One of the questions I get asked the most is “why are my water kefir grains not growing?” Or, my grains are dead and not fermenting because my water kefir grains are not multiplying. The first indication of fermentation is that the sweetened water loses sweetness over several days when fermented at approximately 24 degrees Celsius. Not the grain growth or fizz. These variables improve with troubleshooting.

If you’ve started your fermented-drinks journey with water kefir, you may already own a handful of live culture grains and be asking: “How do I get my water kefir grains to grow?” or “Why aren’t my water kefir grains multiplying?” In this guide we’ll walk you through the key steps to grow healthy water kefir grains, troubleshoot common issues, and get more from your fermentation setup.

What Are Water Kefir Grains?

Water kefir grains (sometimes called “Tibicos”) are living symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast that ferment sugar water into a probiotic-rich, fizzy drink. When you feed and ferment them correctly, the grains not only ferment but may also multiply; giving you more culture, more drink, more health benefits. This may not always be an easy achievement for some due to the environmental variables your grains are exposed to, however there are some variables you can control to improve your chances of culture growth. 

Step 1: Give Them Time and Consistency

New or recently re-activated grains often need a period of adjustment. They may take several batches (or 1-3 weeks) before they begin to sharply increase in size or number. Even live cultures require patience and time for settling into their new environments- new sugar, new water, different temperature swings, different climate and the list goes on.

If growth is slow:

• Maintain consistent fermentation cycles (every 48 hours at approx 24 degrees)
  
  

• Keep grains in active use rather than storing dormant for long periods
  
  

• Choose a warm, stable environment (the cooler it is the longer the grains will take to ferment)

• Use good quality water and sugar
  
  We have taken the guess work out for you and specifically formulated a water kefir food to support your kefir grains in receiving the correct minerals they require to support growth.

Step 2: Use the Right Feed & Ratio

Feeding your grains the right sugar water is critical. A good starting ratio is about ¼ cup organic cane sugar per quart (≈1 L) of filtered, non-chlorinated water. Too little sugar or too weak a feed and the grains won’t grow; too much sugar or the wrong sugar can stress them and overload their workload. Aim to use light colour organic sugars with minimal processing. Processed sugars have been exposed to chemicals and a lot of their goodness has been removed.

Recommended ratio examples:

• 3-4 TBS grains to [¼ cup sugar plus 750ml-1000ml Water]

Step 3: Ideal Temperature & Environment

Water kefir grains thrive in warm, room-temperature conditions. Aim for around 20-26 °C. Cooler conditions slow growth; warmer conditions speed things up but temperatures that are too warm can also stress the culture.  Avoid direct sunlight and overheating. Use glass jars, avoid reactive metal utensils/containers (which can leach and harm the grains). High grade stainless steel utensils are fine to use. 

Step 4: Use the Right Water & Mineral Balance

The water you use matters. Avoid heavily chlorinated tap water or water that is too soft/mineral-poor. Distilled water has no mineral value and should not be used. Avoid overloading your grains with too many minerals for too long a time period. 

Step 5: Harvesting & Resting While Growing

As the grains multiply you’ll notice increased volume, more bubbling and faster fermentation. At that point:

• Remove a portion of excess grains to maintain balance or ferment larger volumes of liquid to maintain the ratios above. 

• If you need to pause, you can “hibernate” the grains in the fridge in fresh sugar water for up to 1-3 weeks, but this slows growth and can impact their efficiency in fermentation temporarily.
  
  

Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Grains not growing: Check sugar ratio, temperature, water quality, feed frequency.
  
  

• Grains dissolving or turning mushy: Often over-mineralised sugar or too much coconut water/juice instead of sugar water.
  
  

• Slow fermentation & few bubbles: Fermentation too cool, or grains needing refresh/feed.
  
  

• Growth but drink tastes off: Ensure correct jar hygiene, avoid metal utensils, and refresh feed frequently, ferment for the correct time period, use correct ingredients and ferment with a breathable cotton top.
  
  

Why Growth Matters for You

Growing your grains means you’ll:

• Have enough culture to brew larger batches (great for home-made fizzy probiotic drinks)
  
  

• Develop stronger, healthier grains that ferment well and consistently
  
  

Growing your water kefir grains isn’t difficult, but it does require consistent care, clean good quality sugar, great water quality, good temperature, and the right environment. By following these six steps you’ll set yourself up for success: regular fermentation cycles, visible grain growth, improved batches, and a thriving probiotic culture that supports your gut health.

At Symbiota, we make things simple. Our water kefir kits have everything you need to start fermenting like a pro!