Can you regrow carrot tops in water? Yes, but only the leafy greens. Cut about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the top of a whole carrot, set it cut side down in a shallow dish with 1/2 in (1.3 cm) of water, and clean the dish every 3–4 days. Greens and thin roots appear, but Oregon State Extension confirms no new carrot will grow.
Key takeaway: Carrot tops in water are a fun, low-cost way to grow edible carrot greens or a kitchen science project. To get real carrots again, you need seed.
| Factor | Carrot tops in water | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What to cut | About 1 in (2.5 cm) from the top of a whole carrot | Penn State |
| Water depth | About 1/2 in (1.3 cm) | Penn State |
| Cleaning | Rinse the container every 3–4 days, no soap | Penn State |
| What regrows | Leaves and fibrous roots only | Oregon State |
| New carrot root? | No; the taproot growing point is gone | Oregon State |
| Harvest greens | After a few weeks | Penn State |
Why Won’t Carrot Tops in Water Grow a New Carrot?
Oregon State Extension explains that once the taproot (the orange carrot) is removed, it can’t grow another. Cutting off the top removes the growing point for the taproot but keeps the growing tip that makes leaves. That leaf meristem can also produce new adventitious, or fibrous, roots, but not a taproot. An OSU Master Gardener article puts it bluntly: time-lapse videos show sprouts coming from a carrot top, then stop, because no actual carrot is ever pulled from that windowsill pot.
How Do You Grow Carrot Tops in Water Step by Step?
Penn State Extension’s Master Gardeners use this simple method.
- Use whole carrots, not pre-cut baby carrots, which have no crown.
- Cut about 1 in (2.5 cm) from the top of each carrot.
- Trim old leaf stalks back to short stubs if any remain.
- Place cut side down in a flat dish, saucer or shallow container.
- Add about 1/2 in (1.3 cm) of room-temperature water.
- Set it in a sunny spot, such as a bright windowsill.
- Top up the water to keep a steady 1/2 in (1.3 cm) level.
- Clean the dish every 3–4 days: set the tops on a paper towel, rinse the container with warm water and refill. Penn State warns not to use soap, which can harm the plants.
- Harvest the greens after a few weeks.
How Fast Do Carrot Tops in Water Grow?
Penn State’s photos show carrot tops almost ready to harvest after a few weeks. Once roots form, the pieces absorb water faster, so check the level daily. Growth is quickest in a warm, bright spot; a dim kitchen corner gives pale, weak stems.
| Stage | What you’ll see |
|---|---|
| First days | Tiny green shoots at the crown |
| Roots form | Thin white fibrous roots from the cut base; water use rises |
| A few weeks | Feathery greens ready to snip |
Are Carrot Greens From Carrot Tops in Water Edible?
Yes. Penn State notes fresh carrot greens grow quickly and taste delicious, and suggests using them alongside regrown celery and romaine in meals. Snip leaves as needed and use them like parsley in pesto, salads, soups or chimichurri. The cut crown will eventually run out of stored energy, so expect one or two small harvests, not an endless supply.
Can You Get Seeds From Carrot Tops in Water?
Oregon State says the only way to get another carrot is to let the top flower, produce seed, then plant that seed. That’s harder than it sounds. Carrots are biennial in habit: a USDA Agricultural Research Service seed-production guide from Philipp Simon explains that seed growers first produce sound roots, then give them 6–8 weeks of cold at 36–41°F (2–5°C) before they flower. ARS also notes carrot seed must be produced where no wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) is growing. And Oregon State points out that almost all store vegetables are hybrids, whose seed may not grow true. A small top in a dish is a long shot for seed.
What Goes Wrong With Carrot Tops in Water?
- Slimy, smelly base: water left too long. Rinse the container every 3–4 days as Penn State advises.
- No sprouts: the crown was cut off, or you used peeled baby carrots.
- Pale, stretched greens: not enough light; move to a sunnier window.
- Green film in the dish: algae from light and stale water. See algae in hydroponic reservoirs.
- Chlorine smell from tap water: let water stand or read our guide to chlorine and chloramine.
Do Carrot Tops in Water Need Fertilizer?
No. The crown runs on energy stored in that last inch of root, and Penn State’s method uses plain water only. Adding plant food to a shallow, sunny dish mostly feeds algae and bacteria, which makes the base rot sooner. If you want a longer-lived plant, move the rooted top into potting mix once it has a good tuft of fibrous roots, then feed lightly as you would any container plant.
Which Kitchen Scraps Regrow Like Carrot Tops in Water?
| Scrap | What regrows | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Carrot top | Greens only | Oregon State, Penn State |
| Celery base | Leafy stalks from the base | Penn State |
| Romaine base | New leaves from the core | Penn State, Oregon State |
| Beet or turnip top | Greens only; no new root | Oregon State |
For more scrap projects, see growing a pineapple top in water, regrowing green onions and our list of plants that grow in water.
Are Carrot Tops in Water a Good Project for Kids?
Very. Penn State’s version is written for young gardeners working with an adult, who handles the knife. Kids can watch roots appear, track growth with a ruler and taste the greens. Pair it with a celery base in the same dish, since Penn State notes all three vegetables use the same 1/2 in (1.3 cm) of water. Our hydroponics with kids guide has more ideas.
How Do You Grow Real Carrots Without Soil?
Start from seed in a deep container or a system with plenty of root room. Our guide on how to grow carrots hydroponically covers depth and media.
FAQ About Carrot Tops in Water
Will carrot tops in water grow a new carrot?
No. Oregon State says only leaves and fibrous roots regrow.
Can I use baby carrots?
No. Penn State says use whole carrots; baby carrots lack the crown.
How much water do carrot tops need?
About 1/2 in (1.3 cm) in a flat dish.
How often should I change the water?
Clean the container and refresh the water every 3–4 days.
Can I plant a rooted carrot top in soil?
Yes, for greens or flowers, but it still won’t form a new carrot.
Sources
- Oregon State University Extension — Can I Regrow Carrots by Planting the Tops?
- Penn State Extension — Growing Gardeners: Growing Veggies From Veggies
- N. Sanchez, Oregon State University Extension — Five Reasons Behind Kitchen Scrap Repurposing Failures
- P. Simon, USDA Agricultural Research Service — Carrot Seed Production
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Carrot Tops, Cleobury Mortimer – geograph.org.uk – 3826624 by Philip Pankhurst (CC BY-SA 2.0); Pile of Carrots by Adimora chidinma (CC BY-SA 4.0); Basilikum (Ocimum basilicum) Stecklinge — Josef Schlaghecken by Schlaghecken Josef (CC BY-SA 4.0); Starr-210221-9070-Daucus carota subsp sativus-harvested from veggie garden mostly Chantenay type-Hawea Pl Olinda-Maui (51074739266) by Forest and Kim Starr (CC BY 2.0); Ficus cuttings with roots in a bottle, White background by Biusch (CC BY-SA 3.0)