How to Regrow Green Onions from Scraps (In Water & Soil)

Have you ever found yourself about to cook a recipe calling for green onions, only to realize you’re all out? Next time this happens, don’t despair! With just the leftover roots and ends of green onions, you can regrow these handy herbs right on your kitchen counter.

Regrowing green onions is an easy gardening project that produces quick results. In fact, green onions are one of the fastest growing vegetables around. Their crisp, bright flavor makes them a versatile ingredient in many cuisines. Plus, growing green onions from scraps is an eco-friendly way to reduce food waste.

Read on to learn the ins and outs of regrowing green onions in water and soil. With just a bit of patience, you’ll have homegrown green onions ready to flavor your dishes anytime.

What You’ll Need to Regrow Green Onions

• Green onion bottoms. Save at least 3 inches of the white and green stalk attached to the roots. The roots are essential for regrowing.
• A container. A glass jar or cup works well to start. As they grow, you may need to transfer them to a taller vessel. Make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned.
• Water. Room temperature filtered water is ideal, as very hot or cold water can damage tender new roots. If tap water is your only option, let it sit out overnight so the chlorine dissipates before using.
• scissors. To snip off green tops as the onions grow.
• Optional: Potting mix and a planter for transitioning to soil growing.

How to Regrow Green Onions in Water

Growing green onions in water is the quickest way to get them regrowing. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Trim the Green Onions

Start with the leftover bottoms of green onions from the grocery store or fridge. Cut off any dried or slimy portions, leaving about 3 inches of the base and stalks.

2. Bundle the Stalks

Gather the green onion stalks together and secure them with a rubber band or twist tie (one previously used on store bought green onions works great). This helps them stay tidy and supported as they grow.

3. Add Water

Place the green onions in a jar or cup filled with 1 1/2 inches of room temperature filtered water. The roots should be fully submerged, while the stalks stay above the water line.

4. Put in Sunny Spot

Choose a spot near a sunny window for your green onions. A windowsill herb garden is perfect. The more sunlight the better, as it energizes growth.

5. Change the Water

Refresh the water every 2 days or whenever it looks cloudy. Use room temperature filtered water each time.

6. Watch Them Grow

The green onion stalks and roots will start growing quickly, sometimes overnight! In just a week or less they’ll be ready for harvest.

7. Snip and Use as Needed

Once the green tops reach 3-4 inches long, they’re ready to start snipping. Cut off what you need, while leaving at least an inch of stalk remaining. New greens will continue growing rapidly.

The green onions will last 2-3 weeks or a bit longer in water before needing to be transplanted to soil for extended harvests. Their quick growth makes them a fun herb for kids to observe too!

Transitioning to Soil

For ongoing harvests, replanting green onions in potting mix is recommended once the roots hit 2 inches long. Here’s how to transplant them:

Supplies Needed

• Green onions grown in water
• Potting soil
• Planter or pot with drainage holes
• Watering can

Instructions

1. Prepare the Planter

Choose a planter or pot at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes. Fill 3/4 full with moistened potting soil.

2. Separate the Bunched Stalks

Remove any rubber bands or ties from the green onions. Gently pull the stalks apart.

3. Make Holes in the Soil

Use your finger or a pen to poke 1-2 inch deep holes in the soil, spaced about 1 inch apart.

4. Plant the Green Onions

Place a single green onion stalk in each hole. Pack soil around the roots and stalks firmly but gently.

5. Water Well

Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the planter. This removes air pockets and evenly moistens the soil.

6. Enjoy Your Homegrown Herbs!

Set in a sunny window and water when the soil is partly dry. In about 2 weeks, snip fresh green onion greens as needed. They’ll continually regrow all season long with proper care.

Growing Green Onions in Soil from Seed

You can also grow green onions from seeds purchased at a garden store. This method takes longer, but lets you grow any variety of green onion.

Supplies Needed

• Green onion seeds
• Planter or pot
• Seed starting mix or potting soil
• Plastic cover or mini greenhouse dome (optional)
• Watering can
• Sunny windowsill

Instructions

1. Prepare the Planter

Select a planter at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes. Fill most of the way with moistened seed starting mix or potting soil.

