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Top 10 List

10 Best Fast-Growing Vegetables

Why wait months when you can harvest in weeks? These quick-maturing vegetables deliver results fast - from 7-day microgreens to 60-day cherry tomatoes. Perfect for impatient gardeners, short growing seasons, and building quick wins.

Each vegetable is ranked by speed, with detailed timing information and tips for maximizing your quick harvests. Succession plant these crops for continuous production.

7-65

Days to harvest

4-12

Crops per year possible

2-10"

Container depth range

9/10

Easy to grow

Harvest Timeline

Under 2 Weeks

Microgreens (7-14 days)

2-4 Weeks

Radishes, Green Onions, Baby Lettuce

4-6 Weeks

Arugula, Spinach, Cilantro, Bok Choy

6-10 Weeks

Bush Beans, Cherry Tomatoes

Quick Navigation

1Microgreens7-14 days2Radishes22-30 days3Baby Lettuce21-30 days4Green Onions (Scallions)21-30 days from sets5Arugula25-40 days6Spinach25-45 days7Cilantro21-30 days8Bush Beans45-60 days9Bok Choy30-45 days (baby)10Cherry Tomatoes (Early Varieties)50-65 days
1

Microgreens

7-14 days

Very Easy

Days to Harvest

7-14 days

Speed Rating

Extremely Fast

Container Size

2-3 inch deep trays

Success Rate

Very High

The fastest food you can grow, microgreens are harvested at the cotyledon stage when they're just 1-3 inches tall. They pack intense nutrition and flavor, contain up to 40x the nutrients of mature plants, and grow on any sunny windowsill.

Why It Made The List

Nothing else comes close to microgreens for speed. Harvest in 7-14 days from seeding, year-round indoors, with minimal equipment. Perfect for impatient gardeners and those who want quick, tangible results.

Yield Potential

Multiple harvests per month possible

Growing Tips

  • Sow seeds densely - no spacing needed
  • Keep surface moist until germination
  • Harvest when first true leaves appear
  • Try sunflower, pea shoots, radish, or mixed blends

Compared to Alternatives

Sprouts are even faster (3-5 days) but don't require soil. Baby greens take 21-30 days. Full vegetables obviously take much longer.

Read complete growing guide
2

Radishes

22-30 days

Very Easy

Days to Harvest

22-30 days

Speed Rating

Very Fast

Container Size

6 inch depth, any width

Success Rate

Very High

The fastest root vegetable, radishes go from seed to harvest in under a month. Their compact size allows tight spacing, and the quick turnaround enables multiple crops per season even in short growing windows.

Why It Made The List

Radishes are the classic beginner vegetable for good reason. Virtually foolproof, incredibly fast, and satisfying to pull from the soil. Kids love watching them grow.

Yield Potential

8-12 radishes per square foot every 3-4 weeks

Growing Tips

  • Thin to 2 inches apart for proper root development
  • Consistent moisture prevents woody, spicy roots
  • Harvest promptly - oversized radishes become pithy
  • Sow new seeds every 2 weeks for continuous harvest

Compared to Alternatives

Turnips produce more food but take longer (35-60 days). Baby carrots need deeper containers and 50+ days. Beets require more space and time (50-70 days).

Read complete growing guide
3

Baby Lettuce

21-30 days

Very Easy

Days to Harvest

21-30 days

Speed Rating

Very Fast

Container Size

4-6 inch depth

Success Rate

Very High

Harvest lettuce at baby leaf stage (2-3 inches) rather than waiting for full heads. Cut-and-come-again harvesting provides multiple pickings from one planting, with new leaves ready every 7-10 days.

Why It Made The List

Baby lettuce combines speed with ongoing production. Start harvesting in 3 weeks, then continue cutting for 4-6 weeks or more. Shallow containers mean it fits anywhere.

Yield Potential

Continuous harvest for 6-8 weeks per planting

Growing Tips

  • Cut leaves at 2-3 inches, leaving growing point
  • New leaves regrow for 4-6 additional harvests
  • Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous salads
  • Afternoon shade prevents bolting in warm weather

Compared to Alternatives

Full head lettuce takes 45-65 days. Mesclun mixes offer variety at similar speed. Spinach baby leaves are slightly slower (25-35 days).

