Did you know that your kitchen scraps could become your next thriving garden?
Instead of tossing food scraps into the compost bin or trash, you can regrow many common fruits, vegetables, and herbs right from the leftovers.
It’s a fun, sustainable, and cost-effective way to start a garden, even with limited space.
Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to reduce food waste, this full list of plants you can regrow from kitchen scraps will help you grow fresh produce right from your countertop, windowsill, or backyard garden.
Why Regrow Plants from Kitchen Scraps?
Regrowing food from scraps has many benefits:
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Zero waste gardening: Reduces food waste and landfills
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Budget-friendly: Grows free food from leftovers
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Fun for all ages: A great educational activity for kids
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Space-saving: Ideal for small spaces, balconies, or indoor gardens
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Sustainable living: Encourages eco-friendly habits and self-sufficiency
Let’s dive into the full list of plants you can regrow at home—no green thumb required.
Vegetables You Can Regrow from Scraps
1. Green Onions / Scallions
How to regrow:
Place the white root ends of green onions in a glass of water with the roots submerged. Put it on a sunny windowsill. Change the water every few days, and you’ll see new green shoots within a week.
Regrow time: 5–7 days
Regrow tip: You can keep harvesting the tops multiple times before replanting in soil.
2. Celery
How to regrow:
Cut the base (about 2 inches from the root) and place it in a shallow bowl with water. Within days, new leaves will sprout from the center. Once roots form, transplant to soil.
Regrow time: 1–2 weeks
Best indoors or outdoors: Indoors first, then outdoors in containers or garden beds.
3. Romaine Lettuce
How to regrow:
Use the stump (about 2–3 inches) and place in a shallow dish of water with sunlight. New leaves will begin to grow in just a few days.
Regrow time: 7–10 days for small harvests
Tip: You can also regrow red leaf or butter lettuce the same way.
4. Leeks
How to regrow:
Just like green onions, place the root end in a glass of water. It’ll regrow from the center.
Regrow time: 1 week
Pro tip: Great for soups and broths—keep a steady supply by rotating scraps.
5. Garlic
How to regrow:
Plant garlic cloves (pointy side up) in well-draining soil. Each clove grows into a full bulb. You can also grow garlic greens by sprouting the cloves in water.
Regrow time: 6–9 months for bulbs; 7–10 days for greens
Tip: Perfect for growing indoors on windowsills.
6. Potatoes
How to regrow:
Cut potatoes into chunks with 1–2 eyes each. Let the pieces dry for 1–2 days, then plant in soil. Each sprouting eye can grow a new plant.
Regrow time: 10–12 weeks
Tip: Use organic potatoes for better results; some store-bought ones are treated to prevent sprouting.
7. Sweet Potatoes
How to regrow:
Cut a sweet potato in half and suspend it in water using toothpicks. Shoots, or “slips,” will grow. Once they reach 4–5 inches, snap them off and plant in soil.
Regrow time: 4–6 weeks to get slips
Harvest time: 3–4 months after planting
8. Carrot Tops
How to regrow:
Place carrot tops (about 1 inch thick) in a shallow dish of water. While you won’t regrow full carrots, the leafy greens are edible and great for garnishes or pesto.
Regrow time: 5–7 days
Pro tip: Great for indoor herb gardens.
9. Onions
How to regrow:
Plant onion bottoms in soil, leaving the top exposed. Shoots will grow, and eventually, the bulb will divide and form new onions.
Regrow time: Several weeks to months
Tip: Use yellow, red, or white onions.
10. Ginger
How to regrow:
Use a fresh chunk of ginger with visible eyes. Plant it in soil with the eyes facing up. Water regularly and keep in indirect sunlight.
Regrow time: 3–4 weeks to sprout; 8–10 months to harvest
Best grown indoors in containers in cooler climates.
11. Beets
How to regrow:
Place the beet tops in shallow water to regrow edible beet greens. Full beets can also regrow from scraps in garden beds with enough time and space.
Regrow time: 5–7 days for greens
Tip: Change the water every other day.
Herbs You Can Regrow from Cuttings
12. Basil
How to regrow:
Place a basil stem (4–6 inches) in a glass of water. Once roots develop (in 1–2 weeks), transplant into soil.
Regrow tip: Pinch off the tops regularly to encourage bushier growth.
13. Mint
How to regrow:
Mint grows quickly from cuttings. Put stems in water until roots form, then move to soil.
Pro tip: Mint spreads aggressively—use containers to control growth.
14. Cilantro
How to regrow:
Place cilantro stems in water. Once roots grow (in about 1 week), plant in soil for continuous harvests.
Tip: Harvest leaves from the top to encourage new growth.
15. Thyme
How to regrow:
Cut 3–4 inch sprigs, strip lower leaves, and place in water. After roots appear, transplant to soil.
Light requirement: Full sun or bright indoor light.
16. Lemongrass
How to regrow:
Place the bottom stalks in a glass of water. After roots grow, transplant to a pot or garden bed.
Uses: Great for teas, soups, and insect-repelling properties.
Fruits You Can Regrow from Scraps
17. Pineapple
How to regrow:
Twist or cut off the leafy top, remove a few lower leaves, and let dry for 1–2 days. Then, root in water or plant directly in soil.
Regrow time: 2–3 years for fruit, but the plant is decorative and hardy.
18. Avocado
How to regrow:
Suspend the pit in water with toothpicks. Once roots and a stem appear, transplant to soil.
Tip: Avocados take years to produce fruit, but make attractive houseplants.
19. Lemon or Citrus Seeds
How to regrow:
Clean fresh seeds and plant directly in moist potting mix. Keep in a warm, sunny spot.
Regrow tip: Dwarf citrus trees are ideal for indoor growing.
20. Apple Seeds
How to regrow:
Clean and dry the seeds. Germinate by placing in damp paper towels in a plastic bag for a few weeks before planting.
Note: Trees from apple seeds won’t always produce the same fruit but are fun to grow.
Quick Tips for Success
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Use organic produce when possible to avoid chemicals that inhibit growth.
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Change water regularly (every 2–3 days) to prevent rot or mold.
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Use a well-draining potting mix when transferring to soil.
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Place in bright, indirect sunlight to encourage strong root development.
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Be patient! Some plants take time to regrow or mature.
With just a bit of water, sunlight, and creativity, you can regrow a wide variety of plants from everyday kitchen scraps.
Not only will you reduce food waste and save money, but you’ll also gain the satisfaction of growing your own food right at home—even without a full garden.
Whether you’re regrowing green onions on a windowsill or starting sweet potatoes in your backyard, this approach to gardening is fun, eco-friendly, and incredibly rewarding.
