13 Foods That Magically Regrow Themselves—No Green Thumb Needed

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie: Chop up dinner, toss the scraps in water or soil, and watch new plants sprout. But it’s actually real. In kitchens across the country, people are regrowing everything from green onions to celery—often with nothing more than a jar of water and a sunny windowsill.

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At a time when food prices are high and sustainability is more important than ever, growing food from scraps is more than a party trick. It’s an easy way to cut down on waste, save a little cash, and reconnect with the food on your plate. And no, you don’t need a backyard or gardening skills. Some of the most common grocery store items are surprisingly willing to come back to life.

These 13 everyday foods practically grow themselves—and you can get started with what you probably already have in your fridge.

Green Onions: The Comeback Kings

Green onions are arguably the poster children for kitchen scrap gardening. Trim them a couple of inches above the roots, stick the white ends in a cup of water, and set it by a sunny window. Within days, you’ll see new green shoots. Swap the water every few days to keep it fresh, and they’ll keep growing back. Some people manage to harvest several rounds from the same bunch.

Celery: From Stump to Stalk

Don’t toss that celery base. Cut it about two inches from the bottom and place it cut-side up in a shallow dish of water. New leaves and small stalks will begin to grow from the center in about a week. For fuller regrowth, transfer it to soil once it sprouts. According to the University of Maryland Extension, celery prefers cool weather and rich, well-drained soil, but it can survive in a pot indoors, too.

Romaine Lettuce: Salads on Repeat

Like celery, romaine lettuce can regenerate from the base. Place the end in water, change it regularly, and watch it grow new leaves. While it won’t give you a full grocery-store head, the regrowth is enough to top a sandwich or bulk out a salad.

Garlic: One Clove at a Time

If you’ve ever left a garlic clove too long on the counter and seen it sprout, congratulations—you’ve already started. Plant a single clove root-side down in a pot of soil. With time and patience, you’ll get an entire new bulb. Garlic takes several months to mature, but it’s low effort once it’s in the ground. You can also snip and use the garlic greens while you wait.

Potatoes: Eyes on the Prize

Those “eyes” on your potatoes are future plants waiting to happen. Cut them into chunks with at least one or two eyes each and let them dry out for a day or two. Then plant them in soil, and within a few weeks, they’ll start growing leafy shoots. Full potatoes take a few months but yield a satisfying harvest—especially from a kitchen scrap.

Carrot Tops: Not the Roots, But Still Useful

You won’t regrow an entire carrot from the top, but you can get leafy greens that are great in pesto or as garnish. Set the top of the carrot in a shallow dish of water and watch it grow feathery shoots. The USDA calls carrot greens perfectly edible, despite being left off most store-bought bunches.

Basil: Cut and Come Again

If you’ve got a sprig of basil with a few leaves, you can regrow it in water. Just make sure to leave at least four inches of stem and remove any leaves below the waterline. Once roots appear, transplant it into a pot. Basil grows quickly in warm, sunny spots and can produce all season long.

Cilantro: A Little Patience Goes a Long Way

Cilantro can regrow from its stems much like basil. Put a few sprigs in water and wait for roots to develop. It’s slower than basil, but eventually, it can be moved to soil. According to a report from Oregon State University, cilantro prefers cooler temps and bolts quickly in heat, so indoor windowsill growth may be ideal.

Leeks: Like Green Onions, But Bigger

Leeks grow back just like their slimmer cousins, green onions. Slice about two inches above the roots and set in water. Leeks grow a bit slower, but they’ll start sprouting green tops in a week or so.

Sweet Potatoes: A Different Kind of Vine

Slice a sweet potato in half and suspend it over a glass of water using toothpicks. Shoots, called “slips,” will start to sprout from the top. When they’re a few inches long, break them off and plant them in soil. Each slip has the potential to grow into a new plant that produces several tubers.

Fennel: A Mild, Sweet Regrower

The white bulb of fennel can regrow if placed root-side down in water. It’s a bit fussier than celery or lettuce but worth trying if you use fennel regularly. Once it sprouts, it’s best to move it to soil where it can thrive with a little more support.

Lemongrass: From Scraps to Stalks

Lemongrass is easy to regrow. Put the bottom few inches of a stalk in a jar of water, and roots will appear quickly. Once established, plant it in a pot and you’ll have a renewable supply for broths, teas, and marinades. According to the University of Florida, lemongrass is a hardy grower in warm climates and doubles as an insect repellent.

Pineapple: Yes, Really

It’s not a quick process, but yes, you can grow a new pineapple from the top of an old one. Twist off the green crown, strip the lower leaves, and let it dry out for a few days. Plant it in soil, and if you live in a warm climate (or can keep it indoors with lots of light), it might produce fruit in a couple of years.

Growing Your Groceries Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Regrowing food from scraps isn’t going to replace a full grocery haul. But it’s a small, oddly satisfying way to waste less and get more from what you already have. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to where food comes from—or to rediscover that connection for yourself.

As plant scientist Dr. Mark Brand from the University of Connecticut puts it, “Regrowing food scraps at home is an easy gateway into gardening. It’s fast, it’s accessible, and for many people, it’s the first time they’ve seen something grow that they can actually eat.” And in a world where so much feels disposable, there’s something pretty great about giving your groceries a second life.