20 Vegetables You Can Re-Grow From Scraps

Growing vegetables from kitchen leftovers is not only an enjoyable and fulfilling gardening activity but also a practical and eco-friendly approach to minimizing waste while ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce in your household.

So, does it actually work? The answer is a resounding yes! By applying the proper techniques and care, you can successfully regrow many common vegetables from parts that are often discarded.

This article delves into the facts about regrowing vegetables from scraps, how to do it effectively, and introduces you to 20 vegetables you can easily regrow at home.

Understanding Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps

Regrowing vegetables from scraps isn't some kind of magical process. Rather, it’s a dependable technique for cultivating fresh produce from leftover vegetable parts that might otherwise go unused.

The success of this practice depends on recognizing which vegetables can be regrown, knowing the correct methods to regrow them, and providing the necessary conditions to thrive.

Advantages of Regrowing Vegetables from Scraps:

• Cost-Effective: Utilizing scraps to grow vegetables provides a cost-free source of fresh produce.
• Reduces Waste: Instead of discarding scraps, you can turn them into new plants, effectively reducing food waste.
• Environmentally Friendly: Growing your own vegetables at home lowers your carbon footprint and reduces reliance on store-bought produce.
• Engaging and Educational: Watching new plants grow from scraps is a fun and informative activity for individuals and families alike.

Although this method won't entirely replace your grocery store trips, it’s an excellent way to supplement your fresh produce supply while practicing sustainable gardening.

20 Vegetables You Can Grow Again Using Kitchen Scraps

Here are 20 vegetables that can be regrown at home, along with guidance on how to cultivate each one:

Green onions are among the simplest vegetables to regrow. After using the green parts, save the white bulb with roots intact.

How to Grow:

• Submerge the root end in a glass of water.
• Place it in a sunny location and refresh the water every few days.
• Within a week, new green shoots will emerge.

Lettuce regenerates quickly from its core, letting you enjoy fresh leaves repeatedly.

How to Grow:

• Set the base of a lettuce head in a shallow dish of water, with the cut side facing upward.
• Position it in a sunny spot and change the water every two days.
• New leaves will sprout from the center within a week.

The base of celery can regrow new stalks, making it another easy option.

How to Grow:

• Place the bottom of a celery bunch in a dish of water, cut side up.
• In a few days, new growth will appear from the middle.
• Transfer it to soil for continued development after about a week.

While you can’t regrow whole carrots, the leafy tops can be regrown and used in soups or salads.

How to Grow:

• Cut off the tops and place them in a shallow container of water.
• Green tops will start growing in a few days.

Garlic can regrow to produce both green shoots and new bulbs.

How to Grow:

• Plant individual garlic cloves in soil with the pointed end upward, lightly covering them with soil.
• Water regularly, and green shoots will sprout within weeks. The bulb will continue to develop.

A small piece of ginger root can grow into an entire new plant.

How to Grow:

• Place a piece of ginger with growth buds facing upward in moist soil.
• Keep it in a warm spot with indirect light, watering sparingly.

Sprouted potatoes can grow into new plants that yield fresh potatoes.

How to Grow:

• Cut the sprouted potato into sections, ensuring each piece has at least one sprout.
• Let the pieces dry for a day, then plant them in soil with the sprouts facing up.

Sweet potatoes can be regrown from sprouted ends to produce slips for planting.

How to Grow:

• Place a sweet potato half in water, cut side down.
• Once slips appear, remove them and plant them in soil.

Basil can be propagated from cuttings to create an endless supply of herbs.

How to Grow:

• Submerge basil stems in water and set them in a sunny spot.
• Once roots form, plant the stems in soil.

Like basil, cilantro can be regrown from cuttings.

How to Grow:

• Place cilantro stems in a glass of water.
• Transfer them to soil once roots have developed.

Leeks regrow from their root ends, producing new green stalks.

How to Grow:

• Submerge the white base of a leek in water, roots down.
• Position it in a sunny location, and watch new shoots grow.

Romaine lettuce, like other greens, regrows from the base.

How to Grow:

• Set the bottom of a romaine head in water. After a week, transfer it to soil for continued growth.

Onions regrow from their bulbs.

How to Grow:

• Place the base of an onion in soil with the roots facing downward.
• Water regularly for new growth.

Fennel regrows from its base, offering fresh green shoots.

How to Grow:

• Place the base of the fennel bulb in water and transfer it to soil once new growth appears.

Bok choy grows quickly from its base.

How to Grow:

• Submerge the bottom of bok choy in water.
• Once shoots appear, plant it in soil.

Turnip tops produce fresh greens.

How to Grow:

• Place the tops in water to grow edible greens.

Beet tops can regrow greens for salads or cooking.

How to Grow:

• Place beet tops in a shallow dish of water.

Kale stems can regrow with proper care.

How to Grow:

• Submerge stems in water, and transfer to soil after new shoots form.

Cabbage can regrow fresh leaves.

How to Grow:

• Place the root end in water, and transfer to soil once growth starts.

Like green onions, scallions regrow rapidly.

How to Grow:

• Submerge the white root end in water and keep it in sunlight.

Regrowing vegetables from scraps is a straightforward and environmentally friendly way to enjoy fresh produce while reducing waste.