20 Vegetables and Herbs You Can Grow Indoors Using Scraps
Growing vegetables and herbs indoors from kitchen scraps is an excellent way to save money, reduce waste, and enjoy fresh produce year-round. Here are 20 vegetables and herbs you can grow indoors using scraps you’d usually toss:
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
Green onions are incredibly easy to regrow. Place the white ends with roots in a glass of water and set it on a sunny windowsill. Change the water every few days. In a week or so, you’ll have fresh green tops to snip and use.
2. Garlic
You can regrow garlic from a single clove. Plant the clove in a pot with the root end down, and it will sprout. Garlic needs plenty of sunlight. You can harvest the greens, which have a milder flavor than the cloves, and use them in dishes like you would chives or scallions.
3. Celery
Save the base of a celery bunch and place it in a shallow dish with water. Put it in sunlight and change the water every couple of days. In about a week, you’ll see new leaves. Transfer it to soil to continue growing.
4. Lettuce
Lettuce regrows similarly to celery. Place the base in water and put it in a sunny spot. Once it starts to sprout, you can transfer it to soil. You’ll have fresh lettuce leaves in a few weeks.
5. Carrot Greens
Carrot tops can be regrown in a shallow dish of water. While they won’t produce new carrots, the greens are edible and make a great addition to salads or as a garnish.
6. Basil
Basil cuttings can be placed in water to grow new roots. Once the roots are a few inches long, plant the cuttings in pots. Keep the soil moist and ensure they get plenty of sunlight.
7. Cilantro
Cilantro can also be regrown from cuttings. Place the stems in a glass of water and once roots develop, transfer them to a pot with soil. Cilantro prefers cooler temperatures and plenty of light.
8. Mint
Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow from cuttings. Place the cuttings in water until they develop roots, then transfer them to soil. Mint grows quickly and can be invasive, so it’s perfect for indoor gardening in a controlled space.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary cuttings can take a bit longer to root, but with patience, you can grow a whole new plant. Place the cuttings in water and once they root, plant them in well-draining soil.
10. Ginger
Ginger is easy to grow from a small piece of the root. Soak the piece in water overnight, then plant it in a pot with soil. Keep the soil moist and the pot in a warm, indirect sunlight spot. Shoots will appear in a few weeks.
11. Potatoes
You can regrow potatoes from peelings with eyes on them. Cut the peelings into pieces, let them dry overnight, then plant them in soil. They need plenty of sunlight and space to grow.
12. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be grown from the slips that sprout from the tubers. Place a sweet potato in water, partially submerged, and once the slips grow, twist them off and plant them in soil.
13. Bok Choy
Regrow bok choy by placing the base in water. It will sprout new leaves in about a week. Transfer it to soil to continue growing.
14. Fennel
Fennel can be regrown from the base. Place the base in water and put it in a sunny location. Once it starts sprouting, transfer it to soil.
15. Lemongrass
Lemongrass stalks can be placed in water until roots develop. Once they root, plant them in soil. Lemongrass needs plenty of sunlight to grow well.
16. Parsley
Parsley can be grown from cuttings. Place the cuttings in water, and once roots develop, plant them in soil. Keep the soil moist and provide plenty of light.
17. Beet Greens
Save the tops of beets and place them in water. While they won’t grow new beets, the greens will regrow and can be used in salads or as a garnish.
18. Turnip Greens
Similar to beet greens, turnip tops can be placed in water to regrow the greens. These can be used in salads or cooked dishes.
19. Romaine Lettuce
Place the base of romaine lettuce in a dish with water. New leaves will start to grow in about a week. Transfer it to soil to continue growing.
20. Peppers
Pepper seeds can be saved and planted in soil. They need warmth and light to germinate, but once they start growing, they’ll produce new pepper plants.
Conclusion
Growing vegetables and herbs indoors from scraps is a sustainable and economical way to enjoy fresh produce year-round. By following these simple steps, you can turn your kitchen waste into a productive indoor garden, providing fresh ingredients and reducing your grocery bills. Happy gardening!
