Stop Tossing These “Scraps” — 7 Foods You Can Regrow Indoors (No Backyard Needed!)
If you’ve ever looked at the ends of green onions or a lettuce base and thought, “Surely there’s still life in this…” — you’re right.
Even without a backyard, you can grow fresh greens and herbs from everyday kitchen scraps using nothing more than a sunny window, a glass jar, and a little water. It’s budget-friendly, surprisingly fun, and one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into home growing.
Below are 7 foods you can regrow indoors, plus quick tips to help them thrive.
7 Foods You Can Regrow From Kitchen Scraps
1) Lettuce (Romaine, Butterhead, Leaf Lettuce)
What to save: The bottom base (about 1–2 inches)
How to regrow it:
- Place the lettuce base in a shallow dish with a small amount of water.
- Keep it near a bright window.
- Refresh the water every day or two.
What you’ll get: New leaves from the center
Best tip: Once it starts growing strongly, transplant it into soil for longer-lasting regrowth.
2) Green Onions / Scallions
What to save: The white root end (about 1–2 inches)
How to regrow them:
- Stand the roots in a jar with just enough water to cover the roots.
- Place in a sunny spot.
- Change the water every few days.
What you’ll get: Fast regrowth—often within days
Harvest tip: Snip the green tops as needed and leave the roots to keep producing.
3) Celery
What to save: The bottom “butt” of the bunch
How to regrow it:
- Place the celery base in a shallow bowl with a little water.
- Set it in bright light.
- Once you see roots and new growth, transplant into soil.
What you’ll get: New stalks over time (soil helps a lot)
Best tip: Celery likes consistent moisture—don’t let it dry out.
4) Garlic (For Garlic Greens)
What to save: A garlic clove (or cloves) that are still firm
How to regrow it:
- Plant a clove pointy-side up in a small pot of soil.
- Keep in a sunny window and water lightly.
What you’ll get: Garlic greens (like mild chives) that you can snip and use
Kitchen use: Great in eggs, soups, stir-fries, and salads.
5) Basil (From a Cutting)
What to save: A fresh basil stem (cutting), ideally 4–6 inches long
How to regrow it:
- Remove leaves from the lower half of the stem.
- Place the stem in a glass of water.
- Once roots form, pot it in soil.
What you’ll get: A full basil plant if you keep pinching it back
Best tip: Regular trimming encourages basil to grow bushier.
6) Carrot Tops (For Greens, Not New Carrots)
What to save: The top 1 inch of the carrot
How to regrow it:
- Place the carrot top cut-side down in a shallow dish with a little water.
- Keep it in bright light and refresh water regularly.
What you’ll get: Feathery greens that are fun (and edible)
Note: You won’t grow a new full-sized carrot this way—but the greens make a great garnish.
7) Ginger
What to save: A piece of ginger with visible “eyes” (buds)
How to regrow it:
- Plant ginger in a wide pot with soil, buds facing up.
- Cover lightly and keep the soil slightly moist.
- Place somewhere warm and bright.
What you’ll get: A longer-term project, but very rewarding
Best tip: Ginger loves warmth—growth speeds up in spring and summer.
Quick Success Tips (So Your Scraps Don’t Get Sad)
- Bright light matters. A sunny windowsill is ideal.
- Change water regularly. Stagnant water can cause rot.
- Don’t drown them. Most scraps need shallow water at first.
- Soil = long-term success. Water regrowth is great to start, but soil helps plants stay productive longer.
- Be patient. Some regrow in days (green onions), others take weeks (ginger).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I regrow these year-round?
Yes—indoors you can do this anytime, as long as you have decent light. In darker months, a simple grow light can help.
Are these “as good as” store-bought produce?
For quick greens (onions, lettuce, garlic greens), absolutely. For bigger regrowth (celery, ginger), soil and time make a big difference.
When should I move scraps from water to soil?
Once you see healthy new growth and/or roots forming, transplanting gives the best chance for long-term success.
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
