Veggies you can grow from scraps (and how to do it)

Want to grow your own food without buying seeds or seedlings? Start with your kitchen scraps.

That’s right … many common vegetables can grow from the scraps you usually toss. It’s an easy, low-cost way to dip your toes into gardening. Plus, it reduces food waste.

Whether you’re working with a backyard, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, here’s how to regrow veggies from scraps and what to expect.

1. Green onions

If you only try one veggie from this list, make it green onions. They’re fast, low-maintenance, and great for small spaces.

How to grow green onions (scallions) from scraps:

• Save the white root ends (1–2 inches).
• Place them in a jar with just enough water to cover the roots.
• Put the jar on a sunny windowsill.
• Change the water every 2–3 days.
• In 5–7 days, green shoots will appear.
• Once they're a few inches tall, you can snip and use them or transplant into soil for a longer harvest.

2. Celery

Don’t toss that celery base! With a bit of water and sunlight, it’ll regrow into a fresh, leafy plant that’s perfect for soups and snacks.

How to grow celery from scraps:

• Cut off the base of the celery (about 2 inches thick).
• Place it in a shallow bowl with water, cut side up.
• Keep it in a sunny spot and mist it occasionally.
• In about a week, new leaves will sprout from the center.
• After 1–2 weeks, plant it in soil with the new growth above the surface.
• Water regularly. Harvest in 4–5 months.

3. Romaine lettuce

You don’t need a garden bed to regrow romaine. With just the bottom of a head and a little patience, you’ll have fresh lettuce in no time.

How to grow lettuce from scraps:

• Keep the bottom 2–3 inches of the lettuce head.
• Put it in a shallow dish with water, cut side up.
• Set it near a window with indirect sunlight.
• Change the water every other day.
• Leaves will start to regrow in about a week.
• You can harvest baby greens or plant it in soil for a fuller head.

4. Carrot tops (For Greens, Not Roots)

While you can’t grow whole new carrots from the tops, you can grow carrot greens. They’re nutritious, flavorful, and a great way to use every part of the veggie.

How to grow carrots from scraps:

• Cut off the top 1 inch of the carrot.
• Place it cut side down in a shallow dish with water.
• Keep in a bright window.
• In a few days, greens will sprout.
• Use them in salads, pesto, or as a garnish.

5. Garlic

Sprouting garlic? Don’t throw it out! You can regrow it to produce tasty garlic greens—or let it mature into a whole new bulb.

How to grow garlic from scraps:

• Use a garlic clove that’s already sprouting.
• Plant it in soil, pointed end up, about 2 inches deep.
• Place in a sunny location and water regularly.
• Green shoots will appear—these are garlic scapes (they’re edible!).
• Full bulbs take several months to grow.

6. Potatoes

Have spud growing “eyes”? That’s the start of a new potato plant. With a bit of soil and patience, you can grow a whole batch.

How to grow potatoes from scraps:

• Use potatoes that have “eyes” (small sprouts).
• Cut into chunks with at least one eye per piece.
• Let the pieces dry for a day or two to prevent rot.
• Plant 4 inches deep in soil, eyes facing up.
• Water regularly. Mound soil over the plant as it grows.
• Harvest in 2–4 months when the plant dies back.

7. Leeks

Leeks grow just like green onions—and they’re just as simple to regrow. If you cook with them often, this trick is a game-changer.

How to grow leeks from scraps:

• Similar to green onions—save the white root base.
• Place in a jar with water, roots down.
• Set in a sunny spot and change the water every few days.
• New growth appears quickly.
• Transfer to soil if desired.

8. Basil, mint & other herbs

You can turn fresh herbs into potted plants with just a glass of water. This method works with basil, mint, oregano, and more.

How to grow herbs from scraps:

• Take a 4–6 inch stem cutting from a fresh bunch.
• Strip the leaves from the bottom half.
• Place in a glass of water and put it in a sunny window.
• Roots will develop in 1–2 weeks.
• Once roots are 2 inches long, plant in soil.
• Snip leaves often to encourage bushy growth.

