You don’t need to buy seeds or spend money on new plants to start an indoor garden. In fact, your kitchen scraps — the things you usually throw away — can become the start of a thriving, fresh, and edible garden right in your own home.
In this article, you’ll learn how to grow herbs, vegetables, and leafy greens using leftover stems, roots, and seeds — all with zero investment and minimal space.
Why Grow an Indoor Garden from Scraps?
- Completely free — uses what you already have.
- Reduces food waste and supports sustainability.
- Great for beginners — easy to start and watch grow.
- Fresh food at your fingertips — from windowsill to plate.
- Fun for kids or anyone learning to garden in small spaces.
Let’s dive into what you can grow and how to do it step by step.
1. Green Onions (Scallions)
How to Regrow:
- Save the white root end (2–3 cm).
- Place it in a glass of water with the roots down.
- Set on a windowsill with light.
- Change water every 2–3 days.
In 5–7 days:
You’ll see fresh green shoots — ready to harvest when 10–15 cm tall. Cut and regrow again!
2. Lettuce, Bok Choy, and Celery
How to Regrow:
- Cut the bottom base (5–7 cm thick) from a head of lettuce or celery.
- Place the base in a shallow bowl with water (cut side up).
- Put near a window.
- Mist the top daily.
In 7–10 days:
You’ll see new leaves and roots begin to form. You can transplant into soil or keep in water for microgreens.
3. Garlic
How to Regrow:
- Use a clove that has started to sprout.
- Place it in soil, sprout side up.
- Water lightly every few days.
After 1–2 weeks:
Green shoots will emerge — perfect for garlic greens (like scallions) while the bulb grows slowly over months.
4. Carrot Tops
You can’t regrow the root, but the leafy tops are edible and beautiful.
How to Regrow:
- Save the top 2–3 cm of a carrot.
- Place in a shallow dish with water, cut side down.
- Set in a bright space and change water every 2 days.
In 5–7 days:
You’ll have lush green tops, perfect for salads, pesto, or garnish.
5. Basil and Mint
How to Regrow:
- Take 10–15 cm stem cuttings with leaves.
- Remove lower leaves.
- Place in water near sunlight.
- Wait for roots to appear (7–10 days), then transfer to soil.
These herbs grow quickly and love indoor conditions. Once rooted, they can last for months or more.
6. Ginger
Ginger grows slowly but is easy to start.
How to Regrow:
- Choose a ginger piece with small eyes (bumps).
- Soak overnight, then plant in a shallow container with soil.
- Keep in indirect light and mist regularly.
It will sprout in a few weeks and continue growing indoors.
7. Avocado
It takes patience, but it’s a fun long-term project.
How to Regrow:
- Clean and dry the seed.
- Suspend over a glass of water using toothpicks (pointed end up).
- Keep the bottom half submerged.
- Set in a sunny spot.
In 3–6 weeks:
Roots and a sprout will appear. Once it reaches 15–20 cm tall, pot it in soil.
8. Tomatoes and Peppers (From Seeds)
Save seeds from ripe tomatoes or bell peppers.
How to Regrow:
- Rinse and dry seeds for a few days.
- Plant in small containers with soil.
- Keep warm and moist with light.
- Thin seedlings as they grow.
These can later be moved to larger pots or outside if space allows.
9. Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Any sprouted potato piece can grow more.
How to Regrow:
- Cut sprouting potatoes into chunks (each with at least one eye).
- Let dry for a day.
- Plant in deep containers with soil.
- Keep in sunlight and water regularly.
Green vines will grow quickly, and after a few months, you’ll have new tubers underground.
Tools You Can Use (For Free)
- Reused containers: yogurt cups, jars, cans, bottles.
- Spoons: for digging small holes.
- Egg cartons: for seedlings.
- Plastic bags: to create mini-greenhouses.
- Spray bottles: for misting.
You likely have everything you need already!
Tips for Success
- Place all plants in bright but indirect light (like a kitchen window).
- Don’t overwater — most scraps only need a small amount of water.
- Be patient — some plants take days, others take weeks.
- Rotate your containers every few days for even growth.
- Use leftover rice water or cooled veggie water to water plants naturally.
Final Thoughts
An indoor garden grown from kitchen scraps is more than just a fun project — it’s a practical, eco-friendly way to get fresh food, reduce waste, and connect with nature from your own home.
Whether you’re regrowing green onions in a jar or sprouting avocado seeds for fun, every bit of green you grow is a step toward self-sufficiency — and it all starts with what’s already in your fridge.