8 Kitchen Scraps You Can Regrow Indoors (Easy, Eco-Friendly Hacks)

Don’t throw away your veggie scraps — turn them into fresh new plants instead! With just a bit of water, sunlight, and patience, you can regrow delicious herbs and vegetables right from your kitchen counter. This guide shows you how to regrow 8 everyday kitchen scraps indoors and keep your home stocked with free, healthy greens all year long.

Why Regrow Kitchen Scraps?

Regrowing scraps is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to garden indoors — even if you don’t have space, soil, or experience.

• ♻️ Eco-friendly: Reduces food waste.

• 💰 Budget-friendly: Free plants from your leftovers.

• 🌿 Beginner-friendly: Works in small jars or cups.

• 🍽️ Practical: Always have fresh herbs and veggies on hand.

1. Spring Onions

• Place the white root ends in a glass of water.

• Keep in bright, indirect light.

• New green shoots appear in 3–5 days — keep trimming for continuous harvests.

 These Glass Jars with Bamboo Lids on Amazon are perfect for growing onions and herbs neatly on a windowsill.

2. Lettuce

• Keep the base of a lettuce head in 1 inch of water.

• Mist leaves daily and refresh water every 2 days.

• Transfer to soil once new leaves form.

3. Celery

• Cut the bottom 2 inches of the stalk and place in shallow water.

• Once roots and leaves form (about a week), move to soil.

• Great for windowsill planters!

4. Garlic

• Plant single cloves pointy side up in a small pot of soil.

• Shoots appear within days and can be harvested as garlic greens.

• Use in salads or stir-fries for mild flavor.

5. Carrots

• Save the tops (about 1 inch).

• Place them in a shallow dish of water and set in sunlight.

• They’ll regrow leafy greens — perfect for garnishes and pesto.

 Try these Seed Starter Trays on Amazon for easy countertop regrowing projects.

6. Basil

• Snip a 4-inch cutting from a healthy bunch.

• Remove lower leaves and place in water until roots form.

• Transplant to soil once roots reach 2 inches long.

7. Leeks

• Like spring onions, place the white base in water.

• Change water every 2–3 days.

• Harvest greens once they reach 4–6 inches tall.

8. Potatoes

• Cut potatoes into chunks with 2–3 “eyes.”

• Let them dry for a day, then plant in deep pots with rich soil.

• Keep soil moist and enjoy homegrown spuds in 2–3 months.

 Deep Fabric Grow Bags on Amazon make potato growing easy — breathable and reusable for multiple crops.

Tips for Success

✅ Use filtered or rainwater to avoid chlorine.
✅ Refresh water every few days to prevent rot.
✅ Move mature plants to soil once roots appear.
✅ Keep near a sunny window or under a grow light.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much water: Submerge just the roots, not the whole base.

• Low light: Leads to weak, pale growth — supplement with a small grow light.

• Using rotten scraps: Only fresh, healthy bases will regrow successfully.

For more indoor gardening inspiration, check the Royal Horticultural Society’s guide to growing vegetables indoors.

FAQs About Regrowing Kitchen Scraps

1. How long do regrown plants last?
Most will keep producing for several weeks to months with good care.

2. Can you regrow scraps in soil instead of water?
Yes — once roots form, transplant into small pots with rich potting mix.

3. Do regrown veggies taste the same?
They’re often milder but just as nutritious and fresh.

Related Articles

• How to Grow Arugula Indoors

• How to Grow Coriander Indoors

• How to Grow Marjoram Indoors

Final Thoughts on Regrowing Kitchen Scraps Indoors

Turning kitchen scraps into fresh plants is an easy, sustainable way to grow food right at home. With a few jars, some patience, and a bit of sunlight, you can keep your kitchen stocked with free, organic greens all year long. Start saving your scraps today — your next harvest might already be in your fridge!