The demand for homegrown vegetables is rising post-COVID-19. Quick-growing options are popular, but some seeds require time to cultivate. Alternatively, these 12 vegetables can be grown from cuttings. With sunlight, patience, and proper positioning, you can repurpose kitchen scraps for a successful harvest. Check out the list below to get started!
#1.Fenugreek
Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Characteristics: Fenugreek (methi) plants have a rapid growth cycle, maturing in under 30 days from seed to harvest. Beyond its ornamental value, this easy-to-cultivate herb offers medicinal properties, unique flavor, and soil enhancement benefits.
Cultivation: Ensure well-watered seeds upon planting, maintaining consistently moist soil. Proper drainage is vital to prevent excess moisture. Avoid overwatering to prevent stunted growth due to overly damp soil.
#2.Arugula
Scientific Name: Eruca sativa
Characteristics: Arugula’s peppery taste evolves into bitterness with maturity. Rich in natural compounds that reduce inflammation and combat certain cancers, it’s also a significant source of vitamin K, supporting bone health and preventing osteoporosis.
Cultivation: Arugula thrives in sunny gardens, with optimal planting during cooler spring or fall days. Enriched soil fosters its growth, and regular feeding with plant food enhances its development.
#3.Green Onions
Scientific Name: Allium cepa
Characteristics: Crisp and succulent green onions exhibit a bold, grassy, subtly sour flavor profile. Packed with calcium, vitamin A, beta-carotene, folate, and vitamin C, they offer nutritional value alongside taste.
Cultivation: Green onions flourish in full sunlight, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct exposure daily. Well-draining, fertile soil suits them best, making raised beds an ideal growing environment.
#4.Spinach
Scientific Name: Spinacia oleracea
Characteristics: Spinach offers versatility in consumption, raw or cooked, with exceptional nutritional value. Rich in vitamins A, B, and C, iron, calcium, and more.
Cultivation: Plant spinach seeds in soil with temperatures around 40°F, allowing six weeks for cool weather growth before harvest.
#5.Pea Shoots
Scientific Name: Spinacia oleracea
Characteristics: Pea shoots grow rapidly and can thrive indoors or outdoors. Packed with vitamin C, as well as vitamins A, B6, E, and K.
Cultivation: Grow pea shoots in well-prepared soil, either outdoors or in containers. Shallow trenches or broad, shallow containers work well.
#6.Garden Cress
Scientific Name: Lepidium sativum
Characteristics: Fresh cress offers a peppery taste and serves as a salad green and garnish. Packed with nutrients, bone-boosting, and immune system support.
Cultivation: Microgreens like cress can flourish indoors even in dim lighting. Warmer regions see quicker growth, while colder climates require extended growing time.
#7.Microgreens
Various Microgreens: Mustard Greens, Kale, Arugula, Radish Greens, Watercress, Peas, Cabbage, Basil.
Characteristics: Microgreens enhance dishes with unique flavors and visual appeal. Quick growth and delicate appearance add elegance to cuisine.
Cultivation: Moisten soil, allow microgreens to sprout, and harvest in about two weeks. Fresh seeds and soil are needed for subsequent growth.
#8.Lettuce
Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa
Characteristics: Lettuce species, often raw in salads, offer vitamins K and A. Versatile and suitable for microgreens.
Cultivation: Lettuce thrives in spring and fall, enjoying temperatures of 60-70°F. Some types can be harvested as microgreens.
#9.Water Spinach
Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa
Characteristics: Water spinach boasts a mild, nutty flavor with sweet undertones when cooked. Rich in nutrients and tender leaves.
Cultivation: Plant water spinach in well-drained soil, requiring at least four hours of direct sunlight daily.
#10.Malabar Spinach
Scientific Name: Basella alba
Characteristics: Malabar spinach leaves are rich in calcium, iron, vitamins A, B, and C, antioxidants, and low in calories.
Cultivation: Start seeds indoors before last frost, transplant after germination, and provide ample water throughout the growing season.
#11.Wild Pepper
Scientific Name: Piper sarmentosum
Characteristics: Used for food and medicine, leaves possess a faint pepper aroma and mild bitterness. Historically employed for various treatments.
Cultivation: Wild pepper plants require frequent watering throughout the growing season.
#12.Perilla Plants
Scientific Name: Perilla frutescens
Characteristics: Perilla offers culinary and medicinal uses, with a distinctive flavor profile. Effective for asthma and stomach discomfort.
Cultivation: Start perilla seeds indoors, ensuring warmth for germination, and transplant seedlings when they reach three inches in height.
