How to Grow Onions from Scraps

Don’t toss those onion bottoms! With a bit of water, soil, and sunlight, you can regrow fresh green onions or even whole onion bulbs from kitchen scraps. This method is beginner-friendly, zero-waste, and ideal for small-space or container gardening.

To encourage faster, healthier growth, feed your onion scraps with a natural blend like this vegetable peel fertilizer.

How to Regrow Green Onions in Water

• Trim the green stalks and keep the white root end (about 2 inches long).
• Place root ends in a glass with enough water to cover the roots.
• Set the glass on a sunny windowsill.
• Change the water every 2–3 days.
• New green shoots will appear in just 3–5 days!

This method allows multiple harvests. Trim greens as needed and watch them regrow. Want to speed up growth? Add a dash of fruit peel fertilizer to the water weekly.

How to Grow Bulb Onions from Scraps in Soil

• Cut the bottom inch of a yellow, red, or white onion and allow it to dry for 1–2 days.
• Plant it root-side down in soil (leave the top slightly exposed).
• Use a well-draining pot or raised bed with 6–8 hours of sun exposure daily.
• Water evenly and keep soil moist but not soggy.
• In 2–3 weeks, green shoots and new roots will form.

Onion bulbs will mature over 60–90 days. You can use orange peels mixed in the soil to deter pests and enhance flavor.

Indoor vs Outdoor Onion Growth

Green onions thrive indoors in jars, while full-sized bulbs do better outdoors or in containers with deep soil. If growing indoors:

• Place jars or pots near a bright window
• Rotate containers to ensure even light exposure
• Trim stalks every 7–10 days to stimulate more growth

For best results, use quality tools like those listed in our gardening tools guide.

Common Problems & Solutions

• Yellowing leaves? Too little sunlight or nutrient deficiency—try adding compost tea or peel fertilizer.
• Moldy water? Change it more frequently and rinse the roots.
• Slow growth? Move the plant to a sunnier location or enrich the soil.

Conclusion

Regrowing onions from scraps is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to recycle kitchen waste. Whether you’re after green shoots for garnishes or full bulbs for your meals, you can grow onions using water, soil, and a bit of care.

For a healthier harvest, remember to use organic nutrients like vegetable peel fertilizer or fruit peels, and equip yourself with the right gardening tools for success.