That’s right you read! You can grow plants from fruits and vegetables in water! There are many reasons to try “water gardening”.
Whether you want plants from cuttings in a simple glass jar on your windowsill or you’re looking to invest in a fancy hydroponic setup, getting the most out of your fruit and vegetable scraps is smart for several reasons.
Not only is it completely free in many cases – all you need is water and some time! – but it also manages to substantially reduce your food budget. Plus, you won’t have to spend money on seeds or plants. These are some of the easiest plants and fruits to grow with household leftovers:
1. Garlic
All you have to do is place a clove with some green shoots in a glass of water. Make sure the water is at approximately the same level as the tooth. When the shoots are seven or ten cm high, you should remove a third and use it immediately.
2. Lemongrass
Remove all but two or three inches of the stem before placing it in about half an inch of water. It will grow back from the center outwards and then it can be transplanted into your vegetable or herb garden.
3. Sweet potato
Yes, it is possible to grow sweet potatoes in water! To do this, cut the potato in half and suspend it above the water with toothpicks, half needs to be submerged. Place the container in bright light. Once the roots are about four inches long, place them in water. After they grow a few more inches, replant in soil.
4. Marjoram
Although marjoram takes a while to grow, it is a delicious herb. Place the seedlings in a glass of water, keep the lower part submerged and place on the windowsill. Don’t forget to change the water regularly.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary takes a little time to take root. Since it has a somewhat woody stem, it is much easier to keep it upright when you are planting it from a cutting. For successful development in water, place the branches in a sunny spot in the house.
6. Lettuce
The kitchen staple! It is easy to grow in water as long as you choose the right type. Place a pitcher of lettuce and about 1/2 inch of water in direct sunlight. Change the water every two days.
7. Peppers
Save a cutting from the bottom half of a plant, place a full glass of water on the windowsill and cover – with the cutting – with plastic wrap. This will create a warm and humid environment. The cut should be at the bottom of the glass and kept in indirect sunlight. You will need to replant once the roots start to develop.
8. Carrots
Technically, you can’t grow carrots in water, as the roots need some soil for healthy growth. However, carrot tops can develop leaves in water by tying the cut tops in a shallow bowl of water – which needs to be refreshed every day!
9. Pineapple
Eventually, you’ll need to transplant the pineapple into soil, but you can start with leftovers and water.
Cut off part of the leafy portion and avoid the fruit portion. Insert some toothpicks and hang it over the water. Place in a warm room and change the water regularly. Replant the branch in the ground as soon as new roots appear.
10. Lavender
Take a seedling from a plant. Your cutting should include three to five sets of lower leaves. Place the bottom of the cutting in the rooting hormone. You may need to place some rocks in the bottom of the container to keep the cutting upright.
11. Avocado
Pit an avocado and clean it well. Stick the toothpicks in the pit and put it in a dish with water – half should be submerged. Place near the window and change the water frequently. As soon as it reaches 18 cm in height, settle on the ground.
12. Mint
Mint has a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes, enjoy having it at home! Insert seedlings into water with the bottom submerged. The plant needs to be in a well-lit place and change the water every two days.
13. Celery
Place the base of the stalk in a shallow dish of warm water before placing it on the windowsill. The water needs to be fresh every day, and as soon as the leaves appear, you should move it to a pot of soil.
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14. Spinach
Spinach grows best in a jar of water, as it likes to be kept relatively moist. Use rockwool cubes with seeds in a small container with an inch or two of water. As soon as the roots begin to develop, you should transplant them into the ground.
15. Potatoes
Stick some toothpicks in half of a potato and place it in a shallow pot of water. The cut part should face down. When the roots develop, you can fix it in the soil.
16. Chinese chard
This isn’t a vegetable every gardener has, but it’s easy to grow in water if you’re looking for low maintenance. This Swiss chard is rich in vitamins and minerals and requires only a small bowl of water.
17. Mango
Remove the skin with a knife and remove the excess fruit and seeds. Place the seed, rounded side up, in a little water. Leave until it starts to sprout – it can take up to three weeks – and then settle in a peat pot.
18. Cabbage
Cut off the bottom of the plant’s head and insert into a shallow pot of water. Replace every few days and be sure to trim the leaves regularly for more tender growth.
19. Ginger
The trick to success is rooting it in compost first, as soon as the leaves and stems start to appear on the ginger root, place it in a special container designed for hydroponic growing.
20. Tomatoes
As long as the environment is warm and sunny, your seedlings should take root quickly.
21. Parsnip
You will follow exactly the same steps as with the carrot. Just do not forget to transfer it to land if you want to enjoy a full harvest.
22. Cucumbers
Need a perfect side dish for tomatoes? Why not plant some cucumbers? You will only need a large pot, ideally designed for in-water vegetation.
23. Basil
Place its branches in a pot filled with water, preferably in bright sunlight. You will need to remove them before the basil starts to bloom. Renew the water every few days.
24. Beetroot
Like carrots, beetroot cannot grow in water, but it’s different for its leaves! They taste delicious in a salad. Make a cut in the top third of the vegetable and place the part in a container on the windowsill, with the cut side facing down.
25. Onions
Arrange the onions in a clear jar, root side down. The amount of water needs to be enough to cover the roots.
26. Fennel
It is the leafy growth of this plant that is highly prized. All you need to do is remove its bottom part, the roots should be intact.
27. Leeks
Directly related to the onion is the leek, the leek can be grown in a similar way – you just need to plant it in a shallow glass filled with water.
*Via DIY&Crafts