Did you know that you can grow a garden right in your kitchen using scraps from vegetables and herbs you already have?
That’s right—many everyday kitchen leftovers like onion bottoms, lettuce stumps, or herb stems can be regrown indoors with little effort. It’s one of the most cost-effective, sustainable, and fun ways to garden—no yard required!
Whether you want to reduce food waste, save money, or simply enjoy the freshness of homegrown greens, this guide will show you 20 vegetables and herbs you can regrow from scraps indoors.
With just water, sunlight, and a few simple containers, you’ll be harvesting your own produce in no time.
Why Grow Food from Kitchen Scraps?
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Saves money on grocery bills
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Reduces food waste
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Perfect for apartments and small spaces
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Teaches self-sufficiency and gardening skills
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Fresh, pesticide-free produce all year round
Ready to turn your scraps into green gold? Let’s get started!
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
One of the easiest plants to regrow! Simply place the white root ends in a glass with an inch of water.
Steps:
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Change water every few days.
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Harvest new green growth in 5–7 days.
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Snip what you need and let it keep growing.
2. Lettuce (Romaine, Butterhead)
Save the base of your lettuce head and place it in a shallow bowl of water.
Tip: In 5–10 days, new leaves will sprout from the center. Transfer to soil for larger growth.
3. Celery
Place the celery base in a bowl of warm water and set it in a sunny window.
Results: New leafy stalks begin to grow from the center in about a week. Replant in soil for better results.
4. Bok Choy
Just like celery and lettuce, bok choy will regenerate from its base.
Instructions: Submerge the root base in water and place in a sunny spot. Replant when new leaves and roots form.
5. Garlic Greens
You can grow flavorful garlic greens (not bulbs) by planting a single garlic clove in soil.
Quick tip: Place the clove pointy side up. Cut greens when they reach 6–8 inches tall.
6. Leeks
Regrow leeks exactly like green onions. Place the root ends in a glass of water with sunlight and watch them shoot up.
7. Carrot Tops
While you can’t grow a whole new carrot, the leafy greens from the top are edible and make great garnishes or pesto.
How to grow: Place carrot tops in a shallow dish with water. Watch the leaves grow in just a few days.
8. Beet Greens
Place the top inch of beets in water and grow them for delicious, nutritious beet greens—great in smoothies or salads.
9. Sweet Potatoes
Suspend half a sweet potato in water using toothpicks. Sprouts (called “slips”) will form in a few weeks.
Then: Twist off the slips and place them in water until roots form. Transplant into soil indoors for leafy greens or future tubers.
10. Basil
Place basil cuttings (about 4–5 inches long) in water. Roots will begin to form in 7–10 days.
Tip: Transfer to a pot with soil for stronger growth. Needs 6+ hours of sunlight.
11. Cilantro
Like basil, cilantro regrows easily from cuttings. Place stems in a glass of water and watch roots appear.
Once rooted: Plant in a pot and place in a sunny window.
12. Mint
Regrow mint from leftover sprigs. Root in water, then transplant into a container.
Note: Mint spreads quickly, so a dedicated pot is ideal.
13. Parsley
Place parsley stems in water and allow roots to grow before planting in soil.
Keep it healthy: Ensure it gets plenty of indirect sunlight.
14. Thyme
Take a 3–4 inch stem and place it in water. Once rooted, transfer to a pot of soil.
Bonus: Thyme is hardy and requires little maintenance once established.
15. Rosemary
Rosemary can be tricky but rewarding. Place cuttings in water or damp soil and wait for root growth.
Tip: Use a humidity dome or plastic bag to retain moisture until it establishes.
16. Fennel
Cut off the fennel base (1–2 inches) and place it in water. New green shoots will emerge in 4–7 days.
Planting tip: Transfer to soil once roots develop for full regrowth.
17. Onions
You can regrow onions from the root end. Place in shallow water or directly in soil, root side down.
Harvest: Green onion-like shoots or eventually a new onion bulb over time.
18. Peppers (Bell, Chili)
Harvest seeds from ripe peppers and dry them. Plant in pots and keep in a sunny, warm window.
Patience required: Germination may take 2–3 weeks.
19. Tomatoes
Save seeds from ripe tomatoes, rinse and dry them. Plant indoors in rich potting soil.
Sun-loving: Place near a bright window or under grow lights for best results.
20. Ginger
Break off a chunk of ginger with visible “eyes” or buds. Place in moist soil with buds facing up.
Watch for: Sprouts and shoots in a few weeks. Great for growing in shallow containers indoors.
Tips for Success When Growing Indoors from Scraps
Light is Key: Most vegetables and herbs need 6–8 hours of light daily. A south-facing window or grow light works best.
Change Water Frequently: For scraps growing in water, change the water every 2–3 days to prevent bacteria and rot.
Be Patient: Some scraps regrow quickly (like green onions), while others (like ginger or sweet potatoes) take weeks.
Use Organic When Possible: Store-bought veggies are sometimes treated to prevent sprouting. Organic or local produce is ideal for regrowing.
Transplant to Soil for Longevity: Water-growing is great for starting plants, but transferring to soil encourages stronger growth and harvest.
Regrowing vegetables and herbs from scraps is one of the most rewarding and sustainable gardening practices you can try at home.
With minimal tools, time, and space, you can transform your kitchen waste into fresh, flavorful, and free food—all while reducing your carbon footprint.
Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to make the most of what you already have, these 20 regrow-from-scrap ideas are a fantastic place to start.
With just a little care and consistency, your windowsill can become a thriving indoor garden.
