Sowing seeds in a seed tray is the best way to start off many desirable garden plants, including vegetables, flowers, and herbs. When you’re buying, you’ll discover simple and economical trays as well as more sophisticated choices with domes, vents, and more to optimize growing conditions, plus there are different cell sizes available. Take a look at our selection of the top designs.
Jump Start CK64050 germination station
Space saver
Start seeds off indoors year-round in this seed tray. It’s designed with 72 cells in which the seedlings can grow, and has a vented dome that helps maintain the correct level of humidity for germination and early growth, plus a watertight base tray. A heat mat is included, too, to provide the right conditions.
Coconut Oasis seedling starter trays
Professional grade
If you’re looking for a simple seed tray design to stock up on, check out this collection which provides 1,440 cells in total in six cell trays. They’re made from plastic and have drainage holes. Each cell measures 1.5 inches square by 2.25 inches deep. You’ll get ten plastic plant labels as well.
MIXC seedling starter tray
Clear view
Want to be able to see how the roots of your seedlings are developing? The transparent plastic of this seed tray kit lets you view them clearly. The set includes ten seed trays along with watertight base trays, and humidity domes to go with them. The adjustable vents of the latter allow you to regulate temperature and humidity.
AAAmercantile seed starter trays
Six cells
Create room for seedlings to develop larger root balls with this seed tray design. That way, they’ll have a great start when you transplant them. Each cell in these six cell trays is 3 inches deep to provide growing room. They’re made from lightweight, flexible plastic to make de-potting easy.
IUMÉ seed starter kit
Great for flowers and herbs
With ten seed trays of 72 cells each in this kit, you can sow a whole lot of seeds for planting out later. They have drainage holes in the base, but they don’t come with a bottom tray or a dome for the top. The cells are tapered to make removing the seedlings easy.
Mr Sprout & Co seed starting kit
Peat pots
Opt for this kit and along with two seed trays, you’ll get 10 peat strips with five of them fitting into each tray. When the seedlings are ready to go into the ground they can be planted in their biodegradable pots, making the process easier and quicker. It avoids possible root damage, too.
Our verdict
Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Give your plants a healthy beginning by sowing seeds in a tray. Create the best conditions with the Jump Start CK64050 germination station. As well as a 72 cell tray, there’s a vented dome, watertight base tray, and a heating mat to provide the optimum conditions for the new plants.
The MIXC seedling starter tray is cleverly designed with clear plastic cells so you can check the root growth of the seedlings without disturbing them, and you’ll get base trays and humidity domes along with the ten seed trays. Alternatively, give newly planted seeds the opportunity to develop large root balls with the deep cells of the AAAmercantile seed starter trays.
