Want to regrow your kitchen scraps? The new book, No-Waste Kitchen Gardening, by Katie-Elzer-Peters, shows you how to choose and prepare vegetables, fruits, and herbs for regrowing both indoors and outdoors. It’s edible recycling!
Find out which food scraps you can regrow right in your kitchen.
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for shopping sites. Other links may go to websites where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
The images in this post are used with permission from Quarto Publishing Group who also provided copies of No-Waste Kitchen Gardening by Katie-Elzer-Peters for me to review and you to enter to win (see below).
Regrow Your Leftover Greens, Pits, Seeds, and More
If you have spent any time on Pinterest or Facebook looking at food and garden ideas in recent years, you have probably seen images of veggies like celery or the shoots of green onions regrowing in a dish of water. Or carrot tops regrowing in soil. And herbs like basil rooting in water for more plants. This book shows you how it’s done—and, unlike some of the misleading info out there—there are specific tips for success.
Depending on what you grow, indoor regrowing may never produce much more than some garnishes or small amounts of new edibles, but the bigger purpose is having fun with experimental gardening while reducing food waste. Plus, it’s a great way to better understand how plants grow.
Plant life cycles are amazing and plant propagation is addictive—I’m not biased at all—and finding new life in beet tops or potato eyes is a great way to start. Experiment on your own or use it to entice the kids in your life into the world of growing plants.
Grab a copy of the book here at Amazon, learn how each plant grows, how to choose the right part of each plant to woo regrowth—and just start exploring the options. I’ve been doing this for several years now and its like the joy of houseplants with added intrigue and some garnishes on top!
Know Your Plant Parts for Regrowing
Regrowing vegetables can involve seeds, roots, stems, or leaves, that we may grow in water or soil, depending on what works best for the plant.
The book walks you through a basic understanding of plants and their growth stages so you can understand what parts to choose for regrowing.
Sometimes regrowth will yield more of the same, other times it brings something different. Green onions rooted at the base will produce more green onion shoots. But, harvested carrots and beets have finished their root-growing days (the main part we eat) so instead will produce more edible leafy greens on top instead.
39 Vegetables, Fruit, and Herbs You Can Regrow
This will give you an idea of some of the foods you can try regrowing.
Tips for Success
- Start with healthy, organic vegetables, fruits, or herbs.
- Avoid anything treated with growth retardants (used to prevent sprouting in grocery stores).
- Know which part of the plant can regrow.
- Provide the right growing conditions.
- Know what to expect. Some plants regrow entirely, others provide partial growth. Hybrids do not grow true to their parents.
Stems to Regrow in Water
The bottom of the vegetable must be intact for this to work.
- Bok choy
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Green onions
- Fennel
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lemongrass
- Lettuce and heading vegetables such as Napa cabbage
Herbs to Grow from Stem Cuttings
This has a list of herbs you can grow indoors. Check if yours is annual, biennial, or perennial so you know what to expect for lifespan.
These instructions for rooting softwood cuttings will work for herbs as well.
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme
Root Veggies to Regrow for Leafy Tops
Use veggies that still have their leaves attached. These roots will not regrow but the leaves will.
- Beets
- Carrots
- Parsnips
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Turnips
Tuberous Roots & Stems to Regrow Entire Plant
Start with an organic potato or yam that has not been treated with growth retardant. It’s the eyes that sprout new growth.
- Sweet potatoes
- Cassava
- Potatoes
- Yams
Rhizomes
- Ginger
- Turmeric
Bulbs, Stems and Modified Stems
When each of these are regrown indoors, they produce edible leaves only (like green onions), not bulbs as they do outdoors.
- Garlic
- Bulbing onions
- Shallots
Seeds
Be sure to look up specific instructions before growing these:
- Citrus | Lemon, lime, tangerine | If you manage to grow them to fruit, they will not be true to the parents, but it’s quite a feat after several years!
