Check out the Best Herbs and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors in Water in the below article. They are great for those with no space to grow their own food.

Read about herbs you can grow in the water here

Best Herbs and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors in Water

1. Carrot Greens

Although you can not bring back or grow carrot roots in water, instead of throwing away the green ends from the top, put them in a shallow water container in a bright spot to regrow the carrot greens.

Keep changing the water every other day, and in a few days, you’ll be able to see baby green leaves, an excellent addition to a salad, pesto, or chutney.

Learn about growing Carrots in containers here

2. Green Onions

Growing green onions in water is super easy. All you need is a sunny windowsill, a transparent jar or glass, and green onion bulbs. Read more about this here!

3. Bok Choi

Bok choy, Pak Choi, or Chinese cabbage, is a green vegetable widely consumed in many Asian countries. To regrow it, cut the base of the stem and place it in a small bowl of water. It’s that simple! You will see how the new growth begins in only two days.

Find out everything about growing Bok Choi in water here

4. Celery

To grow celery again, use the base once you have consumed the leaves in the kitchen! Place that in a small bowl of water. You will see how it grows back in 3 or 4 days.

Check out how to grow Celery in water here

5. Fennel

Take a fennel bulb and set it in a cup or small bowl of clear water; the water level should touch the bulb’s base. Keep the bowl in a spot that receives some sun and change the water every couple of days.

Find out how to grow Fennel in containers here

6. Lettuce

To regrow lettuce, it is important that you cut the leaves so that the base remains intact. Place it in a shallow dish of water (about 1/2 inch) and keep it on a windowsill or under grow lights.

Change the water every 1 to 2 days. You will see it showing new growth in a week or two.

Learn about growing Lettuce in containers here

7. Lemongrass

Get the lemongrass stalks and keep them in water in a bright spot that receives some sun; change the water every day, and watch as new leaves grow almost immediately.

After a week, the roots start emerging, and the stalk eventually divides itself (via offshoot stalks).

Get the detailed Lemongrass growing instructions here

8. Garlic Greens

Get a fresh bunch of garlic bulbs and cut the top portion. Now, take a small soda bottle with a narrow mouth to fit the whole garlic bulb. Fill it with water and place the bulb in it, as shown in the image above.

Make sure the water touches the bottom part as this is important for developing roots. 

Learn how to grow garlic greens in containers here

9. Beet Greens

To regrow, slice off the top portion of the beet with a knife. Take no more than one-third of the beet. Fill a glass, mug, or bowl with water. Place the beet top into the water, with the cut side facing downward.

Set the glass on a windowsill, counter, or table close to the window so that the beet top will receive adequate sunlight.

Learn about growing Beet in containers here

10. Mint

Enjoy the aromatic, refreshing leaves in cuisines and beverages year-round without soil. You can grow mint in water even in the smallest space of the home, like a windowsill. See the details here.

Learn how to grow mint in small spaces here

11. Basil

Basil is a versatile herb that can be used in various cuisines; you can grow it in water for a never-ending supply.

Take several cuttings from an existing basil plant. Place them in a transparent glass jar and fill it with non-chlorinated water. Young roots will appear in 2-3 weeks.

Learn more about growing basil in water here

12. Napa Cabbage

Growing napa cabbage in water is quite simple. Keep the bottom part of the cabbage in a bowl filled with water, and place where it gets 3-4 hours of the morning sun. Change the water every 2-3 days. It will form roots in 5-7 days.

Check out how to grow Napa Cabbage in pots here

13. Cabbage

Grow cabbage in water by cutting the bottom of the head off the plant and placing it into a shallow bowl filled with water. In just three to four days, new roots and leaves will appear. Do remember to change the water every 3-4 days.

Get the best Cabbage growing tips here

14. Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes

The method is the same for growing potatoes or sweet potatoes in water. Cut them in half and poke some toothpicks. Keep the halves in a shallow pot of water. The cut side must face down. Place where it gets bright and indirect light.

The roots will appear in a few days, and you’ll see new leaves emerging. You can then harvest the greens, which are edible, or transfer that into the soil.

Learn more about growing potatoes here

15. Leeks

Plant 1/4 leek’s root end in the jar filled with water. Do not submerge the whole stalk as it will rot the cutting. Place the glass jar on a bright windowsill. It will form roots in 6-8 days.

16. Marjoram

Growing marjoram in water is the same as growing basil. Set the cuttings in a glass of water and keep the base submerged. Place the jar on the bright windowsill, and change the water regularly.

Learn how to grow marjoram in pots here

Bonus – Pineapple

Growing pineapple in water is quite easy, though you have to move it to soil later. All you need is to cut the crown and keep it in water till it forms roots. Once it does, transfer it to the soil and watch it grow. We have a cool article on it here.

  • Rachel
  • April 17, 2017 At 6:42 am
  • I agree, There is nothing better than a meal made with organic fruits of your own!
  • My favorite s are lettuce, carrots and green onions.
  • I didn’t know lettuce can re-grow lettuce in water.Thanks for the info!
  • Reply
  • maria
  • April 19, 2018 At 1:44 pm
  • Every time I try this the base rots. Starts growing, looks good, then begins to get soft and brown.
  • Reply
  • Joane Boudreau
  • May 12, 2019 At 3:57 am
  • Try a moistened paper towel on the bottom change the water daily lifting paper towel with start so not to disturb the roots. Also use filtered light and not pure sun. Good luck
  • Reply
  • Lois Demers
  • December 13, 2022 At 2:35 am
  • My boston lettuce is looking good! Just started some green onions, going to give carrots a go.
  • Reply

I agree, There is nothing better than a meal made with organic fruits of your own! My favorite s are lettuce, carrots and green onions. I didn’t know lettuce can re-grow lettuce in water.Thanks for the info!

  • Joane Boudreau
  • May 12, 2019 At 3:57 am
  • Try a moistened paper towel on the bottom change the water daily lifting paper towel with start so not to disturb the roots. Also use filtered light and not pure sun. Good luck
  • Reply

Every time I try this the base rots. Starts growing, looks good, then begins to get soft and brown.

Try a moistened paper towel on the bottom change the water daily lifting paper towel with start so not to disturb the roots. Also use filtered light and not pure sun. Good luck

My boston lettuce is looking good! Just started some green onions, going to give carrots a go.

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