How to Upgrade DNA Machine in Grow a Garden (March 2026 Guide)

The DNA Machine in Grow a Garden can be upgraded by submitting prehistoric plants to Barry the Raptor NPC, unlocking Primal eggs and reducing mutation wait times from 1 hour to as low as 30 minutes. Players need 40-120kg of prehistoric fruits across 5 upgrade levels to fully transform the basic machine into a massive dinosaur head that processes pets faster and offers better rewards.

I’ve been grinding the Pet Mutations update non-stop since it dropped, and let me tell you – upgrading the DNA Machine has completely transformed my dinosaur egg farming! After spending countless hours (and way too many pets) figuring out the most efficient upgrade strategies, I’m here to share everything you need to know about maximizing this game-changing feature.

Grow a Garden: DNA Machine Upgrade Overview

Upgrade Level	Prehistoric Fruit Required	Key Benefits
Level 1	40kg	Unlocks upgrade path
Level 2	60kg	Reduces wait time
Level 3	80kg	Better egg chances
Level 4	100kg	Primal egg unlocked
Level 5	120kg	Maximum efficiency

What is the DNA Machine in Grow a Garden Roblox?

The DNA Machine (also called Pet Mutator or Dino Machine) is that massive contraption sitting beside the Prehistoric Quest stand in the center of the map. Originally introduced in the Prehistoric Update, this machine lets you trade any non-dinosaur pet for a chance at getting Dinosaur eggs or even rare dinosaur pets directly.

But here’s where it gets exciting – with the recent Pet Mutations update, you can now upgrade this machine up to five times! Each upgrade not only makes it look cooler (seriously, the final form is a giant green dinosaur head with glowing red eyes), but it also:

• Drastically reduces mutation time
• Increases your chances of getting multiple eggs
• Unlocks access to the exclusive Primal eggs
• Improves odds of getting rare dinosaur pets directly

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading Your DNA Machine in GaG

Finding Barry the Raptor

First things first – head to the central area where the DNA Machine is located. You’ll spot Barry the Raptor NPC standing right beside it, wearing a cute little construction hat. This prehistoric contractor is your key to upgrading!

Getting Prehistoric Plants

Before you can upgrade anything, you’ll need prehistoric plants. These special crops only come from Ancient Seed Packs, which you can:

• Craft at the event platform (requires 1 Dinosaur Egg + 55,000,000 Sheckles)
• Earn as rewards from completing Pre-Historic Quests
• Trade for with other players (expect to pay premium prices!)

The prehistoric plants you can get include:

• Stonebite – Heavy and valuable
• Paradise Petal – Medium weight, good for early upgrades
• Horned Dinoshroom – Lightweight but plentiful
• Boneboo – Rare but worth its weight
• Firefly Fern – Glows and grows fast
• Bone Blossom – The legendary crop worth millions!

The Upgrade Process

Here’s exactly how to upgrade your DNA Machine:

1. Hold a prehistoric plant in your hand (equip it from your inventory)
2. Approach Barry and press ‘E’ to interact
3. Select “Take all my prehistoric plants” from the dialogue options
4. Watch the blue progress bar above Barry’s head fill up
5. Repeat until you hit the weight requirement for the next level

Pro tip: Barry takes ALL prehistoric plants of the type you’re holding, so be careful! I once accidentally gave him my entire stash of Bone Blossoms when I only meant to give one. Ouch!

DNA Machine Upgrade Requirements and Benefits

Let me break down each upgrade level in detail:

Level 1: The Starting Point (40kg)

At this stage, your DNA Machine gets its first visual upgrade with some prehistoric decorations. The wait time drops slightly, and you’ll notice pets process a bit faster. This is just the beginning!

Level 2: Getting Serious (60kg)

The machine starts showing its true potential. Processing time reduces to around 45-50 minutes, and you’ll occasionally get 2 eggs instead of just 1 from common pets.

