What if I told you that the celery you’re tossing in the trash could keep feeding you for months—maybe even forever? Yep, that stubby little base leftover from dinner isn’t useless at all. In fact, with just a glass of water and a sunny spot, you can regrow crisp, fresh celery right on your windowsill.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete newbie, this simple celery regrowth trick is a no-fuss way to grow your own food at home. Ready to never buy celery again? Let’s dive in.
🧤 What You’ll Need
Good news—this trick doesn’t require soil, fertilizer, or even a garden. Here’s all you need:
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A fresh celery stalk (store-bought is fine)
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A sharp knife
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A shallow bowl or glass
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Clean water
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A sunny windowsill or well-lit spot
Step-by-Step: How to Regrow Celery from Scraps
1. Slice and Save the Base
After using your celery, don’t throw away the bottom! Simply slice off the bottom 2–3 inches of the celery stalk. That little “stump” is the key to your celery comeback.
2. Set It in Water
Place the celery base, cut side up, in a shallow bowl. Fill the bowl with just enough water to cover about 1 inch of the base. You don’t want it fully submerged—just the roots need to soak.
3. Let There Be Light
Put the bowl on a sunny windowsill. Celery loves the light, and you’ll start seeing signs of new growth within 3 to 5 days. It’s a bit like magic—tiny yellow-green shoots will start poking out from the center.
4. Change the Water Regularly
To avoid mold or rot, swap out the water every other day. Keep the bowl clean and the water fresh. Your celery will thank you by growing stronger and faster.
5. Transfer to Soil (Optional)
After about 10 to 14 days, once the roots have formed and the leafy tops are several inches tall, you can move the plant to soil. This step isn’t required, but if you want a larger, longer-lasting harvest, a small pot or garden bed will help it thrive.
Bonus Tips for Bigger, Healthier Celery
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Use organic celery if you can—non-organic may have been treated with growth inhibitors.
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Don’t drown it. Too much water can lead to rot. Keep it shallow.
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Rotate the bowl daily so the plant grows evenly.
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Fertilize lightly if you move it to soil. Compost or a diluted liquid fertilizer works great.
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Harvest outer stalks first to allow the inner ones to keep growing.
How Long Will It Keep Growing?
Indoors in water, your celery will regrow leaves and mini stalks for a few weeks—enough for garnishes, soups, and snacks. But if you transplant it to soil, it can grow full-sized stalks and keep going for months.
Even better? You can keep doing this over and over again. One base turns into another harvest… then another. It’s like hitting the produce jackpot with every grocery run.
💡 Why This Works
Celery, like many vegetables (think green onions, romaine lettuce, and leeks), has regenerative tissue in its base. As long as you give it water, light, and a bit of patience, that tissue kicks back into action and starts growing again—no seeds needed.
How to Use Regrown Celery in the Kitchen
Your homegrown celery might not look as thick as the grocery store version, but it’s just as tasty. Use the leaves and stalks in:
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Salads
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Soups and stews
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Smoothies (yes, really!)
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Stir-fries
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Homemade broths
Don’t forget—you can even use the flavorful leaves like parsley.
Final Thoughts: The Easiest Way to Grow Your Own Food
There’s something satisfying about growing your own celery from what would’ve been food waste. It’s frugal, eco-friendly, and honestly pretty fun to watch. Whether you’re tight on space or just love a good DIY project, this regrowth hack is the perfect start to your indoor gardening journey.
So next time you slice up a bunch of celery, pause before tossing that base. Set it in a bowl, give it some sun, and let nature do its thing. With this one simple trick, you’ll be harvesting fresh celery again and again.
✅ Quick Recap: How to Regrow Celery Forever
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Slice the base and place it in shallow water
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Keep it in sunlight and change water every 2 days
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Watch new leaves sprout in 3–5 days
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Transplant to soil for a full celery plant
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Harvest and repeat—endless celery!