Have you ever looked at your kitchen scraps and wondered if they could be more than just compost? Many common leftovers from lettuce bases to avocado pits can be regrown into thriving indoor plants with just a little care.
By reusing food scraps, you’ll cut down on waste, save money, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching new plants spring to life. Even better, most of these regrown plants don’t need fancy tools or special conditions.
All you need is a sunny windowsill, some water, and patience. Here are 8 easy kitchen scraps you can re-grow into indoor plants for a greener, more sustainable home.
#1 Lettuce
Lettuce bases don’t have to go straight into the trash. Place the stem end in a shallow bowl with about half an inch of water. Keep it on a sunny windowsill and change the water every day.
Within a week, you’ll see small new leaves emerging. Once roots appear, transfer it to soil to keep it growing strong. Fresh, crunchy leaves will be ready for your salads in no time.
#2 Green Onions
Green onions are one of the quickest scraps to regrow. Keep at least an inch of the white base with roots attached and place it upright in a glass of water.
After just a few days, you’ll notice fresh green shoots sprouting. Snip what you need and let the rest continue to grow. Refresh the water every few days to keep it clean. It’s the perfect endless supply of garnish for your meals.
#3 Aloe vera
Aloe vera isn’t grown from scraps in the same way as veggies, but once you have one plant, it multiplies quickly. The “pups,” or baby offshoots, that grow at the base can be gently separated and repotted.
Use well-draining soil and a sunny location to keep them healthy. Each new aloe can become a decorative plant for another room. Plus, you’ll always have fresh gel for burns and skincare.
#4 Lemon
Lemon seeds can be transformed into a beautiful indoor tree with a little patience. Clean the seeds from a fresh lemon and plant them in a small pot filled with nutrient-rich soil. Keep the soil moist and place the pot in a sunny location.
Once seedlings grow larger, transfer them to a bigger container. Even if they don’t fruit indoors, the glossy leaves and fragrant blossoms make them worth growing.
#5 Avocado
Avocado pits are a fun project that kids and adults alike enjoy. Insert three toothpicks into the pit and suspend it over a glass of water with the bottom half submerged.
After a few weeks, roots and a sprout will appear. Transfer the young plant to soil and keep it in bright, indirect light. Over time, you’ll have a tall, leafy indoor plant that brings tropical charm to your home.
#6 Beetroot
Don’t throw away beet tops, regrow them for fresh greens. Cut off the top portion of a beet and place it in a shallow dish of water. Keep it near a sunny window and change the water regularly.
Within days, leafy shoots will start growing, which you can snip and add to salads or sautés. The root won’t regrow fully, but the greens are nutritious and flavorful.
#7 Apricot
Apricot seeds can sprout into a lovely indoor tree with care. Crack open the pit to remove the seed inside and plant it in a pot with well-draining soil. Place the pot in a sunny location and water consistently to keep the soil moist.
With time, you’ll see seedlings emerge. While it may take years for fruit to appear, the glossy leaves and tree form make it a rewarding project.
#8 Pineapple
The leafy crown of a pineapple can become a striking houseplant. Cut about an inch below the leaves and let the crown dry for a day or two. Place it in a container of water until roots form, then plant it in soil.
Keep it in a bright, warm spot and water weekly. Over time, the plant can grow into a tropical centerpiece, and with enough care, it might even produce fruit.