Level 3: The Sweet Spot (80kg)

This is where things get interesting! The machine transforms significantly, adding more dinosaur features. You’ll start seeing:

• 3-4 eggs from single pet trades
• Higher chances of rare dinosaur pets
• Processing time around 35-40 minutes

Level 4: Primal Power (100kg)

THE game-changer! This upgrade unlocks the ability to receive Primal eggs, which contain exclusive prehistoric pets like:

• Parasaurolophus
• Iguanodon
• Pachycephalosaurus
• Dilophosaurus
• Ankylosaurus
• Spinosaurus

Level 5: Maximum Evolution (120kg)

The final form is absolutely epic – a massive dinosaur head with glowing red eyes that processes pets in just 25-30 minutes! At this level, you’re getting:

• Maximum egg output (up to 6 eggs per trade)
• Best chances for Primal eggs
• Highest probability of direct dinosaur pet conversion

Is Upgrading the DNA Machine Worth It?

I’ll be honest – this is a question I struggled with initially. After extensive testing on both my main and alt accounts, here’s my verdict:

YES, if you’re:

• A casual player who can’t constantly monitor the game
• Someone with lots of extra pets cluttering inventory
• Planning to AFK farm while at work/school
• Interested in collecting all Primal pets

MAYBE NOT, if you’re:

• Super active and complete quests quickly
• Low on funds (prehistoric plants are expensive!)
• Only interested in specific dinosaur pets
• New to the game with limited resources

The biggest advantage? Passive income! I set up trades before bed and wake up to 4-6 eggs ready to hatch. That’s worth way more than the prehistoric plants I invested.

Pro Strategies for Maximum Efficiency

The Weight Management Method

I’ve found the most efficient approach is to:

1. Grow multiple low-weight prehistoric plants first
2. Use Paradise Petals and Horned Dinoshrooms for early upgrades
3. Save your Bone Blossoms for selling – they’re worth more as profit than upgrade material!

The Trading Strategy

Some players in the trading community offer prehistoric plant packages specifically for DNA Machine upgrades. Look for deals like:

• “Upgrade Pack Level 1-3” (usually 50-100M Sheckles)
• “Full DNA Upgrade Service” (where they provide all plants needed)

The Pet Selection Secret

Not all pets are created equal when it comes to DNA mutation! Through testing, I’ve discovered:

• Rarer pets = higher chance of direct dinosaur conversion
• Event pets often yield better results
• Never trade: Limited pets, Red Fox, Raccoon, or exclusive event pets

Maximizing Your Primal Egg Chances

Once you’ve hit Level 4, getting Primal eggs becomes the ultimate goal. Here’s what I’ve learned about maximizing your chances:

1. Use Higher-Tier Pets: Divine and Mythical pets seem to have better Primal egg rates
2. Batch Processing: Save up 5-10 pets and process them all at once
3. Server Hopping: Some players swear certain servers have better luck (though this might be superstition)
4. Event Timing: During special events, Primal egg rates sometimes increase

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made all these mistakes so you don’t have to:

Wasting Valuable Plants

Don’t use Bone Blossom for upgrades! One Bone Blossom can sell for 875,000+ Sheckles base value – that’s worth more than the upgrade benefit.

Rushing the Process

Trying to upgrade everything in one day will drain your resources. Pace yourself and upgrade gradually as you accumulate prehistoric plants.

Trading Wrong Pets

I once traded my Fennec Fox by accident. Always double-check before confirming trades with Graham!

Ignoring the Timer

Even with max upgrades, you still need to wait. Set timers on your phone to maximize efficiency.

Alternative Methods: Crafting vs. DNA Machine

While we’re discussing the DNA Machine, it’s worth comparing it to the direct crafting method for Primal eggs:

Direct Crafting at the Table:

• Guaranteed Primal egg
• Costs: 1 Dinosaur Egg + 1 Bone Blossom + 5.5M Sheckles
• Predictable but expensive

DNA Machine Method:

• Random chance for Primal eggs
• Costs: Any pet (except dinosaurs)
• Unpredictable but potentially cheaper

My strategy? Use both! Craft when you need specific Primals, and use the DNA Machine for passive generation.

