Setup & Assembly

Kit Setup Guide

Everything you need to build your stand, plant your seed, and grow your living grass display—start to finish.

What's in your kit

Everything included in your Green In A Cup kit:

  • Holder hardware & toolsBase, 3 legs, ring, spray bottle & watering bulb
  • Cup & custom soil mix
  • Premium grass seed
  • Grow light fixture
  • Lamp shade
  • Grow light bulb
  • Light timer

Assembly & growing guide

Follow these steps to build your stand and get your green growing.

  1. 1

    Unbox your kit

    Remove all the items from the kit and lay them out so you can see everything you’ve got.

  2. 2

    Attach the legs to the base

    Take the base and attach each of the 3 legs to it. Insert the legs so the arch of each leg curves outward.

  3. 3

    Add the ring to finish the holder

    Once all 3 legs are connected to the base, set the ring on top of the legs to fully assemble the cup holder.

  4. 4

    Assemble the light

    Take out the light fixture and unbox the included bulb. Slide the lamp shade over the top of the fixture, then screw the bulb into the fixture — the bulb holds the shade in place.

  5. 5

    Clamp the light to the base

    Position the fixture so the clamp can grab the back of the base, with the light hanging out over the cup holder. Then clamp the fixture onto the base.

  6. 6

    Add the soil

    Take the provided soil out of the bag and pour it into the cup. Level it gently so the top sits about 0.2 inch (5 mm) from the rim — don’t compact it. The kit includes a little extra soil, so don’t worry if you have some left over — just fill to that line and save the rest for topping off later.

  7. 7

    Sow the seed

    Spread the seed evenly across the top of the soil so it completely covers the surface. Aim for a thin, even layer. Tip: snip a small corner off the seed bag to make a spout, or tap a little seed into your palm and sprinkle by the pinch — pouring straight from the bag tends to release seed in clumps and waves instead of an even layer.

  8. 8

    Lightly cover the seed

    Dust a little of the remaining soil over the seed — just barely, enough to lightly cover it without burying it. The seed wants contact with the soil, not burial.

  9. 9

    Mist the soil

    Use the provided spray bottle to mist the top of the soil. Hold the bottle back at first so the spray doesn’t displace the seed and soil, then move closer as the surface dampens to make sure the top layer gets thoroughly wet. Keep it slightly damp until the grass begins to sprout.

  10. 10

    Place the cup in the holder

    Once the top layer of soil is evenly damp, set the cup back into the holder. To take the cup out later, lift off the entire ring and remove the cup with it — don’t pull the cup out on its own. Never touch the light while moving the cup: it gets hot during use and can cause burns.

  11. 11

    Light & watering schedule

    Leave the grow light off for about the first 6 days, or until you start to see the seeds sprouting. In the meantime, mist the soil every few hours — at least twice a day — so the top layer never dries out. Once the grass is up and about ½ inch tall, switch from misting to slowly pouring water onto the grass so it soaks deep into the soil — stop as soon as the lower part of the cup darkens, so water never runs out the bottom. Continue this staged watering while the roots develop into an established grass mat; then transition to the watering bulb as described below. Never leave the soil submerged or allow standing water to collect. The grow light has a built-in timer with 4-, 8-, and 12-hour cycle settings — press the timer button to select one, and it runs that on/off cycle automatically every day. We recommend the 12-hour cycle for a dense, healthy green.

💧 Quick watering & light schedule

Keep this handy for the first couple of weeks — an at-a-glance reminder you can leave beside your cup.

WhenGrow lightWatering
Days 1–6Before sproutingKeep the grow light OFFMist the surface 2–3× a day with the spray bottle — never let the top layer dry out
Days ~6–10Sprouts appearTurn the light ON — 12-hour timer cycleKeep misting about 2× a day
Grass ~½ in tallRooting deeperLight ON, 12 hrs a daySwitch to slowly pouring water onto the grass for a deep soak — stop the moment the lower cup darkens, so nothing runs out the bottom
Established grass matRoots have filled inLight ON, 12 hrs a dayTransition to the watering bulb. Check the cup closely during the first uses and do not allow water to pool or drain from the cup
OngoingEstablishedLight ON, 12 hrs a dayCheck the soil and cup regularly. Refill the bulb only as needed, and remove it if water begins collecting or draining. Trim to 1–2 in.

How to use the watering bulb

This bulb isn't a push-in type — you fill it and let gravity do the work. Slowly add water through the opening at the bottom of the neck until the round part of the bulb is full. Then quickly turn it upside down, large round end facing up, so the water can fall down the neck toward the grass. From there gravity naturally releases the water down the neck and waters the grass. Use the bulb only after the roots have developed into an established grass mat. Check the soil and cup regularly, refill only as needed, and remove the bulb if water begins pooling or draining from the cup. If it empties immediately or no water releases, remove it and contact support@greeninacup.com before continuing.

Avoid these common mistakes

  • Do not pack the soil tightly.
  • Do not let the seeded surface dry out during germination.
  • Do not leave the soil submerged or allow standing water to collect.
  • Do not begin the grow light before sprouts appear.
  • Do not place the kit beside sensitive electronics or on a surface that cannot tolerate moisture.
  • Do not touch the bulb while it is hot or trim the grass below the recommended height.

That's it — now watch it grow! 🌱

With a little light and the staged watering schedule above, your cup can fill in with lush, real grass over the next few weeks. Before long you'll have your own premium living grass display — just like this. Enjoy!

⚠️ Grow-Light Safety Warnings

Please read these carefully before using the grow light.

  1. The product is suitable for indoor plant cultivation scenarios.
  2. Read the user guide thoroughly before first use. Follow all the safety instructions and information.
  3. Do not cover the light source panel, e.g., with paper or textiles.
  4. Risk of burns! Do not touch the bulb during use.
  5. Ensure the voltage given on the rating label or in the instruction manual complies with the power supply.
  6. Do not stare at the operating light source or direct the beam at other people or animals to prevent eye damage.
  7. Install the product according to the intended use and as described in this manual.
  8. Do not install/place the product in adverse ambient conditions or in rooms where heat sources, hot steam, corrosive gas, flammable gas, vapors, or dust are present.
  9. The operating ambient temperature of the product is 14–104°F; store the product and its accessories under -4–140°F. Do not use the product under conditions with extremely high or low temperatures.
  10. For indoor use only! Do not expose the product to rain or wet conditions.
  11. Do not assemble/install the product under live conditions.
  12. The light source of the bulb is not replaceable. When the light source reaches the end of life, the whole bulb should be replaced.

Questions or something looks off? Get in touch — we're happy to help.