Learn to regrow 10 vegetables in water with Ashley Scott’s expert tips. Save scraps, grow fresh veggies, and enjoy sustainable gardening at home!
Hey there, garden buddies! I’m Ashley Scott, and I’ve been playing in the dirt for over ten years now. From my cozy backyard in California to messing around with jars on my kitchen counter, I’ve learned a thing or two about growing food. One of my absolute favorite tricks? Regrowing vegetables in water. It’s such a simple way to turn kitchen scraps into fresh goodies, save a few bucks, and feel like a gardening rockstar. Whether you’ve got a big yard or just a sunny windowsill, this is for you. Today, I’m sharing my top 10 vegetables you can regrow in water, sprinkled with stories from my own garden and tips to make it work for you. Grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in!
Why I Love Regrowing Vegetables in Water
Picture this: I’m in my tiny apartment years ago, dreaming of a garden but stuck with a balcony the size of a doormat. I started experimenting with hydroponic gardening after stumbling across some tips online, and it was a game-changer. No soil, no fuss—just water, a bit of sunlight, and some patience. It’s perfect for folks like us in the US dealing with small spaces or unpredictable weather. Plus, it’s a win for the planet—less waste, more organic veggies right at home.
I’ve had so much fun setting up little water jars with my nieces, watching their eyes light up as roots sprout. It’s like a science project that feeds you! If you’re new to gardening, check out our beginner gardening tips on USA Garden Hub to ease you in. Ready to meet the 10 vegetables you can regrow in water? Here we go!
1. Green Onions: The Easiest Way to Start
Green onions are my ride-or-die for regrowing in water. They’re so forgiving, even if you’re a total newbie. I remember chopping up a bunch for tacos, sticking the white ends in a glass of water, and boom—new greens popped up in days. It felt like magic!
Here’s the deal:
- Trim the green tops, keeping about 2 inches of the white part with roots.
- Pop them in a small glass with just enough water to cover the roots.
- Set it on a sunny windowsill and swap the water every couple of days.
My trick? If they grow too tall, snip the tops for cooking and let them keep going. I’ve had one bunch last months! Want more herb-like hacks? Peek at our indoor herb gardening guide.
Good to know: The University of Maryland Extension has solid tips on keeping scallions happy in water.
2. Celery: Fresh Stalks from Scraps
Celery is a star in the 10 vegetables you can regrow in water. I used to toss limp stalks from the fridge, but now I regrow them for crisp salads or cozy soups. One summer, I got a steady supply from just one base!
Try this:
- Slice off the bottom 2 inches of a celery bunch.
- Set it in a shallow bowl of water, roots down.
- Change the water daily, and you’ll see new growth in a week.
Here’s something I learned: Once roots start, you can keep it in water for quick snacks or move it to soil for bigger stalks. I love pairing celery with tomatoes in my garden—check out our vegetable companion planting chart for more combos.
3. Lettuce: Fresh Leaves, No Garden Needed
Lettuce, especially romaine, is a gem for regrowing vegetables from scraps. A few years back, my outdoor lettuce got munched by bugs, so I tried regrowing a store-bought head indoors. It was a lifesaver for fresh sandwiches!
How to do it:
- Keep the core after using the outer leaves.
- Place it in a dish with a little water at the bottom.
- Put it in a spot with soft sunlight—new leaves show up fast.
My take: You won’t get a full head, but enough for a salad or two. Too much sun can make it droop, so keep it gentle. Love greens? Our growing salad greens indoors guide has more.
Check out: The Old Farmer’s Almanac for extra lettuce regrowing pointers.
4. Bok Choy: Crunchy Greens in a Jar
Bok choy is a fun one for regrowing in water, especially if you love stir-fries like I do. I got into it while trying out Asian recipes, and now it’s a regular on my counter.
Here’s how:
- Cut the base about 1-2 inches from the bottom.
- Set it in water, refreshing it every few days.
- You’ll see new leaves in a week—perfect for cooking.
Real talk: Mine once grew too fast in a hot kitchen, so keep it cool, around 65°F. Want more Asian-inspired veggies? Our Asian vegetable gardening tips are a great read.
