21 Vegetables You Can Regrow from Scraps for an Endless Kitchen Garden

Did you know you can grow fresh vegetables from your kitchen scraps? Instead of throwing away food scraps, you can regrow many common vegetables with just water, soil, and sunlight. This sustainable approach reduces waste, saves money, and ensures a constant supply of fresh produce. Whether you have a small garden, a balcony, or a sunny windowsill, these vegetables can easily be regrown at home.

1. Green Onions for a Constant Supply

Green onions are one of the easiest vegetables to regrow from scraps. Simply place the white root ends in a glass of water, ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight. New green shoots will emerge within days and be ready for harvesting in a few weeks. Change the water every few days to keep the roots healthy. Once they have strong roots, transfer them to soil for longer-lasting results. With regular trimming, you can have an endless supply of green onions.

2. Lettuce from the Stem

Instead of discarding the bottom of a lettuce head, place it in a shallow water dish. Keep it in a sunny spot and change the water every couple of days. Within a week, new leaves will start growing from the center. While regrown lettuce won’t reach the full size of the original, it provides fresh, tender leaves for salads and sandwiches. Once established, transplanting into the soil will yield even better growth. This method works well with romaine and butterhead lettuce.

3. Celery for Fresh Stalks

Celery can easily be regrown by placing its base in a shallow water dish. Within a few days, leaves will start sprouting from the center. Keep it in a warm, sunny spot, and change the water regularly. Once roots develop, transfer them to the soil for continuous growth. Although regrown celery may be thinner than store-bought, it retains the same crisp and refreshing taste. It’s a great way to extend the life of your groceries.

4. Carrot Tops for Edible Greens

While you can’t regrow full carrots, their tops produce delicious, edible greens. Place the carrot tops in a shallow water dish with the cut side facing down. New leafy greens will sprout within a week and can be used in salads, soups, or as a garnish. For stronger growth, transfer them to soil and keep them well-watered. Carrot greens taste slightly earthy and can even be blended into pesto. It’s a great way to use every part of the carrot.

5. Basil from Cuttings

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to propagate from scraps. Place a fresh basil cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the leaves stay above the waterline. Keep it in a sunny location, and roots will begin to form in about a week. Once the roots are a few inches long, plant the cutting in soil for continuous basil production. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth. This method also works with mint, cilantro, and other soft-stemmed herbs.

6. Garlic from a Single Clove

When planted correctly, a single garlic clove can grow into an entire bulb. Choose a clove with an intact base and plant it in soil, pointed side up. Keep it in a sunny location and water regularly. Green shoots, known as garlic scapes, will sprout and can be harvested for cooking. Over time, the clove will develop into a full garlic bulb, ready for harvesting in a few months. This method ensures a continuous supply of homegrown garlic.

7. Ginger from a Root Piece

Ginger is easy to regrow if you have a fresh piece with visible buds. Plant the root in a pot with well-draining soil, ensuring the buds face upward. Water lightly and keep it in a warm, humid environment. New shoots will emerge in a few weeks, and the root will continue expanding underground. Ginger takes several months to mature but rewards you with a fresh, aromatic harvest. Harvest only what you need and keep the rest growing for continuous supply.

8. Potatoes from Peelings

Potatoes can be regrown from peelings with at least one or two "eyes." Let the cut pieces dry for a day, then plant them in well-draining soil with the eyes facing up. Water consistently, and shoots will emerge in a few weeks. Over time, new potatoes will develop underground and be ready for harvest in a few months. Unlike sweet potatoes, which grow from slips (sprouted vines), regular potatoes grow directly from tubers, producing multiple new potatoes from a single piece.

9. Leeks from Root Ends

Leeks can be regrown just like green onions by placing the root end in a glass of water. New shoots will emerge within days and continue growing if transferred to soil. Leeks require plenty of sunlight and regular watering to develop thick stalks. While they may take longer to mature, they provide a continuous harvest. Trim the outer leaves as needed while allowing the center to keep growing. This method is a great way to extend the life of store-bought leeks.

10. Cabbage from Its Base

Cabbage can be regrown by placing the bottom core in a shallow water dish. New leaves will begin forming from the center within a few days. To encourage fuller growth, transplant the cabbage into the soil once the roots develop. While it won’t grow into a full head, the new leaves are perfect for fresh salads and stir-fries. Cabbage forms a denser, compact leaf structure, unlike bok choy, which grows in loose clusters.

