8 Edible Foods That Can Regrow From Their Tops
Did you know that you can regrow certain fruits and vegetables from their tops? Usually, we consume the edible parts—such as stems, leaves, and roots—and discard the rest. But instead of tossing those leftovers, you can replant them to grow new produce! This not only helps you save money, but also gives you an unlimited supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for your family.
In this guide, I’m excited to share a list of 8 edible foods you only need to buy once, as they can be replanted and regrown multiple times. It’s a great way to reduce waste and enjoy fresh, homegrown food! With this cutting method, you save time by skipping the seed stage, and since the new plants come from the originals, you can expect the same flavors and quality you love.
1. Sweet Potatoes
Regrowing sweet potatoes from their tops is easy and rewarding. Simply cut the top section of a sweet potato, insert a few toothpicks into the sides, and suspend it in a glass of water, making sure the bottom is submerged. Place the glass in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. In about 2-4 weeks, roots will start to form, and once they grow, you can plant the sweet potato in soil.
Extra Tip: Once the roots develop, plant the sweet potato slips in a garden bed or a large container with well-draining soil. Make sure the plants get plenty of sunlight, as sweet potatoes thrive in warm, sunny environments.
2. Kiwano (Horned Melon)
Regrowing kiwano from its top is a fun and simple process. Cut about 1/4 of the top, making sure the seeds are intact. Plant the top in a pot filled with well-draining soil, and place it in an area where it will get bright, indirect light. New growth should emerge within 3-5 weeks.
Extra Tip: Kiwano grows best in warm climates and well-draining soil, so if you live in a cooler area, consider growing it indoors in a container.
3. Strawberries
Instead of throwing away strawberry tops, you can regrow them! Slice off the top of the strawberry where the seeds are located. Plant the top in well-draining soil and place it in a spot that gets 4-5 hours of indirect sunlight daily. In just a few days, you’ll see new plants beginning to grow.
Extra Tip: Strawberries grow well in containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds. Make sure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight for best results.
4. Pineapple
Pineapples are surprisingly easy to regrow! Cut off the top of a pineapple and remove the small leaves around the base to expose the stem. Place the top in a jar of water so that the bottom is submerged. Keep the jar in a sunny spot for 3-5 hours a day, and once roots appear, transplant it into a pot filled with soil.
Extra Tip: Pineapples thrive in warm climates, so if you live in a cooler area, keep your pineapple plant indoors near a sunny window.
5. Sugarcane
Regrowing sugarcane is a fantastic way to get a new plant from what you already have. Cut a 2-4 inch section from the top of the sugarcane, making sure it has at least 1-2 rings (or nodes). Soak the cutting in water overnight, then plant it directly in soil. Alternatively, you can leave the cutting in a jar of water until roots develop, and then transplant it into your garden or a pot.
Extra Tip: Sugarcane grows quickly in tropical and subtropical climates. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight and moisture to thrive.
6. Carrots
Carrot tops are easy to regrow. Simply cut about an inch from the top of the carrot and place it in a shallow dish filled with water. After 2-7 days, green shoots will begin to sprout from the top, indicating the start of new growth.
Extra Tip: While you can’t regrow a full carrot from the top, you can use the greens as a flavorful addition to salads, soups, and other dishes.
7. Kiwi
To regrow a kiwi plant from the top, carefully cut off the top section, making sure it contains seeds. Plant it in a well-draining potting mix and water it regularly. Place the pot in a location with bright indirect sunlight. In time, new shoots will emerge.
Extra Tip: Kiwi plants require a lot of space and grow as vines, so they need support like a trellis or fence. Be sure to grow them in a place where they can spread out.
8. Avocado
Avocados are well known for being easy to regrow from their pits, but you can also regrow them from the top! Slice off about 1/4 of the top of an avocado, and suspend it over a dish of water, with the lower half submerged. Place the dish in a bright spot with indirect sunlight and change the water every 4-6 days. In 3-4 weeks, roots will appear, and the plant will be ready to transplant into soil.
Extra Tip: Avocado trees take several years to bear fruit, but with proper care, they can thrive indoors or outdoors in warm climates. Make sure the plant gets plenty of light and water regularly to keep the soil moist.
By regrowing these fruits and vegetables from their tops, you’ll have a continuous supply of fresh produce, reduce waste, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food at home. Start experimenting with these tips and see how easy and rewarding it can be to turn kitchen scraps into a thriving garden!
If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with friends and family, and enjoy the benefits of regrowing your own food!
