Growing green onions on your countertop is an easy and space-efficient way to have fresh herbs on hand year-round. Whether you’re a beginner gardener or simply want a convenient method for growing your own food indoors, this guide will help you get started with minimal effort and equipment.
1. Choose Your Green Onions
You can grow green onions from store-bought bunches or from seeds. If you’re using store-bought green onions, you’ll be regrowing them from the white roots left over. Just make sure to pick fresh bunches with good white root ends to ensure success.
2. Prepare the Containers
You’ll need a container or small jar with enough space to hold the roots of the green onions. The container should have enough depth to keep the roots submerged in water.
- For jars: Any small jar or glass cup works well.
- For containers: Shallow containers like small plastic trays or ceramic dishes work best.
Make sure the container is clean to avoid contamination or mold.
3. Add Water
Place the white root ends of the green onions in the container and fill it with water, just covering the roots. Be sure that the water level stays consistent, as the onions need to be submerged to grow.
4. Place in a Sunny Spot
Place the container on your countertop near a window that gets plenty of natural light. Green onions need about 6 hours of sunlight a day to thrive. If you don’t have enough natural light, you can use a grow light to supplement.
5. Change the Water Regularly
For the best growth, change the water every 2-3 days to keep it clean and prevent any buildup of bacteria. This will also help the onions grow faster.
6. Watch for Growth
After a few days, you’ll begin to notice new green shoots sprouting from the top. Within about 7-10 days, your green onions will be ready for harvesting, with fresh shoots reaching about 4-6 inches tall.
7. Harvesting the Green Onions
When your green onions reach the desired height, simply snip the tops with scissors or a knife, leaving about 1-2 inches of the white root at the base. The roots will continue to grow and can be regrown multiple times.
8. Replanting (Optional)
If you’d like to keep your green onions growing longer, you can replant them in soil once they have regrown to a few inches tall. This will allow for better growth in the long term, but it’s optional if you prefer to continue growing them in water.
Tips for Success:
- Water: Make sure the roots are submerged in water, but not the entire onion. Avoid letting the roots dry out.
- Sunlight: If you’re growing indoors, place the container near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights.
- Container Size: Choose a container large enough to fit several onions if you’re growing more than one bunch.
- Temperature: Green onions prefer a temperature between 55-75°F (13-24°C).
By following these simple steps, you can grow fresh green onions right on your countertop with minimal space and effort. Whether you’re cooking daily or just looking to add a little green to your kitchen, growing green onions indoors is a rewarding and easy project!