Best Seedling Trays for Nursery Propagation

At PrimeHort, our role is to provide nursery supplies that maximise productivity and crop yields. And when you’re growing at scale, choosing the best seedling trays for nursery propagation becomes one of the most important decisions in your operation.

The right tray improves germination, encourages strong root development, boosts productivity, and ultimately lifts overall plant quality. Using the wrong tray that is either flimsy, too shallow, wrong cell size, or poorly suited to automation, will create bottlenecks in your workflow and add stress to overall plant health (and your staff too).

We hold an enormous range of trays, and in late 2025, we acquired Transplant Systems Australia. Their suite of forestry and vegetable seedling trays provide an excellent chance to review your trays and weigh up the merits of the TS-series, many of which last upwards of 20 years with correct use and care.

Choosing well is essential. Here’s a practical guide to help you select the right trays for high-volume growing.

1. Start with your crop requirements
   Different species demand different environments, and tray design plays a big role.Cell size: Fine seeds (e.g. veggie seedlings) thrive in smaller cells that maintain moisture and encourage dense rootballs. Faster-growing, vigorous crops need larger cells to avoid early root binding and reduce transplant stress. Top selling small cell trays include: 128 Cell Tray and TS-144V Cell Tray combine with the clever little Plug Popper, designed to align perfectly with this tray. Popular larger cell trays include the 28 Cell and 50 Cell.

   Cell depth: Deep cells support crops that need stronger taproot development (e.g. forestry species). Shallower cells can accelerate turnaround time on quick crops. Top sellers for deep cells include: 28 Deep Square Cell, 45 Cell and 50 Cell. Popular shallow cells include: 50 Cell Shallow Tray, and 32 Cell Shallow.

2. Consider your growing environment
   Your propagation set-up will influence tray performance.Glasshouse or shadehouse? High heat and humidity environments can cause cheaper plastics to warp over time. Our trays are made from UV-stabilised, durable materials, and can withstand repeated cycles if used correctly.

   Bench or automated line? Trays used on rolling benches need consistent footprints – our trays are all manufactured to a precise external size, even after repeated/heavy use. Automation-friendly trays must have robust frames with minimal flex.

3. Think about handling efficiency
   When you’re moving thousands of plants a week, labour counts.Look for trays with:
   – Comfortable hand grips
   – Strong rims that don’t twist under load
   – Stackable and nestable designs
   – Base designs that minimise substrate loss

   A well-designed tray can shave seconds off every lift or shift, adding up to hours over a working week.

4. Prioritise healthy root development
   Root quality is vital for transplant-ready plants.Air-pruning features like open cell bases prevent root spiralling and force lateral branching.
   Drainage design supports uniform moisture across every cell.
   Smooth internal cell walls reduce root damage during plug extraction.

   Our forestry and propagation trays, for example, include anti-spiral ribs and open bases to support premium root quality.

5. Match your tray to your automation
   With more nurseries integrating machinery like transplanters, trayfillers, dibblers, and more, the need for automation-friendly trays has never been greater.Before selecting a tray, consider:
   – Does it suit your potting or transplanting lines?
   – Is the footprint compatible with your machinery?
   – Is the plastic durable enough for repeated automation handling?

   If you’re expanding or planning an upgrade, talk to us – we can suggest the most-compatible trays for your goals.

6. Evaluate durability and lifespan
   Cheap trays may feel cost-effective up-front but often fail early – warping, cracking, or becoming brittle. Premium trays last longer and deliver more uniform crops over multiple seasons.What should you look for?
   – Recycled or virgin plastic blends
   – UV stabilisation
   – Reinforced ribs and frames
   – Proven and reputable trays – ask industry peers!

   Our trays have all undergone rigorous testing to ensure growers get longevity and reliability.

7. Look for waste reduction opportunities
   Durable, reusable trays reduce operational waste significantly. Many growers are investigating the Transplant Systems suite of trays because of their robustness and long life span of up to 20 years when handled correctly. Likewise, we recently introduced the 28 Cell Forestry Tray Recycled PP which is made from 100% recycled plastic, making it environmentally responsible. Same standard footprint as its original, plus a few new features to enhance its performance.The 28 Cell Forestry Tray Virgin PP is also a goodie, manufactured with durable No. 5 polypropylene plastic – it is expected to have 9+ years of service life.

8. Lean on expert advice
   Every nursery is unique – crop type, climate, labour, automation, and workflow all determine which trays will work best. Our team works closely with growers to match trays to propagation goals, so if you would like tailored recommendations, we are happy to help.The best seedling trays for nursery propagation will lift plant quality, reduce labour, and streamline every part of your propagation workflow.

Talk to us about the opportunities for smarter growing!