Read complete growing guide
4

Green Onions (Scallions)

21-30 days from sets

Very Easy

Days to Harvest

21-30 days from sets

Speed Rating

Fast

Container Size

6 inch depth, any width

Success Rate

Extremely High

Perhaps the most satisfying quick crop - regrow green onions from kitchen scraps in just 2-3 weeks. Plant the root ends in soil or water, and watch them regenerate. Each root section can be cut and regrown multiple times.

Why It Made The List

Free vegetables from kitchen scraps, ready in weeks, regrowing indefinitely. The ultimate quick win for beginning gardeners and an easy project for teaching kids.

Yield Potential

Continuous harvest from same roots for months

Growing Tips

  • Regrow from store-bought scraps - place roots in water or soil
  • Cut tops for harvest - they regrow multiple times
  • Can be planted very close together
  • Start new scraps to maintain steady supply

Compared to Alternatives

Regular onions need 90-120 days. Chives are perennial but slower to establish. Leeks require 80-120 days.

Read complete growing guide
5

Arugula

25-40 days

Easy

Days to Harvest

25-40 days

Speed Rating

Fast

Container Size

4-6 inch depth

Success Rate

High

This peppery salad green grows incredibly fast and can be harvested at baby leaf stage even sooner. Its distinctive flavor makes small quantities impactful, so even quick partial harvests add punch to salads.

Why It Made The List

Arugula's strong flavor means even small early harvests are worthwhile. Baby leaves ready in 25 days, cut-and-come-again harvesting extends production, and it thrives in cool weather when gardens are just starting.

Yield Potential

3-4 cuttings per planting over 6-8 weeks

Growing Tips

  • Baby leaves ready in 25 days
  • Cut-and-come-again for multiple harvests
  • Bolt-resistant varieties extend harvest in heat
  • Shade moderates peppery flavor

Compared to Alternatives

Lettuce is milder but similar speed. Mustard greens are spicier, same timing. Watercress is aquatic but comparable speed.

Read complete growing guide
6

Spinach

25-45 days

Easy

Days to Harvest

25-45 days

Speed Rating

Fast

Container Size

6 inch depth

Success Rate

High

Baby spinach leaves are ready in under a month, with cut-and-come-again harvesting providing ongoing production. One of the most nutritious vegetables you can grow, spinach thrives in cool weather when other crops struggle.

Why It Made The List

Combines exceptional nutrition with quick harvests. Baby leaves start at 25 days, and cool weather tolerance means it can produce when little else will. Outstanding value for container space.

Yield Potential

Multiple cuttings over 4-6 weeks per planting

Growing Tips

  • Baby leaf harvest starts at 25 days
  • Cut-and-come-again extends production
  • Grows best in cool weather - spring and fall
  • Partial shade helps in warm weather

Compared to Alternatives

Lettuce matures similarly but is less nutritious. Swiss chard is more heat-tolerant but slower. Kale takes longer (50+ days).

Read complete growing guide
7

Cilantro

21-30 days

Moderate

Days to Harvest

21-30 days

Speed Rating

Fast

Container Size

6-8 inch pot

Success Rate

Moderate

Cilantro grows remarkably fast in cool weather, reaching harvest size in 3-4 weeks. Its quick bolting in heat is actually a feature for fast growers - succession plant frequently for continuous supply.

Why It Made The List

While cilantro's fast bolting frustrates some gardeners, quick growers can embrace it. Plant often, harvest young, and let some go to seed for free coriander spice.

Yield Potential

Quick harvest but short window per planting

Growing Tips

  • Direct sow - doesn't transplant well
  • Succession plant every 2-3 weeks
  • Harvest young for best flavor
  • Let some bolt for coriander seeds

Compared to Alternatives

Parsley takes longer (45-90 days) but lasts longer. Slow-bolt varieties extend harvest slightly. Dill is similarly fast-bolting.

Read complete growing guide
8

Bush Beans

45-60 days

Easy

Days to Harvest

45-60 days

Speed Rating

Moderately Fast

Container Size

8-10 inch depth, 12+ inch wide

Success Rate

High

Among the fastest vegetables to produce actual vegetable pods (not just leaves), bush beans mature in under two months. They're also among the most productive - a few plants provide pounds of beans.

Why It Made The List

Bush beans are the fastest path to significant vegetable harvests rather than just garnishes. 45-60 days from seed to pounds of beans, with no support structures needed.

Yield Potential

1/2 lb per plant over 2-3 week harvest window

Growing Tips

  • Direct sow - beans don't transplant well
  • Harvest frequently to encourage production
  • Water at soil level to prevent disease
  • Succession plant for extended harvest

Compared to Alternatives

Pole beans yield more but need support and take longer. Peas mature similarly but prefer cool weather. Edamame takes 75-90 days.