Exception: Satsuma tangerines grow similar to parent. - Hot and Red Peppers | Green peppers are immature fruit and don’t have ripe seeds—use others instead.
- Melons | Ferment the seeds first using this tutorial for saving tomato seeds.
- Microgreens (e.g. Coriander, Fennel, Lentils, Mustard, Sesame, Sunflowers) | This shows how to grow microgreens.
- Pumpkins and winter squash | Grow outdoors
- Tomatoes
Fruit trees – usually require stratification (a cold, moist period) or scarification (scratching the seed coat to allow moisture to penetrate it). And many need cross-pollination (more than one tree) to produce fruit.
- Apple and pear
- Stone fruits – cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, sour cherries
Bonus Items
These are worth trying but don’t expect fruit any time soon! If they ever do flower and fruit, it can take many years, but they still make good houseplants.
- Avocado | See How to Grow Avocado from Seed
- Pineapple | See How to Grow a Grocery Store Pineapple
The book has step-by-step instructions with photos for regrowing many of these plants.
Enter the Giveaway
Sweepstakes Rules
- No purchase necessary.
- Must be 21 years of age or older to enter.
- Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the continental United States.
- Entries must be received by February 15, 2019 at 11:59 pm EST.
- One entry per person and/or IP address.
- Prize: No-Waste Kitchen Gardening: Regrow Your Leftover Greens, Stalks, Seeds, and More, by Katie Elzer-Peters (book) with an approximate total retail value of $25US.
- Prize book title is subject to availability and may vary from the one shown.
- The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- Winner will be selected randomly from eligible entries and listed on this post after closing. Winner will have seven days to claim their prize.
- Canadian giveaway winners are required to answer a skill-testing question.
- If potential prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, at Empress of Dirt’s sole discretion.
- All prizes will be awarded.
- Void where prohibited by law.
By entering this giveaway, you agree to the terms and confirm you meet the entry requirements.
To Enter
- 1 Read the sweepstakes rules and ensure you meet the requirements.
- 2 Leave a reply (comment below) with your US STATE or Canadian PROVINCE and tell us: what vegetables, fruits, or herbs do you want to regrow? Or, have you done this already?
- New comments are held for moderation and will not appear immediately.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
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Christine says
When I poked toothpicks into an avocado pit it broke n half. I left it in the water anyway and it grew into two plants! I also regrew green onions once.
Sandra Campbell says
Plan to replant tomatoes along with basil, rosemary and my favorite herb mint—so versatile!
All plantings grow well in Oklahoma weather.
Susan Stiffler says
I have been regrowing green onions, celery and sweet potatoes here In Peoria, Arizona.
Molly Jones says
I would like to regrow my rosemary & maybe try lemon grass.
This book looks like it will be very informative & timely.
Houston, Texas
Rebecca M says
I would love to regrow garlic and shallots because I use these things in my cooking all the time!
Thank you!
Pennsylvania, USA
amy white says
Ohio ~ I want to grow zinnias and salvia, and basil.
Patricia McGovern says
Rhode Islander would love to regrow sweet potatoes and basil .
Evelyn Lynch says
I live in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where winter and spring are a lesson in patience! In winter I itch to plant so I have started growing from scraps. I presently have celery regrowing on my countertop along with ginger root. I would love to learn more.
Melissa says
Pennsylvania
I would love to try regrowing anything possible! I’ve mostly done this with chives and tried an avocado or two with no luck. Very excited that this works with a range of plants.
Jean diemer says
I would like to regrow herbs like basil. Always enjoy fresh basil in my Indiana garden during the summer. Thanks for the great tips.
Ana Smith says
I have grown potatoes and tomatoes from the old potatoes and from tomatoes gone bad.
I have also tried celery and carrots from the tops but they do not do as well.
Thanks
Ana Smith says
I would LOVE to win “No waste Kitchen Gardening”. I have tried to regrow a few vegetables from the peelings and seeds but not everything grows. I throw my old tomatoes in a planter I have a grow new plants and have had some success with that.
