Curious About How To Grow Onions From Onions? Here's Your Easy Start!

Curious About How To Grow Onions From Onions? Here's Your Easy Start!

Growing onions from onions is one of those deeply satisfying gardening tricks that feels a little like cheating. You take something from your kitchen, put it in the dirt, and—bam—you’ve got fresh green shoots and, eventually, a whole new onion.

Choosing The Right Onion To Regrow

Not all onions are equally eager to regenerate. Look for one that’s already sprouting—a green shoot poking out from the top is a dead giveaway. If you don’t have a sprouted one, choose a firm bulb with no signs of rot.

Organic onions work best since conventional ones are often treated with growth inhibitors. If your onions never seem to sprout on the counter, that’s probably why.

Cut, Plant, And Watch It Grow

1. Prep Your Onion

Slice the onion about an inch above the root end. This is the part that holds all the magic. Let it dry for a few hours to reduce the risk of rot.

2. Get It In The Soil

Bury the root end in a pot or directly in your garden, cut side up, about an inch deep. Water lightly. Too much moisture early on will turn it into mush instead of a thriving plant.

3. Patience And A Bit Of Water

In a few days, you’ll see green shoots emerge. That’s when you know it’s working. Keep the soil slightly damp but not soggy.

Onion Growth Stages—What To Expect

• First Two Weeks: Green shoots grow taller. Roots begin to establish.
• One Month In: Leaves thicken, and the base starts swelling.
• Two To Three Months: The bulb forms underground. This is when patience pays off.

If you let onions go to seed, they’ll self-sow and surprise you the following season—unexpected onions popping up in random corners of the garden.

Harvesting And Long-Term Strategy

Onions are ready when their green tops fall over and start drying out. Dig them up, let them cure in a warm, dry place, and store them somewhere cool. For an endless supply, save the best bulbs and repeat the cycle.

There’s something primal about pulling onions from the dirt, knowing they started as scraps. It’s gardening at its most efficient—no waste, just more food.

So, now you know how to grow onions from onions. It’s a simple, satisfying process that turns yesterday’s kitchen scraps into tomorrow’s garden stars. Cut the bulb with care, plant the pieces with purpose, and let nature work its magic. Water when the soil feels thirsty, give them sun like they’re on holiday, and watch the green shoots promise what’s to come.

The beauty of this approach? You’re creating an endless cycle of growth—transforming what was once waste into something edible and alive. It’s a reminder that even the most humble ingredients can surprise you when given the chance. So grab that onion stub, plant it, and get your hands dirty. The reward isn’t just another onion—it’s another connection to the ground beneath your feet.