Imagine growing your own fresh produce right on your kitchen counter—without needing any soil, fertilizer, or fancy equipment.
It’s not only possible, it’s incredibly easy. Regrowing food in water is a low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and budget-savvy way to enjoy homegrown greens, herbs, and vegetables.
All you need is a container, fresh water, and a sunny windowsill.
From green onions to lettuce, many common kitchen scraps can be regrown in water, offering a fun and rewarding way to reduce food waste while staying connected to what you eat.
Whether you live in a small apartment, have no garden space, or just want to experiment with indoor gardening, these 10 foods that regrow without dirt are perfect to get started.
Why Regrow Food in Water?
Regrowing vegetables and herbs in water offers numerous benefits. It requires no soil, which means no mess, no bugs, and no need for outdoor space.
It’s also cost-effective, as you’re using kitchen scraps that would otherwise be thrown away. Plus, it’s educational—an excellent project for families, classrooms, or anyone curious about how plants grow.
With just a little light and fresh water, you can regrow food year-round. Many of these plants start sprouting in just a few days, making it an instant-gratification gardening project.
10 Foods You Can Regrow in Water
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
Green onions are among the easiest vegetables to regrow in water. Simply place the white root end (about 1–2 inches long) in a glass with enough water to cover the roots.
Set the glass in a sunny window and change the water every two to three days. Within a week, you’ll see new green shoots sprouting from the top. You can trim and use them continuously as they grow.
2. Lettuce
Romaine and butterhead lettuce varieties regrow well in water. Save the base of the lettuce head (about 2 inches) and place it in a shallow dish with water covering just the bottom.
Put the dish on a windowsill where it gets plenty of light. After 3–5 days, you’ll notice new leaf growth.
While you won’t regrow a full head of lettuce, you’ll get enough baby greens to add to sandwiches or salads.
3. Celery
Celery regrows much like lettuce. Cut off the base of a celery bunch and place it in a shallow bowl with the cut side facing up.
Add about an inch of water and place it in a sunny window. In a few days, you’ll see small leaves emerging from the center, and soon the stalks will begin to regenerate.
After a couple of weeks, you can plant it in soil for continued growth or continue in water with regular changes.
4. Garlic Sprouts
Garlic cloves that start to sprout can be regrown in water to produce garlic greens, which have a mild garlic flavor perfect for seasoning.
Place a sprouted garlic clove in a small dish or shot glass with just enough water to cover the bottom. Keep it in indirect light.
The green shoots will grow quickly and can be snipped and used like scallions or chives.
5. Leeks
Leeks, like green onions, can be regrown in water with ease. Cut the bottom 2–3 inches of the leek and place it root-side down in a glass with enough water to submerge the roots.
Place the glass near a window and change the water regularly. New green growth will begin to appear within a week, and the stalks will continue to lengthen over time.
6. Bok Choy
Bok choy is another leafy vegetable that regrows beautifully in water. Cut the bottom off a bunch of bok choy and place it in a shallow bowl with water just covering the base.
Within a few days, you’ll notice new leaves and stalks sprouting from the center. Keep it in a bright location and change the water every few days.
Eventually, you can transplant it into soil or harvest it directly from your water setup.
7. Basil
You can regrow basil from cuttings in water to grow a full new plant. Snip a 4–6 inch stem just below a leaf node and remove the lower leaves.
Place the stem in a jar of water in a sunny windowsill. Change the water every couple of days to prevent bacteria buildup.
After about a week, you’ll see roots forming. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can plant the basil in soil or leave it in water to continue harvesting leaves.
8. Mint
Like basil, mint is an herb that regrows readily in water. Take a healthy cutting and place it in a cup of clean water in a well-lit area.
Mint roots quickly—within 5 to 7 days, roots will appear, and you’ll soon have a thriving mint plant. Mint is incredibly prolific, so keep it trimmed and harvest often to encourage new growth.
9. Carrot Tops
Although you can’t regrow a whole carrot, the leafy tops can be regrown and used as garnish or in pesto.
Cut off about an inch of the top of a carrot and place it in a shallow dish with a little water. Keep it in a sunny spot and mist the top if it begins to dry out.
Green shoots will emerge from the top, and tiny white roots may form underneath. The greens are edible and full of nutrients.
10. Fennel
Fennel bulbs can be regrown in water much like celery and bok choy. Save the base of the fennel bulb and place it root-side down in a dish with water covering just the bottom.
With good light and clean water, you’ll begin to see new fronds and shoots appear.
Once growth is established, you can transplant fennel into soil for a more substantial harvest or continue growing in water for herbs and garnish.
Tips for Regrowing Food in Water Successfully
To get the best results from your water regrowth project, be sure to follow these simple guidelines. Use fresh, non-damaged scraps with healthy root bases or stems.
Always use clean containers and fresh, non-chlorinated water. Tap water can be used if allowed to sit out for 24 hours to dissipate chlorine. Change the water every 2 to 3 days to prevent bacterial growth and ensure healthy roots.
Place your regrowing containers in bright, indirect sunlight—windowsills are ideal. Rotate containers occasionally to encourage even growth.
Once your vegetables or herbs have established roots or sufficient regrowth, you can either continue growing in water or transplant them into soil for longer life and better yields.
Why Regrowing Food in Water Is Worth It
Regrowing food in water is a simple way to enjoy gardening without the mess of soil. It helps reduce food waste, saves money, and gives you an endless supply of fresh herbs and greens from your kitchen scraps.
Plus, it’s a fun project for adults and children alike. Watching plants grow day by day brings a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to what we eat.
In just a few short days, you’ll begin to see the magic of nature at work—all from the leftovers you might have thrown away.
Whether you’re trying to be more sustainable, cut down on grocery bills, or just enjoy the novelty of growing your own food, these ten regrow-in-water foods offer the perfect way to start.
