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About Epic 6-Cell Seed Starting Trays
The Epic 6-Cell Seed Starting Tray is built tough with just the right amount of flexibility. It’s designed by real gardeners and made in the USA from high-strength recycled plastic that’s UV-treated and BPA-free. Each cell features air-pruning slots to stop root circling and encourage strong, healthy root systems. The open-bottom design adds additional airflow from below, giving your plants the best shot at thriving from the start.
These trays fit perfectly inside the Epic Universal Bottom Tray, allowing you to easily manage your seedlings as a full set or lift out a single unit. When it’s time to transplant, built-in finger holes make removal simple. Just push and place.
Built to Last: Made in the USA from high-strength recycled plastic. 500% thicker than standard trays.
Engineered for Plant Growth: Designed with air-pruning slots to create a strong, healthy root system.
Eco-Friendly: Made from 100% recycled plastic, this pot helps reduce plastic waste, supporting your sustainable gardening practices.
Convenient & Flexible: Fit 12 Epic 6-Cell Trays into a standard 1020 Universal Bottom Tray, replicating a classic 72-cell tray.
Smart Transplanting: Built-in finger holes make transplanting simple. Just push the seedling out. No tools required
Why We Love It
Built to Last: Made in the USA from UV-resistant, BPA-free, recycled plastic this sturdy 6-Cell Tray is designed for durability. It won’t crack or warp after one season. You'll be using it for years to come.
Root Health: Air-pruning slits and internal ribs encourage healthy, vibrant roots. The raised base allows water to drain freely while still promoting root pruning, preventing root rot, and helping your plants develop a stronger root system.
Versatility: From your favorite herbs to larger fruits and veggies, the 6-Cell Tray is a great all-around solution for any home gardener looking to start seeds. Plus, our trays, pots, domes, and heat mats all work together to build your ideal gardening setup.
Small & Stackable: Compact, lightweight, and stackable, when empty, this tray is easy to move, store, and use again, even in tiny spaces like window sills or countertops.
Specifications
Made and designed in the USA.
Material: High-strength, BPA-free, UV-protected recycled plastic.
Compatible with: 12 Epic 6-Cell Trays fit into 1 Epic Universal Bottom Tray.
Standard:
| Dimensions | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside tray dimensions | 4 15/16 in. | 3 5/16 in. | 2 1/2 in. |
| Individual cell dimensions | 1 9/16 in. | 1 9/16 in. | 2 1/4 in. |
Metric
| Dimensions | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside tray dimensions | 12.5 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Individual cell dimensions | 4 | 4 | 5.7 |
How to Use
How To Use Epic Cell Trays
- Fill your Epic Starter Cells with a seed-starting mix, adding just enough water to moisten the soil, but don’t waterlog it.
- If your seeds are meant to be surface-sown, press them against the pre-dampened soil but leave them uncovered; some seeds need light to germinate. If they have a planting depth indicated on the packet, use a pencil, chopstick, or your fingertip to make an indentation to the correct depth and drop in the seed.
- Add a light misting of water from a spray bottle or just enough to moisten the seeds, then cover them with soil and lightly press down to ensure no air holes remain around the seed.
- If you have plastic wrap handy, loosely drape it over the top of the pot to promote high humidity conditions (seeds love this), or use a specialized dome cover.
- Place your cells on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light, and keep the soil moist as the seeds begin to germinate. Once sprouts appear, remove the plastic wrap or dome cover.
- Keep the healthiest seedling and remove extras with a pair of scissors, being careful not to damage the healthy seedling.
- Continue to keep the soil moist as your plant grows. When it’s mature enough, easily pop out your starts and transplant them into larger pots or the garden.
Cleaning Your Epic Cell Trays
We recommend hand-washing with hot, soapy water as the best way to keep the material in good shape for years of use. A good dish detergent should sterilize the trays enough to protect seedlings.
