25 SCRAPS YOU CAN REGROW FOR FOOD FOREVER

25 SCRAPS YOU CAN REGROW FOR FOOD FOREVER

Most people throw away food that could keep feeding them.

A handful of roots, a few seeds, or a leftover stem can turn into fresh herbs, greens, or vegetables with almost no effort. You don’t need a big garden. A sunny windowsill and a few small pots are enough to get started. Not only did I have fun experimenting with this project in my own kitchen, but it’s also a fun, educational project to include your kids, or grandkids, that will teach them a life skill they can use in the future!

Here are 25 kitchen scraps you can regrow, plus simple instructions for each. So, go grab your coffee and bring your trowel and let’s get ready to dig in to this week’s topic! Let’s go!

1. Green Onions (Scallions)

How to regrow:
Place the white root ends in a glass with about an inch of water. Keep them in sunlight and change the water every 2–3 days.
What to expect: New green shoots in 3–5 days. Snip what you need and let them regrow again.

2. Lettuce

How to regrow:
Set the bottom 1–2 inches of the head in a shallow bowl with water. Keep it near a bright window.
Next step: Once new leaves form in the center (about a week), transplant into soil for stronger growth.

3. Celery

How to regrow:
Place the base in shallow water. Change water every couple of days.
After sprouting: When new leaves appear in the middle, move it to soil and cover the roots.

4. Bok Choy

How to regrow:
Treat it like lettuce. Place the base in water and keep in bright light.
Tip: Transfer to soil once roots develop for full-sized leaves.

5. Cabbage

How to regrow:
Place the core in a shallow dish of water.
Important: It may not form a full head again, but you’ll get fresh outer leaves for cooking.

6. Leeks

How to regrow:
Stand the white root end in water.
Maintenance: Change water regularly. Plant in soil if you want thicker stalks.

7. Fennel

How to regrow:
Put the bulb base in water just like celery.
Result: New green fronds will grow from the center.

8. Garlic

How to regrow:
Plant individual cloves root-side down in soil. Cover lightly and water.
Harvest: In several months, you’ll have a full bulb. You can also trim young garlic greens earlier.

9. Onions

How to regrow:
Plant the root end directly in soil. Keep it moist but not soggy.
Outcome: It will sprout green shoots and eventually form new bulbs.

10. Shallots

How to regrow:
Plant a single shallot in soil with the tip just above the surface.
Bonus: One shallot can multiply into several.

11. Carrot Tops

How to regrow:
Place the top inch of the carrot in shallow water.
Note: You won’t regrow the root, but you’ll get edible carrot greens for salads or pesto.

12. Beet Tops

How to regrow:
Keep the top portion in water until greens appear.
Use: The leafy tops are edible and nutritious.

13. Turnip Tops

How to regrow:
Place the top in shallow water and move to soil once leaves form.
Harvest: Use the greens in soups or sautés.

14. Radish Tops

How to regrow:
Plant the top directly in soil.
What grows: Leafy greens, not new radish bulbs.

15. Potatoes

How to regrow:
Cut potatoes into chunks with at least one “eye” per piece. Let them dry for a day.
Plant 3–4 inches deep in soil.
Care: Hill soil around the stems as they grow.

16. Sweet Potatoes

How to regrow:
Suspend half the sweet potato in water using toothpicks.
Next step: When slips (sprouts) form, twist them off and plant in soil.

17. Tomatoes

How to regrow:
Scoop seeds from a ripe tomato and plant them directly in moist soil.
Tip: Thin seedlings once they sprout.

18. Peppers

How to regrow:
Dry seeds from inside the pepper. Plant them in soil about ¼ inch deep.
Sunlight: They need warmth and bright light.

19. Basil

How to regrow:
Place a 4–6 inch cutting in water.
Planting: Once roots reach 2 inches, transfer to soil.

20. Mint

How to regrow:
Put cut stems in water until roots form.
Warning: Plant in a container. Mint spreads aggressively.

21. Cilantro

How to regrow:
Root stems in water.
Note: Move to soil quickly, as cilantro prefers growing in dirt.

22. Rosemary

How to regrow:
Take a fresh cutting and remove lower leaves. Place in water or moist soil.
Patience: Roots can take a few weeks.

23. Thyme

How to regrow:
Place small cuttings in moist soil. Keep lightly watered until established.

24. Pineapple

How to regrow:
Twist off the leafy top. Let it dry for a day.
Plant in well-draining soil.
Reality: It may take 1–2 years to produce fruit, but it will grow.

25. Avocado

How to regrow:
Insert toothpicks into the pit and suspend it over water with the bottom half submerged.
Next step: Once roots and a stem form, plant in soil.

A Few Simple Rules for Success

• Change water every few days to prevent rot.
• Use bright, indirect sunlight.
• Move plants to soil once roots are strong.
• Be patient. Some grow in days. Others take months.

You won’t become fully self-sufficient overnight. But these scraps can reduce waste, stretch your grocery budget, and give you fresh food again and again.

And it all starts with what you almost threw away.