2. Plant the Seeds

Follow the seed packet instructions for depth and spacing. Generally plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Gently cover seeds with soil.

3. Cover with Plastic (Optional)

Place a plastic dome or cover over the planter to retain moisture while seeds germinate. Remove any covers once sprouts appear.

4. Water and Wait

Keep soil moist but not soaked as seeds germinate, which takes 7-10 days. A spray bottle is useful for gently watering seedlings without disturbing them.

5. Thin Out Young Plants

Once green onions are 2-3 inches tall, thin them to 1 inch apart by snipping extra sprouts with scissors. Handle seedlings carefully.

6. Grow On

Set planter in full sun. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. In 50-70 days, green onions will be ready to start harvesting. Simply cut what you need and let the remainder continue growing.

That covers the basics of regrowing green onions from scraps in water or soil! Follow these simple steps for an endless supply of fresh green onions straight from your windowsill.

Troubleshooting Common Green Onion Growing Problems

While green onions are typically easy to grow, occasional issues can crop up. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Leggy growth – If stems become overly tall and weak, the plants are likely not getting enough sun. Move them to a brighter location.

Rotting roots or stalks – Remove any that are slimy or foul smelling immediately to prevent spreading. Change the water more often.

Pale leaves – This indicates a nutrient deficiency. Add a liquid fertilizer when growing in water. Repot in fresh soil as needed.

Tip burn – Brown dried edges on leaves shows too much fertilizer or salts building up. Flush soil by watering plants thoroughly.

Bolting – Premature flowering. Can happen if onions get too cold or hot. Try planting at optimal times.

Insects – Use neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays to control aphids, thrips, or onion maggots.

Diseases – Avoid overhead watering and provide good air circulation. Remove any plants with fungi.

With attentive care and prompt troubleshooting, you can keep green onions growing strong. Their versatility and convenience make homegrown green onions well worth the minimal effort.

How to Use and Store Homegrown Green Onions

• Add freshly cut green onion greens as a garnish or topping to virtually any savory dish. Soups, salads, eggs, rice, meat, and fish all love a sprinkle of green onions.
• Mince white and light green portions to mix into dips, sauces, dressings, pastas, etc. Their flavor mellows when cooked.
• Use the entire green onion stalks for pickling, grilling, roasting, or steaming.
• Store harvested green onion greens like cut flowers in a glass of water in the fridge for up to a week.
• Wrap whole green onions in a damp paper towel and place in a partially closed plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
• Frozen chopped green onions keep well in airtight containers or freezer bags for 4-6 months.
• Dehydrate excess green onion greens and grind into powder to sprinkle as seasoning.

Creative Ways to Use Homegrown Green Onions

Looking for fresh inspiration on how to use your green onion bounty? Here are some unique and tasty ways to enjoy their flavor:

• Infuse vinegar or oil with chopped green onions for a homemade condiment. Fantastic in salad dressings and marinades.
• Make green onion pesto with olive oil, green onions, nuts or seeds, parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Toss with pasta or spread on sandwiches.
• Mix chopped green onions into meatloaf, burgers, meatballs, etc. for extra moisture and flavor.
• Add green onions to your favorite egg salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, or tuna salad recipes.
• Grill larger green onion stalks drizzled with olive oil for a fun garnish on BBQ.
• Bake seasoned green onions into savory scones, breads, or muffins.
• Skewer and grill green onion stalks alongside shrimp, chicken, or steak.
• Top pizza with green onions caramelized in olive oil for a tasty twist.
• Whip up kimchi, pickles, or pickled red onions using green onion greens.

The mild onion-y taste of green onions enhances so many foods without overpowering them. They star in Asian and Mexican cuisines, but also work well in everything from breakfast strata to pasta primavera.

Next time you buy green onions at the store, save those bottoms! With minimal time and effort, you can regrow them in water or soil for a constant supply of one of the most useful herbs around.