Here are 20 vegetables you can re-grow from kitchen scraps, turning leftovers into a sustainable mini-garden. These can often be started in water or soil right on your windowsill or patio.
🌱 Leafy Greens
- Romaine Lettuce – Place the base in shallow water; new leaves sprout from the center.
- Celery – Regrows from the base in water; transplant to soil for full growth.
- Green Onions (Scallions) – Place white roots in water; they regrow fast.
- Leeks – Just like green onions, regrow from the white root ends.
- Bok Choy – Base regrows in water; later transplant into soil.
🧅 Bulbs & Roots
- Garlic – Plant individual cloves; each can grow into a new bulb.
- Onions – Regrow from root ends or plant sprouted bulbs.
- Shallots – Like onions and garlic; plant separated cloves.
- Fennel – Regrows from the base in shallow water.
- Ginger – Plant a chunk with “eyes”; takes longer but will sprout new shoots.
🥔 Tubers
- Potatoes – Let sprouted “eyes” dry, then plant in soil.
- Sweet Potatoes – Root slips (sprouts) in water, then plant in soil.
- Taro – Grows from tubers in warm, humid conditions.
🥕 Stems & Tops
- Carrot Tops – Tops regrow greens (not new carrots), great for garnishes.
- Beet Tops – Greens will regrow; roots won’t re-form.
- Turnip Tops – Like beets and carrots, leafy greens regrow from tops.
- Radish Tops – Will regrow greens and possibly small radish roots.
🫑 Fruit-Seeded Veggies
- Peppers (Bell or Chili) – Dry and plant seeds from ripe peppers.
- Tomatoes – Scoop out seeds, ferment briefly, then dry and plant.
- Pumpkin or Squash – Clean seeds and plant in rich soil.
🔁 Tips for Success
- Start most in clean water near sunlight.
- Change the water every 1–2 days to prevent rot.
- Once roots or shoots form, transplant into soil for full growth.
Would you like a printable chart or visual guide for your kitchen or garden?