Thanks so much.
Susan Griffith says
US PA. Basil, carrots and beets top my list!
Melissa M Soucy says
Hello from South Western Pennsylvania
I love trying to regrow anything I have used. I have already tried carrots celery cabbage it’s fun to see what will regrow well and will regrow slowly and poorly.
Avis F. says
I have never regrown anything but I have wanted to try as I think this is very interesting!
~Alberta~
Sue D says
I would like to regrow herbs and sweet potatoes.
sue in Ohio
Sandra says
I love doing this with celery!
British Columbia, Canada
Anna Ballinger says
Florida
I have regrown ginger but haven’t harvested it yet. I’m willing to regrow anything I purchase that is organic.
Judy Whatley says
North Texas- and I have not had much luck to date with my re-grow of anything- but it’s more due to my cats. I now have a room set up that I’m hoping will work better and no help from the critters. I would love to re-grow herbs and veggies….anything that blooms and flowers for my bees 😉
Alice Blackwelder says
I’ve successfully regrown celery leaves which is my favorite part but want to try beet greens. Didn’t realize you could grow them like this! I’m very excited here in Syracuse, NY gardening in zone 5b. So love your site!
Jeanne Yardley says
Here in Ontario, I have had some success regrowing from the root of grocery store hydroponic lettuce, which I transplanted into my greenhouse bed and then harvested.
Yvonne Jenkin says
Here in Missouri I have regrown celery but I would like to know about all the other possibilities particularly herbs.
Teresa Davis says
South Carolina.
Ginger does great here.
Deana says
Texas
I would lime to regrow Mint and Potato’s both sweet and regular.
nikki zaino says
I am from Pennsylvania.
I would like to regrow ginger!
Linda says
I am in British Columbia, Canada. I want to regrow cilantro. I’ve tried but with little success.
Carol Gay says
I live in Ontario. Have tried regrrowing carrots, romaine lettece.
Bev says
I live in Michigan and I have re-grown green onions in water. It works great as long as the water is changed out regularly and you use at least the tops of the green onions. It’s been a fun experience.
Jamie says
Jamie in southern Arkansas – what would I like to regrow? Herbs! Basil, Oregano, Thyme, and Sage …. Also Avocado from a seed would be wonderful!
Gayle says
I’m repurposing a large area of front lawn for a good sized kitchen garden in South Texas. My plan includes the standard fare, spring and summer squash, beans, tomatoes, peppers, and fall and winter broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and a host a variety of herbs for cooking. I already grown most of these in my small backyard and a variety of pots placed around the house. Reclaiming a large potion of useless lawn will give me an opportunity to expand and include more veggies as well as a mixture of flowering shrubs and tropical fruits.
Julie MacDonald says
I want to learn how to regrow celery and lettuce plus some herbs like basil, thyme, and mint. Ive had some success overwintering oregano ( moving from my outdoor garden to a pot indoor and back outdoors after winter) in Atlantic Canada. My 2019 goal is to reduce waste so the idea of regrowing fom scraps is right up my alley!
Rachel says
I am from Southwest Illinois and have successfully regrown rosemary, thyme, and oregano! Sadly, my attempt at regrowing basil failed. I would love to try regrowing basil again, and would like to try my hand at regrowing sweet potatoes, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and some citrus trees, including blood oranges!
Theresa Arway says
I am from southwest Ohio and have grown a Meyer Lemon from seed–no fruit yet but plant is 3 feet tall. I put it outside in the summer. I have also regrown celery and avocado. I get many volunteers in my compost pile of tomatoes, potatoes and ornamental peppers. This past summer I had a variety of squash from the Halloween ornamental squash that I tossed in the compost pile from the previous year. It is like Christmas in the Spring when all the little sprouts start popping up in the compost pile.
Marie says
I’m from Washington State and I want to grow ginger!