11. Sweet Potatoes for Continuous Growth

Sweet potatoes can be regrown by placing a whole sweet potato or a section in water until it sprouts. Once sprouts (called slips) are a few inches long, remove them and plant them in the soil. With consistent watering and warmth over several months, they will develop into new sweet potatoes. This method allows you to grow multiple plants from a single sweet potato. Sweet potato vines can also be used as an ornamental plant. Keep the soil loose for the best yield.

12. Peppers from Their Seeds

Peppers, including bell and chili peppers, can be regrown from their seeds. Dry the seeds and plant them in a warm, sunny location with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist, and seedlings will sprout in a few weeks. Transplant them into larger containers or garden beds for better growth. Peppers thrive in warm climates and produce fruit throughout the growing season. This method allows you to regrow a variety of peppers with minimal effort.

13. Onions from Scraps

Onions can be regrown by planting the root end directly in the soil. New green shoots will appear within a few weeks, and the bulb will slowly regrow. Keep the soil moist and provide plenty of sunlight for healthy growth. While they may not grow as large as store-bought onions, they will still produce flavorful bulbs. Harvest once the tops begin to yellow and fall over. This method works best with yellow, white, and red onions.

14. Turnips for Fresh Greens and Roots

Turnips can be regrown from their tops, producing fresh greens and sometimes even new root growth. Place the cut top in a shallow water dish, and new leaves will sprout in a few days. For better growth, transfer to soil and keep it well-watered. The greens are rich in nutrients and can be used in salads or sautéed. While root regrowth is not guaranteed, some varieties will develop new turnips. This method also works with rutabagas.

15. Fennel from the Base

Fennel bulbs can be regrown by placing the base in a water dish. Within a few days, new green shoots will appear from the center. Once roots develop, transplant them into the soil for continuous growth. The fronds can be harvested for cooking while the bulb slowly regrows. Keep the soil moist and place it in a sunny spot. This method provides a steady supply of fennel for culinary use.

16. Radishes for Continuous Greens

Radishes can be regrown from their tops to produce fresh, peppery greens, even if the root itself won’t regenerate. Place the cut top in a shallow water dish, ensuring the bottom stays submerged. Within a few days, new leafy greens will sprout from the center. These greens are nutrient-rich and can be used in salads, stir-fries, or as a garnish. For stronger growth, transfer them to soil and keep them well-watered.

17. Napa Cabbage for Fresh Leaves

Napa cabbage can be restarted from its base in water, similar to regular cabbage and lettuce. Place the trimmed base in a shallow dish with water and set it in a sunny location. New leaves will emerge from the center within a few days. Once roots develop, transplant them into the soil for better growth and a more substantial harvest. Napa cabbage is great for stir-fries, soups, and kimchi, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen garden.

18. Pineapples from the Top

Pineapples can be regrown from the leafy top of the fruit. Cut off the top, let it dry for a day, then plant it in the soil. Water lightly and keep it in a sunny, warm location. Over time, roots will develop, and new growth will appear. While it takes patience, a pineapple plant can produce fruit in two to three years. This method is a fun way to grow a tropical fruit at home.

19. Asparagus from Cuttings

Asparagus can be regrown from root cuttings, although it takes time to establish. Plant a healthy cutting in well-draining soil and keep it watered. Shoots will emerge over the months and grow into edible stalks. Asparagus takes a couple of years to produce a full harvest but can last for decades once established. This method is ideal for long-term gardening. Provide plenty of sunlight for strong growth.

20. Mushrooms from Stem Butts

Mushrooms can be regrown using the base of their stems. Place stem butts in a container with moist soil and keep them in a dark, humid space. Over time, new mushrooms will sprout from the mycelium. This method works best with oysters and button mushrooms. Mist regularly to keep the soil moist. Growing mushrooms at home ensures a fresh and organic supply.

21. Pumpkins from Their Seeds

Pumpkins can be regrown by saving and drying their seeds before planting them in rich soil. Keep them in a sunny location and water regularly. Seedlings will emerge within a couple of weeks and grow into sprawling vines. Pumpkins take several months to mature, but each plant can yield multiple fruits. This method also works for squash and gourds. A small pumpkin patch can provide an abundant harvest.

Turn Kitchen Scraps into a Thriving Garden

Regrowing vegetables from scraps is an easy and rewarding way to enjoy fresh produce while reducing food waste. By using simple techniques like water propagation and replanting in soil, you can create a sustainable and budget-friendly kitchen garden. Many of these vegetables will continue producing new growth, providing an ongoing harvest with minimal effort. With a little patience and care, your kitchen scraps can transform into a thriving garden, offering fresh flavors straight from your home.