Replant Green Onion Bulbs: Extend the Life of Your Green Onions

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Green onions are one of those ingredients I always seem to need… and somehow always forget to grab.

But once I started regrowing them at home, that problem completely disappeared.

This is one of those simple kitchen habits that just makes sense—less waste, fewer grocery trips, and fresh green onions ready whenever you need them.

And the best part? It takes almost no effort.

Why You’ll Love This

Reduces food waste (use every part!)
Saves money over time
A more forgiving method (no egg panic here)
Ready in about 30 minutes
Fancy enough for date night, easy enough for a Tuesday

Part of My Cooking School Series

This is one of those small kitchen skills that adds up over time.

Learning how to use ingredients fully—not just what you cook, but how you think about food—is what builds confidence in the kitchen.

How to Grow Green Onions (Two Easy Methods)

There are two simple ways to grow green onions at home—and both work whether they’re from the grocery store or the farmer’s market.

Method One: Growing in Water (Quick + Easy)

This method grows green onions quickly, but it’s best for short-term use.

Place the green onion bulbs in a small glass or jar with just enough water to cover the roots.

Set them near a window where they’ll get natural light.

To keep them fresh (and not… funky 😅), change the water every couple of days.

👉 Tip: If the water starts to look cloudy or smell, it’s time for a refresh.

Method Two: Growing in Soil (long-Term Option)

This method takes just a little more effort, but it will keep producing as long as you care for it.

1) Leave about 1–2 inches of the white bulb

When you cut your green onions, save the bottom portion with the roots intact.
This is the part that will regrow.

2) Plant in a planter or in the ground

You can plant these directly into soil—either in a garden bed or a small planter.

In the summer, I love tucking mine into outdoor planters alongside basil and lettuce. It ends up being both useful andreally pretty.

3) Water right away

Give them a good watering after planting.

Since they sit close to the surface, gently brush away any extra soil covering the tops of the bulbs so they can sprout easily.

4) Let them grow

Patience, my friend.

Green onions typically grow back to full size (about 8–24 inches) within 1–2 weeks.

5) When ready to use

Once they’ve grown, you’ve got a couple of options:

Snip about ½ inch above the soil → they’ll continue to regrow
Pull the whole onion → cut about an inch above the root → replant and start again

Green onion bulbs — **Before Planting**
These little bulbs may look like kitchen scraps, but they’re actually tiny superheroes just waiting for their comeback story.

Green onions showing a small amount of growth after just 3 days of being planted — **Before Planting**
These little bulbs may look like kitchen scraps, but they’re actually tiny superheroes just waiting for their comeback story.

Water vs Soil (Which is Better?)

You can regrow green onions in either water or soil—both work, but a little differently.

Water:

Fast and easy
Great for short-term use
Best for keeping on the counter

Soil:

Stronger, longer-lasting growth
Better flavor over time
Great if you want a more “set it and forget it” option

If you’re just starting, stick with water. It’s the easiest way to build the habit.

What to Expect

Day 1: Freshly placed in water
Day 3: Noticeable growth
Day 7: Ready to trim and use

(This is one of those things that feels oddly satisfying to watch happen.)

Jenn’s Kitchen Tip

Change the water every 1–2 days
Don’t submerge the entire bulb (just the roots)
Give them natural light
If they start to look slimy → rinse + refresh water

finished Mashed potato pancakes close up

Ways to Use Your Green Onions

These are perfect for finishing dishes and adding fresh flavor:

Noodles and stir fry
Scrambled eggs
Fried rice
Soups and stews
Salads

Try these recipes

Cooking With Kids

This is such a fun one to do with kids.

Let them “plant” the onions in the jar
Check growth together each day
Talk about how food grows

It’s simple, hands-on, and a great introduction to kitchen basics.

FAQ

Can I regrow green onions in water only?

Yes! That’s the easiest method and works great for short-term regrowth.

How many times can you regrow them?

Usually a few cycles. Over time, growth may slow or become thinner.

Why are my green onions not growing?

Make sure they’re getting light, clean water, and that the roots are still intact.

Do store-bought green onions work?

Yes—this works perfectly with standard grocery store green onions.

Storage + Long Term Tips

If you want to keep them going longer:

Replace bulbs once they stop producing well
Transfer to soil after a few regrowth cycles
Trim regularly to encourage new growth

Did You Try This?

I’d love to hear how your green onions are growing—share your updates and leave a comment below. If you share on Instagram, tag me @jenngiamsmith—I’ll feature your creations in my stories!

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