Regrowing vegetables and herbs from kitchen scraps is a fun, sustainable, and budget-friendly way to reduce waste and enjoy fresh produce at home. Here’s a list of 12 plants you can easily regrow using leftovers.
1. Green Onions
- How: Place the white root ends in a glass of water with roots submerged.
- Care: Change water every 2–3 days and watch them regrow within a week.
- Use: Soups, salads, stir-fries.
2. Lettuce
- How: Put the base of a lettuce head in a shallow dish of water.
- Care: Keep in sunlight and replace water every few days. Leaves will regrow in 1–2 weeks.
- Use: Sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
3. Celery
- How: Place the base of celery in a shallow bowl of water.
- Care: After new growth appears, transplant it into soil for continuous regrowth.
- Use: Soups, stocks, and snacks.
4. Garlic Sprouts
- How: Place a garlic clove in a shallow dish with a little water.
- Care: Grow the green sprouts in sunlight.
- Use: Garlic greens as a mild garnish or flavor enhancer.
5. Carrot Tops
- How: Submerge the top of a carrot in a shallow dish of water.
- Care: Place in a sunny spot; greens will regrow in a week.
- Use: Add carrot greens to soups or pesto.
6. Basil
- How: Place basil cuttings with a few leaves in water.
- Care: Keep in sunlight; roots will grow in 1–2 weeks. Plant in soil afterward.
- Use: Pesto, pasta, salads, and garnishes.
7. Cilantro
- How: Place stems in a glass of water.
- Care: Change water often, and once roots form, transplant into soil.
- Use: Tacos, curries, soups, and salads.
8. Potatoes
- How: Use potato chunks with “eyes” or sprouts.
- Care: Plant the chunk in soil with the sprouts facing up.
- Use: Roast, mash, or bake your regrown potatoes.
9. Sweet Potatoes
- How: Place half of a sweet potato in water, supported by toothpicks.
- Care: Roots and leaves will sprout. Transplant into soil.
- Use: Enjoy tubers or use greens in stir-fries.
10. Ginger
- How: Plant a piece of ginger root in soil with the buds facing up.
- Care: Keep the soil moist and place it in indirect sunlight.
- Use: Grated ginger for teas, marinades, and dishes.
11. Leeks
- How: Place the root end in a glass of water, just like green onions.
- Care: Change the water regularly. Regrowth happens quickly.
- Use: Soups, stews, or sautés.
12. Pineapple
- How: Remove the leafy crown and soak the base in water until roots form.
- Care: Transplant into soil for a longer-term project.
- Use: Fresh pineapple in desserts, juices, or as a snack.
Tips for Regrowing Success
- Water Maintenance: Change water every 2–3 days to prevent rot.
- Sunlight: Place regrowing scraps in a sunny location for healthy growth.
- Soil Transplant: For long-term growth, move scraps to nutrient-rich soil once roots form.
By regrowing veggies and herbs from scraps, you’ll save money, reduce waste, and enjoy fresh ingredients straight from your kitchen or garden!