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9. Onions & Shallots

Just like green onions, regular onions and shallots can regrow from their root ends. It’s a slow but rewarding process.

How to grow onions and scallions from scraps:

• Save the bottom 1 inch of the bulb with the roots (or use the whole thing).
• Place in a shallow dish of water, root side down.
• Keep in a sunny window and change the water every few days.
• Once roots and green shoots develop, plant in soil.
• Onions can take a few months to mature fully.

10. Asparagus

Asparagus is a long game. It won’t regrow overnight, but if you’re patient, it can keep producing for years.

How to grow asparagus from scraps:

• Grab an asparagus crown or two (the stalk that you would normally eat). Make sure it is firm, has a healthy root end and a good amount of leaves on the top. 
• Plant the stalk directly in deep, rich soil with good drainage.
• Water regularly and keep in full sun.
• Expect to wait. It can take 2 to 3 years before the first full harvest but after that, it’ll keep coming back!

11. Broccoli & Cauliflower

These cool-weather crops can regrow small florets from the leftover base.

How to grow broccoli and cauliflower from scraps:

• Save the stalk with a few inches of the base.
• Place in a shallow dish of water, base side down.
• Keep in a bright spot and change the water often.
• Tiny florets will sprout from the sides.
• For bigger yields, transplant to soil.

12. Beets

Like carrots, you won’t get new beets from scraps, but you can regrow beet greens, which are great for salads and sautes.

How to grow beets from scraps:

• Save the top inch of the beet.
• Place cut side down in shallow water.
• Set in a sunny window and change water often.
• Greens will sprout in a week or two.

13. Cabbage

A cabbage core can regrow fresh leaves if you give it a bit of TLC.

How to grow cabbage from scraps:

• Keep the base (about 2 inches).
• Place in a shallow dish of water, cut side up.
• Put in bright, indirect light and change the water regularly.
• New leaves will grow from the center.
• Transfer to soil for a larger head.

14. Radishes

Similar to beets and carrots, radish greens are what you’ll regrow – not the root itself.

How to grow radishes from scraps:

• Save the top part of the radish.
• Place cut side down in shallow water.
• Keep in a bright spot.
• In a few days, greens will appear.

15. Bok Choy

This one is super satisfying to watch grow.

How to grow bok choy from scraps:

• Cut the base off the bok choy (2 inches or so).
• Set it in a shallow dish with water, cut side up.
• Place near sunlight and change water every 2 days.
• New leaves will sprout in a week.
• Transfer to soil for a bigger harvest.

16. Rutabaga

Rutabagas can regrow their leafy tops, which are edible and great in stir-fries.

How to grow rutabaga from scraps:

• Save the top inch of the root.
• Place in shallow water, cut side down.
• Keep in a sunny window.
• Leaves will sprout in a week or two.

17. Sweet Potato

Grow your own slips (shoots) to start a new sweet potato crop.

How to grow sweet potatoes from scraps:

• Cut a sweet potato in half.
• Stick toothpicks in the sides and balance over a glass of water, cut side down.
• Place in a warm, sunny spot.
• Roots and sprouts ("slips") will appear in 2–3 weeks.
• Once slips are 5–6 inches long, twist off and plant in soil.

Tips for success

Before you get started, keep a few things in mind to give your veggies the best chance to thrive.

• Clean containers: Always use clean jars or bowls to prevent mold.
• Change water regularly: Fresh water = healthy roots.
• Sunlight matters: Most scraps need 6–8 hours of light per day.
• Be patient: Some veggies sprout quickly. Others take time.
• Use soil for better yields: Water regrowth works short term, but planting in soil extends life and improves results.

Growing veggies from scraps is fun, sustainable, and surprisingly satisfying. You don’t need fancy tools or a green thumb. Just your kitchen waste, a bit of light, and some patience.

Start small. See what works for you. And enjoy the process of turning leftovers into leafy, edible life.

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