5. Carrot Tops: Greens, Not Carrots, But So Cool
Carrots won’t regrow full roots, but the tops are edible and fun to watch sprout. They’re a quirky pick in the 10 vegetables you can regrow in water. I use the greens in soups or as a garnish—it’s such a smart way to use scraps.
Steps:
- Cut about an inch off the top of a carrot.
- Place it cut-side down in a shallow dish of water.
- Greens will pop up; keep the water fresh to avoid funk.
From my garden: My nieces love this one—it’s like a mini forest. It’s more for fun than big harvests, but so worth it. Learn more about roots in our root vegetable growing basics.
Resource: The Royal Horticultural Society explains carrot top uses well.
6. Garlic Sprouts: A Flavorful Surprise
Got sprouting garlic? Don’t toss it! Garlic greens are awesome for regrowing in water and taste like mild chives. I started this when I found forgotten cloves in my pantry.
How it works:
- Take a sprouting clove and set it in a small cup of water.
- Roots and greens grow fast—snip as you need.
- Use in scrambled eggs or stir-fries.
My tip: They’re low-maintenance, but change the water to keep it clean. For all things garlic, see our garlic planting and harvesting guide.
7. Leeks: Green Onions’ Bolder Cousin
Leeks are like green onions but with a punchier flavor, making them a solid pick for regrowing vegetables in water. I tried this after a farmers’ market splurge and was hooked.
Easy steps:
- Save the bottom 2 inches with roots.
- Submerge in water, swapping it out often.
- New growth shows up in about a week.
Lesson learned: Leeks like a bit more water than onions. For more onion family tips, check our allium growing tips.
More info: Cornell University has great regrowth advice.
8. Fennel: Fancy Fronds for Free
Fennel’s bulb base gives you tasty fronds when regrown in water. It’s a bit fancy for the 10 vegetables you can regrow in water, but I love it for teas or salads. I started after buying too much for a recipe.
How to:
- Cut the bulb base.
- Place in water; roots and shoots come quick.
- Snip fronds as they grow.
My advice: Keep it in a cooler spot. More herb ideas? Our herb and spice garden ideas has you covered.
9. Cabbage: Tiny Leaves, Big Wins
Cabbage cores can sprout baby leaves in water, perfect for a quick coleslaw. It’s an underrated gem in regrowing vegetables from scraps. I got into this during a winter when I craved fresh greens.
Try it:
- Keep the core.
- Set in shallow water.
- Small leaves grow; keep it moist.
My hack: A drop of liquid fertilizer in the water helps once roots form. See our cabbage cultivation basics for more.
Helpful link: The Master Gardener Program covers cabbage regrowth.
10. Beet Tops: Nutrient-Packed Greens
Beet tops are a healthy bonus in the 10 vegetables you can regrow in water. I grow beets in my garden, and regrowing tops stretches the harvest.
Steps:
- Cut the top off a beet.
- Place in water.
- Greens sprout; toss them in salads.
From me: Watch for rot—change water often. More on beets in our beet growing guide.
Tips and Tricks from My Messy Kitchen
Regrowing vegetables in water is such a cool way to cut waste and grow organic veggies. It’s boosted my confidence as a gardener and saved me from tossing scraps. But I’ve made mistakes, like forgetting to change water (hello, slime!) or crowding too many scraps in one jar.
Avoid these:
- Stale water: Swap it every 2-3 days.
- Harsh sun: Stick to bright, indirect light.
- Overpacking: Give each veggie room to breathe.
For more fixes, our common gardening mistakes page is a lifesaver.
Extra reads: USDA’s sustainable gardening and Epic Gardening’s hydroponics basics are gold.
Let’s Keep Growing Together
So, there you go—my favorite 10 vegetables you can regrow in water, straight from my kitchen to yours. It’s such a fun, easy way to bring a little garden magic indoors. Try one (or all!) and see what grows. Got questions or cool regrowth stories? Share them below! And don’t miss our full gardening blog or sustainable gardening resources on USA Garden Hub for more ideas. Happy growing, friends—here’s to fresh veggies and greener days!