Read complete growing guide
9

Bok Choy

30-45 days (baby)

Easy

Days to Harvest

30-45 days (baby)

Speed Rating

Fast

Container Size

6-8 inch depth

Success Rate

High

Baby bok choy matures in about a month, making it one of the fastest Asian greens. Its tender stems and mild flavor work in stir-fries, soups, and raw in salads. Cool weather crops thrive in spring and fall.

Why It Made The List

Baby bok choy provides quick harvests of a versatile vegetable that works raw or cooked. Faster than most cabbage family members, it adds variety to quick-harvest gardens.

Yield Potential

Quick single harvest or extended cut-and-come-again

Growing Tips

  • Harvest baby heads at 4-6 inches
  • Cut-and-come-again with outer leaves
  • Grows best in cool weather
  • Bolts quickly in heat - time plantings carefully

Compared to Alternatives

Regular cabbage takes 70-100 days. Napa cabbage is similar speed. Other Asian greens like tatsoi are comparable.

Read complete growing guide
10

Cherry Tomatoes (Early Varieties)

50-65 days

Easy

Days to Harvest

50-65 days

Speed Rating

Moderately Fast

Container Size

5-7 gallons

Success Rate

High

While most tomatoes take 70-90+ days, early cherry varieties like Sun Gold and Super Sweet 100 produce fruit in under 60 days from transplant. They're also the most productive tomatoes per square foot.

Why It Made The List

The fastest path to homegrown tomatoes - that transformative taste of sun-ripened fruit. Early cherry varieties satisfy the tomato craving weeks before larger varieties mature.

Yield Potential

100-300+ tomatoes per plant over season

Growing Tips

  • Start with transplants to save 6-8 weeks
  • Choose early-maturing varieties specifically
  • Consistent watering prevents splitting
  • Feed weekly once fruiting begins

Compared to Alternatives

Full-sized slicing tomatoes take 70-90+ days. Determinate types concentrate harvest. Paste tomatoes are typically slower.

Read complete growing guide

Succession Planting Schedule

Maximize these fast crops by succession planting - sowing new seeds as you harvest. Here's a sample schedule:

CropSow IntervalContainers Rotating
MicrogreensEvery 5-7 days2-3 trays
RadishesEvery 2 weeks2-3 containers
Lettuce/GreensEvery 2-3 weeks3-4 containers
Bush BeansEvery 3 weeks2-3 containers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest vegetable to grow?

Microgreens are the fastest, ready to harvest in 7-14 days from seeding. Among more traditional vegetables, radishes (22-30 days) and green onions (21-30 days) are the quickest. Baby lettuce and arugula can be harvested at 21-25 days. For substantial vegetables (not just leaves), bush beans at 45-60 days are among the fastest.

How can I speed up vegetable growth?

Start with transplants instead of seeds to save weeks. Choose varieties bred for quick maturity (look for 'early' in the name). Provide optimal conditions - full sun, consistent water, and appropriate fertilizer. Use season-extension techniques like row covers or cloches to warm soil earlier. Succession plant to always have young, fast-growing plants.

What vegetables grow in 30 days or less?

Microgreens (7-14 days), radishes (22-30 days), green onions (21-30 days), baby lettuce (21-30 days), arugula (25-40 days baby), and baby spinach (25-35 days) all can produce harvestable food in a month or less. These quick crops are ideal for succession planting and short growing seasons.

Which fast-growing vegetables are best for beginners?

Radishes are the classic beginner crop - fast, nearly foolproof, and satisfying to harvest. Lettuce and spinach are also excellent as they're forgiving and provide cut-and-come-again harvests. Green onions regrown from scraps require almost no skill. These build confidence quickly before tackling longer-season crops.

Can I grow fast vegetables in small containers?

Yes, many fast-growing vegetables are perfectly suited for small containers. Microgreens need just 2-3 inch trays. Radishes, lettuce, spinach, and arugula grow in 4-6 inch deep containers. Green onions thrive in any small pot. Only bush beans and tomatoes on this list need larger 5+ gallon containers.

How do I plan succession planting for continuous harvests?

Sow small amounts of quick crops every 2-3 weeks rather than all at once. This ensures continuous harvests rather than feast-or-famine cycles. Keep several containers at different growth stages. As you harvest one batch, the next is approaching maturity. This works especially well for radishes, lettuce, and greens.

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