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About Epic 16-Cell Seed Starting Trays
The Epic 16-Cell 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 in the tray 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.
Keep all of your seedlings organized on one tray. Eight 16-Cell Trays fit perfectly inside one of our Epic Universal Bottom Trays, 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.
The 16-Cell Tray is ideal for starting seedlings without taking up much space. They’re crafted specifically for sowing green onions, herbs, greens, tomatoes, peppers, and brassicas.
Built to Last: Made in the USA from high-strength recycled plastic. 500% thicker than standard trays.
Eco-Friendly: Made from 100% recycled plastic, this pot helps reduce plastic waste, supporting your sustainable gardening practices.
Engineered for Plant Growth: Designed with air-pruning slots to create a strong, healthy root system.
Convenient and Flexible: Eight Epic 16-Cell Trays are designed to fit into a standard 1020 Universal Bottom Tray, replicating a classic 128-cell tray.
Smart Transplanting: Built-in finger holes make transplanting simple. Just push the seedling out. No tools required.
Why We Love It
Epic Exclusive Design: Designed and made by the Epic Gardening team, this extremely durable tray gives growers the space-saving power of a classic 128-cell tray, with the convenience of modularity, so you can remove each tray as needed.
Built to Last: Made in the USA from UV-resistant, BPA-free, recycled plastic this sturdy 16-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 16-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.
Specifications
Made & Designed in the USA
Material: High-strength, BPA-free, UV-protected, recycled plastic.
Compatible with: 8 Epic 16-Cell Trays fit into 1 Epic Universal Bottom Tray.
Volume: 1.3 cubic inches per cell.
Standard:
| Dimensions | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside tray dimensions | 5 in. | 5 in. | 1 5/8 in. |
| Individual cell dimensions | 1 1/16 in. | 1 1/16 in. | 1 5/8 in. |
Metric
| Dimensions | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside tray dimensions | 12.7 | 12.7 | 4.1 |
| Individual cell dimensions | 2.8 | 2.8 | 4.1 |
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: Move your seedlings into larger containers, or into the garden after they’ve germinated and spent about 2 to 3 weeks in the 16-cell tray.
Q: Can I mix and match the trays and pots?
A: Yes! Our trays, domes, and heat mats work together to build your ideal gardening set.
Have more questions? Don't hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden grow.
Total 5 star reviews: 52 Total 4 star reviews: 9 Total 3 star reviews: 6 Total 2 star reviews: 5 Total 1 star reviews: 4
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Rating
76 reviews
- Susan S.CO, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 2 out of 5 stars6/26/26Too small, difficult to remove seedling
I’m a big fan of the EPIC 6-cell seedling trays. Skip these teeny 16-cells and buy the 6-cells at a quantity discount.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests6/27/26Hey Susan,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. We really appreciate your feedback about the 16-cell trays and your preference for the 6-cell version. It's great to hear you're a big fan of our EPIC 6-cell trays! Your insights about the size differences are invaluable to us and help other customers make informed choices. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻
- JnMB, CanadaVerified ReviewerRated 3 out of 5 stars5/21/26Skipping next year
Got these to start the cooler temp veg, herbs, etc. success rate (low germ, leggy, etc) was notably lower than milk jug and 6-cell trays. Not sure if it’s the crowding or limited medium volume.
Will be skipping these next year and just buying more 6-cell trays
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests5/25/26Hey Jn,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your honest experience with the Epic 16-Cell Seed Starting Trays! I really appreciate your detailed feedback about the germination rates and seedling development.
You raise some excellent points about the differences between tray sizes and their impact on growing success. It sounds like you've done some great experimenting to figure out what works best for your setup, and that kind of hands-on experience is invaluable.
Your feedback about the potential crowding and medium volume limitations is really helpful for us and for fellow gardeners who might be considering different tray options for their seed starting needs.
Thank you for sharing your growing insights and for that solid 3-star rating! Keep on growing 🌻️
- tony N.TN, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/18/26Love em!
No more flimsy big box store trays for me. That and the large access hole on bottom, makes it so much easier to access seedlings for transplanting.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - Libby Y.TN, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3/10/26Perfect trays
These trays are such good quality and have come in handy with starting my onion seeds.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised Bed - B.AL, United StatesRated 1 out of 5 stars3/6/26Not useful
I have tried everything from small seeded, slow growing herbs; to multisown onions in these and have to say that it is nearly impossible to get out a held together root ball. The top dries exceptionally fast, yet the interior remains very wet (used mutiple different medias). Just find these difficult to work with. I use the flat end of a color stencil through the hole because not pinky accessible. Other trays have workwd exceptionally well, but they are designed differently.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? Community GardenHow do you prefer to grow? In GroundBIBotanical Interests3/17/26Hey B,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️