For more information, check out some of our helpful blog & video content:
- Seed Starting Supplies and Equipment
- Starting Seeds Indoors
- Seed Starting Mix
- Best Seed Starting Mix
- Seeds Not Germinating
- How To Transplant Seedlings
- How to Bottom Water Seed Starts in 5 Easy Steps
- Seed Starting 101: 11 Tips to Get It Right
- Seed Starting for Beginners: Our Best Tips for Easy Growing
- My NEW Favorite Seed Starting Method
FAQ
Q: How long do Epic Seed Starting Trays last?
A: Epic Trays are rigid, yet flexible. They’re practically unbreakable and should last you a lifetime.
Q: Will the soil fall out of the tray?
A: As long as your mix is formulated properly, it won’t fall out. Each individual cell in our Epic Trays features an air-pruning side slot on all four corners to discourage root circling and encourage better root growth. The bottoms of each cell are also open, providing air pruning at the lower end of each cell.
Q: When should I transplant my seedlings?
A: Transplant your seedlings when they are 3 to 4 inches tall. To remove your plants, simply push the seedling out with your finger, then transplant them into your garden or a larger pot.
Q: Can I mix and match the trays and pots?
A: Yes, our Epic trays, domes, pots, and heat mats all work together so you can build your ideal gardening setup.
Have more questions? Don't hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden grow.
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
574 reviews
- HeatherRated 5 out of 5 stars9/26/265 Stars
These are great, going to order more
- Frances K.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars9/26/26I wish I was as successful as Jaque and Kevin. Gonna try again.
I wish I was as successful as Jaque and Kevin. I am envious of their starts. Can anyone suggest a perfect starting mix. I plan to try again. I grow under grow light indoors. Because I live in the dry desert. I really do like the excellent quality. They are made very well.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/29/26Hey Frances,
We're so happy to hear that you really like the excellent quality of the Epic 6-Cell Seed Starting Trays! We love your enthusiasm and we're rooting for you as you give it another try with your indoor grow light setup in the desert. If you prefer buying a ready-made option soil for seed starting, look for bags labeled specifically as "Seed Starting Mix" rather than "Potting Soil" or "Garden Soil." Espoma Organic Seed Starting Mix (Uses peat moss, perlite, and mycorrhizae) is a reliable option. Thanks so much for being part of the growing community! Keep on growing 🌻
- Kathy C.WA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/22/26Top to bottom perfect
I first saw on Epic Gardening the bottom push through plant hole … saver of roots… easer of my thumb health… water advantage of plant babies… thank you for well designed seed starting. kits
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - Frances K.Verified BuyerRated 3 out of 5 stars9/15/26Maybe it me
dries out fast on top seeds don't germinate well. Maybe it had to do with the hole in the tray, I don't know. I will get ones with domes next time. Had trouble with knats.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/25/26Hey Frances,
Thank you so much for your feedback. From your description, the seed starting mix that you are using may be either hydrophobic and is repelling water, is not properly retaining moisture, or it has not been watered often enough. It also sounds like your soil blend likely has gnat larvae of some type in it.
If you can contact our customer service team and indicate the brand and type of soil you are using, our horticulturist can provide additional guidance.
However, we normally recommend using a seed starting mix that has fine particle sizes, not a standard potting soil that may have larger chunky material in it like wood chunks or larger pieces of undecayed compost. Anything with larger material can create air pockets next to seeds, preventing germination.
We also recommend pre-moistening your seed starting mix before filling your trays to ensure it is holding all the water it is capable of holding. Once it's planted, water from the top until your seeds have germinated and reached at least a couple of inches tall.
When your seedling plants have grown root systems that reach down into the cell trays, you can bottom-water, but until the roots have formed and reached down far enough to reach lower moisture, you are reliant on your soil's ability to pull moisture to the top of the tray. If your soil is not able to wick moisture up far enough, top watering is necessary!
- CD G.VA, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/15/26Great trays
Durable and strong, large hole in the bottom to remove starts. Couldn’t imagine using anything else now.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed