Are you thinking about upgrading your seed starting setup? Reusable seed starting trays are a great way to start.
Reusable trays are durable and easy to clean. Not to mention, they’ll last you for many seasons to come!
Calling all new and repeat gardeners alike. You can’t go wrong with one of these six choices for the best reusable seed starting trays.
Let’s dive in!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hoss 48-Cell Seed Starting Kit
Reusable Silicon Trays:
Sili-Seedlings Seed Starter Tray
For Small-Gardens:
Hoss 12-Cell Seed Starting Trays
Best Overall
Hoss 48-Cell Seed Starting Kit
Hoss’ 48-Cell Seed Starting Kit is my top pick for the best reusable seed starting trays. Hoss is known for their well-made products, and this kit is no exception.
The kit includes two 24-cell trays, two bottom trays, two humidity domes, fertilizer, seed starting mix, and labels.
The seed starting trays are constructed from durable plastic. When you’re done with them, simply spray them clean or throw them on the top shelf of your dishwasher.
The bottom trays and humidity domes are made to fit the seed starting trays. It’s a great setup if you enjoy starting a small garden every year.
They even supply Sun-Gro seed starting mix. So, all you need to invest in is your favorite vegetable or flower seeds.
Pros:
- Constructed from durable materials
- Dishwasher safe
- Comprehensive kit
Cons:
- Pricier than other brands
Best Silicone Trays
Sili-Seedlings Seed Starter Tray
If you’re a fan of silicone trays, Sili-Seedlings Seed Starter Trays are hard to beat. They are constructed entirely of BPA-free, food-grade silicone.
Each cell measures two inches by two inches. So, you’re getting the same room as a typical plastic seed tray. The cells also feature a wide slot for drainage.
Sili-Seedlings Trays are dishwasher-safe and made to last for many years.
One of the coolest features of these reusable seed starting trays is the labeling. You can write on the side of the trays with a dry-erase marker. After the growing season, the writing can easily be removed with rubbing alcohol.
The trays come in several colors, including green, blue, orange, brown, and black. So, you can match your personal style or organize your seeds by color.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to label
- Great for transplanting
Cons:
- Bundles only come with 12 cells total
Best for Small Gardens
Hoss 12-Cell Seed Starting Trays
Do you have a small garden or raised bed you like to fill every year? Hoss’ 12-Cell Seed Starting Trays are a solid choice. The bundle includes two 12-cell trays, so you’ll be able to start 24 seedlings at once.
Like Hoss’ other trays, these are made from hard plastic. And they’re dishwasher safe once you’re finished with them.
Each tray comes with a bottom tray to make watering from underneath easier. Just fill the bottom tray with water, and the seedlings will wick the moisture through the root system.
They also come with humidity domes to help with germination. These trays are great to try with slow-growing or cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, kale, or cabbage.
I recommend these reusable seed starting trays if you want to try Hoss’ products without a large investment.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Cost-friendly
- Good for small gardens
Cons:
- None
Burpee SuperSeed Seed Starter Tray
Burpee’s SuperSeed Seed Starter Trays are great for transplanting. Each tray is made from hard plastic and silicone.
To remove the seedling for transplant, all you have to do is flex the silicone cell. And it’ll pop back into place! This means less damage to your seedlings and the tray.
The silicone cells also have multiple holes for improved drainage. Once the season is over, Burpee SuperSeed Trays can be placed in the dishwasher or washed by hand.
Burpee offers multiple sizes in these trays. You can purchase them in eight, 16, or 32-cell capacities.
These colorful reusable seed starting trays also make great gifts for your favorite gardeners. They’ll be able to use them for many years. And, best of all, they’re budget-friendly.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Great for transplanting
- Cost-friendly
Cons:
- None
Hoss 338-Cell Seed Starting Tray
Hoss’ 338-Cell Seed Starting Tray is ideal for commercial gardeners or those who grow a large garden. The tray only measures 26″ x 13″ total, so it’s perfect for a standard tabletop.