The Future of DNA Machine Updates

Based on developer patterns and community feedback, here’s what might come next:

• Seasonal Mutations: Holiday-themed transformations
• New Upgrade Tiers: Levels 6-10 with even better rewards
• Pet Combination System: Merge multiple pets for guaranteed rares
• Automation Features: Queue multiple pets at once

Tips from the Community

I’ve gathered these gems from the Grow a Garden Discord and Reddit:

• “Always upgrade during low-traffic hours for less lag” – @GardenPro2025
• “Save Common pets for regular trades, use Uncommon+ for DNA Machine” – Reddit user
• “The green glow intensity indicates upgrade level at a glance” – Discord moderator

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Barry Won’t Take My Plants!”

Make sure you’re holding prehistoric plants, not regular ones. Only Ancient Seed Pack plants work!

“My Timer Seems Stuck”

This is often related to the crops not growing bug. Try rejoining the server.

“I’m Not Getting Primal Eggs”

Remember, Primal eggs only start appearing at Level 4+ upgrades. Keep grinding!

Making the Most of Your Investment

To truly maximize your DNA Machine investment:

1. Complete Daily Quests: More dinosaur eggs = more crafting materials
2. Use Growth Pets: Speed up prehistoric plant growth with specialized pets
3. Join Trading Groups: Buy prehistoric plants in bulk for better prices
4. Farm During Events: Summer events often boost rewards

My Personal DNA Machine Journey

When I first started upgrading, I was skeptical. 120kg of prehistoric plants seemed insane! But after three weeks of dedicated farming, I finally maxed out my machine. The results?

• 47 Dinosaur eggs collected
• 8 Primal eggs earned
• 3 T-Rex pets obtained directly
• Countless hours saved through reduced wait times

Was it worth it? Absolutely! The passive income alone has funded my entire crop collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to fully upgrade the DNA Machine?

With dedicated farming, expect 1-2 weeks. Casual players might need 3-4 weeks to gather enough prehistoric plants.

Can I downgrade my DNA Machine?

No, upgrades are permanent. Choose wisely!

Do upgrades affect the types of dinosaurs I can get?

Upgrades don’t change regular dinosaur pet chances, but Level 4+ unlocks Primal eggs exclusively.

What’s the best prehistoric plant for upgrading?

Paradise Petals offer the best weight-to-value ratio for upgrades. Save Bone Blossoms for profit!

Can I trade an already mutated pet in the DNA Machine?

No, the DNA Machine only accepts regular pets – no dinosaurs or mutated variants.

Is there a limit to how many pets I can process daily?

No daily limit exists, but you’re constrained by the processing timer (25-60 minutes depending on upgrade level).

Will the DNA Machine be removed after the event?

Developers confirmed it’s a permanent feature, though prehistoric plants might become harder to obtain.

Can multiple players use the same DNA Machine?

Each player has their own machine instance – no sharing or stealing possible!

Final Thoughts

Upgrading the DNA Machine in Grow a Garden represents one of the best long-term investments you can make in 2026. While the initial prehistoric plant cost seems steep, the reduced wait times and Primal egg access more than justify the expense.

My advice? Start collecting those Ancient Seed Packs now, grow your prehistoric plants strategically, and upgrade gradually as you accumulate resources. The fully upgraded DNA Machine isn’t just a quality-of-life improvement – it’s a complete game-changer that’ll revolutionize how you collect pets in Grow a Garden.

Whether you’re hunting for that elusive Spinosaurus or just want to convert your pet collection more efficiently, an upgraded DNA Machine is your ticket to prehistoric success. Happy farming, and may your mutations be ever in your favor!