How It Works
From unboxing to your first trim in four simple steps.
Open Your Kit
Everything is in the box—the cup, display stand, grow light, timer, custom soil portion, pre-measured seed, spray bottle, and watering bulb.
- Pick a spot near an outlet for the grow light
- Set the display stand where you'll enjoy it daily
Add the Custom Soil Mix
Fill the cup with the included custom soil mix. Leave about 0.2 inch (5 mm) from the top.
- You may have a little extra — just fill to about 0.2" from the top and save the rest
- Level it gently; don't compact it
Sprinkle Your Seeds
Scatter your premium grass seed evenly across the surface. Lightly press it into the soil — it wants contact, not burial.
- Snip a small corner off the seed bag for a controlled sprinkle — tipping the bag can dump seed in clumps
- A thin, even layer is better than a thick one
Mist, Grow & Trim
Mist the surface so it stays damp. Keep the light off for about six days or until sprouts appear, then use the included 12-hour timer cycle.
- Initial sprouts typically appear around days 6–10
- Follow the Setup Guide as the master care schedule
- Begin trimming once blades reach 1–2 inches; growing times vary
Watch the First Week Take Shape
This photographed grow shows how quickly a cup can change when moisture, temperature, and light conditions come together.
Growing times vary. This is one photographed result, not a guaranteed schedule. Many cups will sprout around days 6–10 and take longer to fill in.
See the complete Setup Guide →Ongoing Care
Watering
Mist during germination, deep-water once the grass is about ½ inch tall, then move to the watering bulb when the grass mat begins holding water.
Light
Keep the light off for about the first six days, or until sprouts appear. Then use the included timer on its 12-hour daily cycle.
Trimming
Once blades reach 1–2 inches, trim with small scissors. Avoid removing too much height in one cut.
Temperature
Grass prefers 60–75°F. Avoid cold drafts and heat sources near your cup.
How difficult is it?
No gardening experience is required, but this is a living plant. It needs steady moisture, daily light after germination, and occasional trimming.
This page gives you the big picture. When you're ready to get growing, our Setup Guide walks you through assembly, planting, watering, lighting, and safety step by step.
See the step-by-step guide →What to Expect
No—it's a real growing hobby. With suitable light, watering, trimming, and indoor conditions, a cup may remain healthy for several months. Individual results vary.
Green In A Cup is designed for indoor use only. Place it near a standard outlet on a stable, water-resistant surface.
Initial sprouts typically appear around days 6–10. Allow another 2–3 weeks of growth and a few trims for a fuller putting-green appearance. Growing times vary.