How To Grow Green Onions From Cuttings

I was talking to my friend over at the no dig garden on youtube and he reminded me of a way to reuse spring onions. Green onions also known as spring onions and scallions are an easy crop to grow from seed. If you are into recycling then you need to learn how to grow green onions from cuttings.

How To Grow Green Onions From Cuttings

This is a great way to get young children into growing their own food as the results are really fast and it’s so simple. All you need is:-

1. A bunch of green/spring onions
2. A knife or scissors
3. A jar of water

Just cut the onions leaving around an inch (2.5 cm) of onion attached to the root. Place the root in the jar filled with water (I used a shot glass). After a couple of days the green shoots will start growing from the cut part.

The other way to do this which is less bothersome is to plant the cut root section in some compost and allow to grow. I say less bothersome because eventually you will have to pot on from the jar and the water in the jar needs replacing regularly.

Planting Spring Onions From Supermarket

Any spring onions will regrow as long as they have some root attached so supermarket ones are fine. It’s better if they are organic or at least fresh but this will work with spring onions past their sell by date (within reason).

How Many Times Can You Regrow Green Onions?

Almost indefinitely is the short answer, as long as you keep snipping the tops off to eat and leave the root growing. Like all plants the will to survive is strong so the plants will continue to grow. If you allow the plant to flower and set seed it will then die so remove flowers, they are edible.

Will This Work For Any Other Type Of Plant?

This can definitely be used for leeks but you will probably only get one or two more cuttings from leeks. Everybody knows about growing carrot tops but you won’t produce roots from this only leaves and eventually flowers/seeds. I grow Egyptian (walking onions in my garden and this works with those as well.

So why not give it a go? Save money, reduce waste and regrow your green onions.

Below are some photos of my green onion cuttings.