Bigger Cells, Longer Hold Times
The 72 Cell Plug Tray is a rigid seedling tray with 72 individual 1.56" (3.96 cm) cells arranged in a 6 x 12 grid. Each cell holds its own plug of soil, giving every seedling a defined root zone so roots grow down instead of tangling sideways into their neighbours.
At 72 cells, this is the largest cell size in our plug tray lineup, ahead of the 98 Cell Plug Tray and 128 Cell Plug Tray. More soil per cell means each seedling has more room to root and more time in the tray before it needs to move on.
Sized at 21.00" x 11", the tray works on the standard 1020 footprint. For the best fit, set it on our 1020 Microgreen Tray - No Holes: it sits flat and stable. At transplant time, compact plugs slide out clean with the root ball intact, so seedlings move to their final home with minimal root disturbance and less transplant shock.
Why Plug Cells Beat Open Flats
Individual root zones. Seedlings started in open flats grow into a shared root mat that has to be torn apart at transplant. Plug cells keep every root system separate, so each seedling comes out whole.
Cleaner, faster transplanting. Gently squeeze the sides of each cell to loosen the roots from the cell wall, then a light push from below releases the entire plug. No digging, no root tearing, no untangling.
Efficient use of space and soil. Each cell holds a compact plug, so a full tray of 72 starts uses about 4-4.5 L of soil or Seed Starting Mix. The whole tray occupies one 1020 footprint under your lights or on your bench.
Who It's For
You can start just about anything from seed in a 72, but the larger 1.56" cell really earns its keep with seedlings that need room and time: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, melons, and bigger flowers and herbs that would outgrow a smaller plug before transplant weather arrives. It's also the format to reach for when your schedule is unpredictable, since seedlings can hold in these cells longer without getting root-bound.
Which plug tray to reach for really comes down to your goals and timing. If you want maximum starts per tray and plan to transplant quickly, our higher-density 128 Cell Plug Tray or 98 Cell Plug Tray fit more in the same footprint. The 72 trades count for capacity: fewer starts per tray, but each one gets a bigger root ball, a longer window in the cell, and often skips a potting-up step entirely.
Market gardeners and greenhouse growers use the 72 for warm-season transplants they want to hold until conditions are right; home growers use it to raise sturdy, garden-ready starts without babysitting the calendar.
How to Use
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Fill cells with pre-moistened seed-starting mix like our Seed Starting Mix and tap the tray to settle it. Each tray takes about 4-4.5 L of mix.
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Sow 1-2 seeds per cell at the depth the seed packet calls for.
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For germination, cover with our 2" Vented Humidity Dome or 7" Vented Humidity Dome; both fit the standard 1020 footprint.
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Once seedlings have their first true leaves and roots hold the plug together, gently squeeze the sides of each cell to loosen the roots from the cell wall, then push up from the base to release the plug for transplanting or potting up.
Rinse out well before use.
Specifications
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Cells: 72 (6 x 12 grid)
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Cell diameter (inside): 1.56" / 3.96 cm
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Length x width: 21.00" x 11.00" / 53.34 x 27.94 cm
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Height: 2.25" / 5.72 cm
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Capacity: 259.20 in³ (4.49 qt dry / 4.25 L liquid / approx. 4-4.5 L soil)
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Standard 1020 footprint; pairs with solid-bottom microgreen trays and humidity domes
Additional Tips
We find this plug tray sits flattest and sturdiest on our 1020 Microgreen Tray - No Holes. The solid bottom gives it stable, even support and catches any runoff.
Our Seed Starting Mix is designed to work excellently with plug trays. Its fine texture and small perlite, coconut coir, peat, and worm castings feed beneficial biology and hold the perfect moisture balance seeds need to germinate evenly and grow to their full potential.
