delivery. No bags, no wilting, no waste.
Full storage tips — container types, fridge placement, and shelf life by crop — are in the microgreens storage guide.
8 min
Creamy avocado topped with nutty sunflower microgreens for the perfect breakfast.
15 min
Crispy-skinned salmon with nutty sunflower microgreens and a bright lemon-caper sauce.
A live ChefPax sunflower tray stays fresh for 5–7 days after delivery when kept at room temperature in indirect light. Snip what you need and the roots keep the rest fresh — no refrigerator required.
Yes — sunflower microgreens are commonly eaten raw and are a popular garnish for that reason. Just rinse the snipped greens briefly under cool water before using them.
ChefPax delivers live trays, not pre-cut bags. Every tray is seeded in Manor, TX and arrives within 0–48 hours of being harvest-ready. You snip as needed — which means you're never eating greens that sat in a bag for a week.
