Many of your favorite fruits and vegetables — like pineapples, green onions and celery — can easily be regrown from their scraps. It takes a little TLC and a bit of patience, but the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel from being a successful plant parent is worth it. If you have kids, they’ll love watching the growing process. Follow our easy regrow guide, find that sunny spot in your house and brighten your world from inside.
Pro tip: We recommend using organic fruits and vegetables from our Produce department, which are grown without many fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances.
Green onions, spring onions, leeks, lemongrass, fennel
If you don’t possess a natural green thumb, these veggies are the perfect place to start. Not only are the roots quick to sprout, but they’re also low maintenance. Plus, your pasta dishes, stir-fries, curries and salads will be tastier than ever.
How to regrow:
Use the root ends: To regrow these veggies, you’ll want to use the bottom white ends.
Place in water: Add the root ends to a small glass filled with water, but don’t fully submerge. Place near direct sunlight and give them fresh water daily.
Harvest: In three to five days, you should start to see growth. Snip off what you need when fully grown, eat, then repeat. Pro tip: Let lemongrass grow to at least one foot tall first before cutting.
Pineapple
If you’re cutting a whole pineapple, the top is likely the first thing you toss. However, this green, leafy crown is actually your ticket to growing a new plant. Yes, it takes time, but the payoff will put you in a tropical state of mind.
How to regrow:
Cut off the crown: Using a serrated knife, remove the leafy crown of the pineapple.
Trim the bottom leaves: Using your knife, cut away the leaves near the bottom until you can see the root buds.
Place in water: Fill a glass jar or vase with water and add the trimmed crown. Place near direct sunlight and change the water daily. In about two weeks, you should see new roots.
Plant: Fill a pot with soil and replant the roots so that only the crown is exposed. The leaves will continue to grow, but it can take two to three years until your new pineapple plant is ready. Patience is a virtue.
Celery, cabbage, and lettuce
Chopping romaine lettuce for a salad? Slicing up a celery for a snack? Hang onto your stalks, cores and ends. It takes several months, but you can transform your scraps into a new plant that’s yours to enjoy.
How to regrow:
Place in water: Fill a shallow bowl with water and add the root (bottom part of the stalk or core). Make sure that the top of your stalk or core is above the water line. Place near direct sunlight.
Spritz with water often: Encourage growth by spritzing the top with water several times a week. Make sure to replace the water every few days. In about a week, new leaves will start to sprout.
Plant: Fill a pot with soil and plant the root so that only the leaves are exposed. In about five months, the plant will be ready to harvest.
Ginger
From salad dressing to smoothies to stir-fries, ginger adds bright and spicy flavor to many dishes. Luckily, you can enjoy this versatile ingredient for even longer. It takes time, but you can easily regrow a new plant from the root.
How to regrow:
Soak overnight: Submerge the entire root in water overnight to prep it.
Plant the root: Fill a well-draining pot with moist soil. Place the root horizontally so that the buds are facing upward and cover completely. Keep away from direct sunlight.
Keep the soil moist: Water as needed to keep the soil moist, but don’t go overboard. Within a few weeks, you should see shoots emerge.
Harvest: In about a year, you can remove the entire plant. Use as much as you want, making sure to save a piece of the root, then repeat the process.
Fresh Basil
If you love fresh basil and want to enjoy it for even longer, you can quickly regrow a new plant from the stems. Then you’ll have homemade pesto for days and the perfect on-demand pasta garnish.
How to regrow:
Trim the leaves: Remove extra basil leaves so that you have about four inches of stem.
Place in water: Fill a glass jar with water and add the stem, making sure that the leaves are above the water line. Change the water every few days and place near direct sunlight. It can take several weeks, but eventually roots will sprout.
Plant: Fill a pot with soil and add the plant, making sure to cover the roots. Place near sunlight and pick the leaves whenever you please.
