Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is not just a fun and rewarding gardening activity—it’s also a sustainable way to reduce waste and keep a continuous supply of fresh produce in your home.
But does it really work? The answer is yes! With the right methods and care, you can regrow many common vegetables from the leftovers that you would normally throw away.
In this article, we’ll explore the truth about regrowing veggies from kitchen scraps, how to do it successfully, and 20 vegetables you can regrow easily at home.
The Truth About Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps
Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is not a magic trick, but it is a reliable method for growing fresh produce using parts of the vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.
The key to success lies in understanding which vegetables can be regrown, how to properly regrow them, and maintaining the right conditions for growth.
Benefits of Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps:
- Cost-Effective: Growing vegetables from scraps saves money by providing a free source of fresh produce.
- Reduces Waste: Instead of tossing your scraps into the compost or trash, you can turn them into new plants, reducing food waste.
- Eco-Friendly: Growing your own vegetables at home helps reduce your carbon footprint and dependence on store-bought produce.
- Satisfying and Fun: Watching new plants sprout from kitchen scraps is a fun and educational activity for the whole family.
While regrowing vegetables from scraps won’t completely replace your grocery store trips, it’s a fantastic way to supplement your fresh produce supply and engage in sustainable gardening.
20 Vegetables You Can Regrow from Scraps
Here’s a list of 20 vegetables you can regrow at home using kitchen scraps, along with tips for how to regrow each one:
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
Green onions are one of the easiest vegetables to regrow. After using the green tops, save the white bulb with its roots.
How to Regrow:
- Place the root ends in a glass of water with the roots submerged.
- Keep it in a sunny spot and change the water every few days.
- In about a week, the green tops will regrow.
2. Lettuce
Lettuce can regrow quickly from its core, allowing you to harvest fresh leaves repeatedly.
How to Regrow:
- Place the bottom of a lettuce head in a shallow dish of water, cut side up.
- Set it in a sunny location and change the water every couple of days.
- After a week, new leaves will sprout from the center.
3. Celery
Celery is another vegetable that regrows well from its base, producing fresh stalks.
How to Regrow:
- Place the base of a celery bunch in a dish of water with the cut side facing up.
- After a few days, new shoots will start to grow from the center.
- Transfer to soil after a week for continued growth.
4. Carrots (Tops)
While you can’t regrow full carrots from scraps, you can regrow the leafy tops, which are great in salads and soups.
How to Regrow:
- Cut off the carrot tops and place them in a shallow dish of water.
- In a few days, green tops will begin to grow, which can be harvested.
5. Garlic
Garlic is easy to regrow and can produce both green garlic shoots and new bulbs.
How to Regrow:
- Plant individual cloves of garlic in soil, pointed end up, and cover lightly with soil.
- Water regularly, and green shoots will emerge within a few weeks. These can be used like scallions, while the bulb continues to grow.
6. Ginger
With a small piece of ginger, you can grow an entire new plant, providing you with a fresh supply for years.
How to Regrow:
- Plant a piece of ginger root with growth buds (eyes) facing up in moist soil.
- Place in a warm location with indirect light, and water sparingly. New shoots will appear, and the ginger root will grow.
7. Potatoes
Potatoes that have sprouted can be used to grow new plants and produce a fresh batch of potatoes.
How to Regrow:
- Cut the sprouted potato into chunks, ensuring each piece has at least one eye (sprout).
- Let them dry for a day, then plant in soil with the eyes facing up. Water regularly, and potatoes will grow underground.
8. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can also be regrown from sprouted ends, producing new slips that can be replanted.
How to Regrow:
- Place a half-sweet potato in water with the cut side down and the top above water.
- Once the slips (shoots) grow, remove them and plant in soil.
9. Basil
You can propagate basil from cuttings to grow an endless supply of fresh herbs.
How to Regrow:
- Place basil stems with a few leaves in a glass of water, and place in a sunny spot.
- Once the roots form, transfer the cuttings to soil.
10. Cilantro
Like basil, cilantro can be regrown from stem cuttings to provide continuous fresh leaves.
How to Regrow:
- Place cilantro stems in a glass of water.
- Once roots develop, transfer the stems to soil to continue growing.
11. Leeks
Leeks, like green onions, can regrow from their root ends, producing new green stalks.
How to Regrow:
- Place the white base of leeks in a glass of water with the roots submerged.
- Set the glass in a sunny area, and new green shoots will begin to grow.
12. Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce, like other leafy greens, can regrow quickly from the core.
How to Regrow:
- Place the base of a romaine lettuce head in water, and after a week, new leaves will sprout.
- Once the roots are established, transfer to soil for continued growth.
13. Onions
Onions can be regrown from the bulb’s base, producing fresh onions over time.
How to Regrow:
- Place the bottom of the onion in soil with the roots facing down.
- Water regularly, and the onion will regrow.
14. Fennel
Fennel can regrow from its base, producing fresh green shoots that can be used in salads and dishes.
How to Regrow:
- Place the base of the fennel bulb in water, and new growth will appear from the center.
- Transfer to soil after about a week.
15. Bok Choy
Bok choy regrows quickly from its base, producing fresh leaves and stems.
How to Regrow:
- Place the base of bok choy in water and set it in a sunny spot.
- New shoots will emerge in a few days, and you can transfer it to soil for continued growth.
16. Turnips
While you can’t regrow turnip roots, you can regrow their greens from the tops.
How to Regrow:
- Place the tops of turnips in water, and new greens will sprout from the top. These greens are edible and can be harvested.
17. Beets (Greens)
Beets can regrow greens from their tops, providing fresh, nutritious leaves.
How to Regrow:
- Place beet tops in a shallow dish of water.
- New leaves will grow within a few days, which can be harvested for salads and sautés.
18. Kale
You can regrow kale from the stems by placing the base in water.
How to Regrow:
- Place kale stems in a dish of water until new shoots appear.
- Once roots form, transfer the stems to soil for full growth.
19. Cabbage
Cabbage can regrow new leaves from its base, giving you a continuous supply of fresh greens.
How to Regrow:
- Place the root end of cabbage in water, and new leaves will sprout from the center.
- Transfer to soil once new growth appears.
20. Scallions
Scallions, like green onions, can regrow quickly from their root ends.
How to Regrow:
- Place the white root end in a glass of water, and new green shoots will appear within days.
- Keep in a sunny spot and harvest as needed.
Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps is a simple and eco-friendly way to enjoy fresh produce while reducing food waste.
