Growing carrots from their tops is a simple kitchen-scrap project that allows for the regeneration of edible foliage. This process utilizes the top section of the carrot, known as the crown, which contains dormant growth tissue. By providing the correct environment, this crown can reactivate its growth centers to produce new, fern-like leaves. This regeneration is often successful even on a sunny windowsill.
Understanding What You Are Growing
The goal of this project is not to grow a new, full-sized root vegetable. The orange portion of the plant is the carrot’s taproot, a storage organ that does not regenerate once severed. When the carrot is cut, the primary growing point for the taproot is removed, making the formation of a new, substantial carrot impossible.
The remaining crown still contains meristematic tissue, which is the site of active cell division and growth. This tissue is responsible for producing the plant’s foliage and can also initiate the growth of new, fine adventitious roots. These roots help stabilize the crown and absorb moisture, but they are fibrous and cannot develop into the large, fleshy storage taproot. The energy required for the new leafy growth is drawn from the sugars stored within the remaining piece of the original carrot.
Setting Up the Carrot Top for Regrowth
To begin the process, select a fresh carrot and cut off the top portion, leaving about three-quarters to one inch of the root intact. This remaining section, or stump, must include the entire crown where the leaves originate. The initial focus is to encourage the growth of new, fine roots and re-activate the leaf buds.
There are two primary methods for the initial setup: water or soil. For the water method, place the carrot stump cut-side down in a shallow dish containing only about a half-inch of water. The base should be submerged, but the crown itself must remain above the waterline to prevent rot.
Place the dish on a windowsill that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Change the water daily to prevent stagnation and bacterial growth.
Alternatively, you can plant the top directly into a small container filled with a well-draining potting mix. Nest the stump into the soil so the cut, orange portion is mostly covered, leaving the green crown just above the soil line. Ensure the container has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging and keep the soil consistently moist.
Growth Timeline and Expected Results
New green shoots, which are the initial leaf sprouts, often emerge from the center of the crown in as little as three to seven days. Simultaneously, small, white, hair-like roots may begin to appear around the submerged edge of the carrot stump.
Within one to two weeks, the new foliage will become visibly substantial, forming a small cluster of lacy, bright green leaves. This growth is sustained by the limited nutrients and water absorbed by the new adventitious roots, as well as the stored energy in the carrot crown.
The resulting greens are completely edible and possess a flavor profile often described as earthy and slightly bitter, similar to parsley. These fresh greens can be harvested for culinary uses, such as a garnish, or as a flavorful addition to salads and pesto.
To ensure continued growth, clip only the outer leaves, leaving the center growth points intact. However, the growth is temporary because the process relies on the finite stored energy of the original root piece. The plant will eventually exhaust its resources and decline, typically after a few weeks to a couple of months.