Of course, these reusable seed starting trays are made with the same hard plastic that Hoss is known for.
Since the tray probably won’t fit in your dishwasher, it’s best to spray it out or hand wash it. But it’s easy to lay out and dry in the sun.
Each cell features vertical ribs that are designed to encourage downward root growth. This is to help prevent rootbound seedlings.
The only possible downside of this tray is removing seedlings for transplant. It would be hard to tilt the whole tray to remove seedlings. So, I suggest investing in a transplanting tool to remove seedlings without causing any damage.
Pros:
- Good for large gardens
- Constructed from durable materials
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons:
- May need a transplanting tool to remove seedlings
MIXC Seed Starter Trays
MIXC Seed Starter Trays are the best budget option for reusable seed starting trays. This bundle includes 120 cells in total, but the price is comparable to all the other choices listed here.
You receive ten trays total with 12 cells each. Each tray comes with a bottom tray and humidity dome. The humidity dome even includes an adjustable vent to let out moisture as needed.
The seed starting trays are clear, so you can watch the roots as they develop!
Everything is hand-washable. And the bottom trays and humidity domes are especially good to reuse. If you end up damaging your seed starting trays, you can always reorder reusable refills to fit into the other trays.
These trays may not be as long-lasting as the Hoss or Burpee trays listed. But, it’s a good investment for first-time gardeners.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Includes a good amount of trays
- Tray refills are easy to reorder
Cons:
- May not be as durable as other reusable trays
Reusable Seed Starting Trays Buyers Guide
Materials Used
When shopping for reusable seed starting trays, it’s good to know what material to search for. If a tray is truly reusable, it will typically be either durable plastic or silicone.
Durable plastic trays are often more budget-friendly than silicone. They are easy to wash and can even be dishwasher-safe. This is a good route if you plan on starting many vegetable and flower seeds.
Silicone trays tend to be higher in price. But they make transplanting a breeze. All you have to do is flex the tray, and it’ll return to its original shape.
Size and Capacity
When it comes to reusable seed starting trays, almost no two products are alike. You’ll find trays that house six cells to 338.
Depending on the size of your garden, you may not need many trays. But if you’re a commercial gardener, large-capacity trays are a must.
The width of the cells also varies. They are often between 1.5″ and 2.5″ in width.
If you are starting fast-growing, warm-season vegetables, look for larger-width cells. This will give you more room before having to pot up your seedlings.
Included Accessories
Many reusable seed starting trays come bundled with other seed starting supplies. If you don’t have all you need yet, look for a seed starting kit.
You’ll often find reusable seed starting trays combined with bottom trays, humidity domes, labels, and even seed starting mix.
FAQs on Reusable Seed Starting Trays
1. What is the best way to remove seedlings from trays?
Removing seedlings can be tricky. If you struggle with not damaging your seedlings, try the silicone reusable seed starting trays. You can simply push them up from the bottom without squeezing the seedling.
If you’re using a plastic tray that doesn’t flex, use a transplanting tool or widger to remove the seedling. I recommend never pulling up on a seedling to remove it. Seedlings are more fragile than you might think, and you could pull the plant from its roots.
2. How do I clean my reusable seed starting trays?
If your reusable seed starting tray isn’t dishwasher safe, use soap and warm water to clean it. If necessary, you can spray any stubborn dirt off the trays beforehand.
Make sure to lay your trays out in the sun afterward. They need to be fully dry before storing them for next year.
Wrapping Up the Best Reusable Seed Starting Trays
Investing in reusable seed starting trays is a smart move to save money. You’ll also be getting some of the highest-quality products! My top pick is Hoss’ 48-Cell Seed Starting Kit for its quality and included accessories.
To learn more about starting seeds indoors, visit the Seed Starting page on our website. We’ll go over everything you need to know about starting your favorite vegetables and flowers. You’ll be surprised how nice it is to get a jumpstart on the growing season!