How to Grow Green Onions in a Pot (Even From Scraps)
Green onions, also called scallions, might be the easiest herb you can grow at home. They do well in small pots, handle less sun than most herbs, grow back after every cut and can even sprout from the root ends of the bunch you bought at the grocery store.
To grow green onions in a pot, use a container with drainage holes and light potting mix, place it somewhere bright with a few hours of sun, and plant from seed, from a nursery clump or by replanting the white root ends of store-bought scallions. Water when the top of the soil feels dry and cut the leaves an inch or two above the base so they keep regrowing.
In this guide, you’ll learn what green onions need, three ways to plant them, how to cut them for endless regrowth and how to fix the most common problems.
Why are green onions great for beginners?
Green onions are forgiving. They tolerate partial shade, don’t need a big pot, grow fast and bounce back after every harvest. If you’ve never grown anything before, they’re the herb that rewards you the quickest.
- They regrow on their own: cut the leaves and new ones appear within days.
- They fit in tight spaces: small pots, window boxes and wall planters all work.
- They handle less light: they prefer sun but adapt to bright spots without all-day sun.
- They can start for free: just replant the root ends from a grocery-store bunch.
What do green onions need to grow well?
Green onions need light, well-draining soil and regular watering. They like a few hours of direct sun a day but also grow in bright spots with indirect light. Keep the soil lightly moist, never soggy.
- Light: morning sun is ideal. In kitchens with limited light, they’re one of the best choices, along with parsley and mint.
- Pot: a small or medium pot with drainage holes is plenty. Long window boxes let you plant several clumps side by side.
- Soil: light, fluffy potting mix with a little compost or worm castings. See how to use compost in pots.
- Water: whenever the top of the soil feels dry.
Because they take up so little room, green onions are also perfect for wall gardens. Our guide to vertical gardens in an apartment has ideas if you’re short on counter space.
How to regrow green onions from scraps
Cut the green onions, leaving the white part with the roots about an inch or two tall, and plant those root ends in a pot of moist soil with the roots down and the cut tip up. Within a few days, fresh green shoots will start growing from the center.
- Pick a bunch with roots still attached and firm white ends, with no mushy spots.
- Cut off the green tops to use in your cooking, keeping the white ends with the roots.
- Optional: stand the root ends in a glass with a little water for a few days, just covering the roots, to wake them up. Change the water often.
- Plant them in soil, burying the white part and leaving only the tip above the surface. Leave a little space between each one.
- Water and place in a bright spot.
You can keep regrowing green onions in water alone for a while, but the leaves get thinner each time because water has no nutrients. In soil, they live much longer and give you better harvests.
How to grow green onions from seed
From seed, green onions take longer to reach harvest size, but they form strong, long-lasting clumps. It’s a good option if you want a full window box.
- Fill the pot with moist potting mix.
- Scatter the seeds over the surface or sow them in shallow rows.
- Cover with a thin layer of soil.
- Keep the soil lightly moist by misting until the seeds sprout.
- Once the seedlings are sturdy, thin out the weakest ones if they’re too crowded.
Wait until the leaves are tall and firm before your first harvest. Cutting too early weakens the plant.
How to plant green onions from a clump
If a friend grows green onions or you find a nursery plant, this is the fastest route. A clump is made of several small plants growing together, and each one can become a new plant.
- Gently slide the clump out of its pot.
- Pull it apart with your fingers into small groups, each with roots.
- Replant the groups in pots with fresh potting mix, at the same depth they were growing.
- Water well and keep them in bright, indirect light for a few days before moving them into the sun.
Dividing your clumps every so often also refreshes plants that have outgrown their pot.
How to cut green onions so they keep growing back
Snip the leaves with clean scissors, leaving an inch or two above the soil. The plant uses that base to push out new growth. Harvest the outer, taller leaves first and let the center ones keep growing.
- Don’t cut to the soil line: the plant takes much longer to recover.
- Rotate your harvests: if you have several clumps, cut one at a time so you always have some ready.
- Feed them now and then: since they regrow so many times, a little compost on top keeps the leaves deep green.
Common problems with green onions in pots
Green onions are tough, but a few signs tell you something needs adjusting. Here are the most common ones:
| Sign | Most likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow or dry tips | Underwatering, harsh afternoon sun or lack of nutrients | Adjust watering, shield from strong afternoon sun and add compost |
| Thin, floppy leaves | Not enough light | Move the pot to a brighter spot |
| Soft or dark base | Overwatering | Let the soil dry between waterings and check the drainage holes |
| Weaker regrowth each time | Crowded pot or depleted soil | Divide the clump and replant in fresh potting mix |
| A white flower appears on top | Mature plant starting to flower | Snip off the flower stalk to keep the leaves tender |
Green onions, scallions and chives: what’s the difference?
Green onions and scallions are the same thing in most US grocery stores: long, hollow leaves with a mild onion flavor and a small white base. Chives are a different plant, with much thinner leaves and a more delicate taste. Both grow well in pots and need the same basic care. Bulb onions, on the other hand, need more space and time, so they’re less suited to apartment gardens.
How to get started with green onions in a pot
The fastest way is the grocery-store method: next time you buy green onions, save the root ends and follow this checklist:
- Get a pot with drainage holes.
- Use light potting mix with a little compost.
- Plant the white ends with the roots facing down.
- Place it somewhere bright, ideally with morning sun.
- Water when the top of the soil dries out.
- Cut an inch or two above the base so they regrow.
Green onions are just the beginning. To build a complete herb garden, check out our complete kitchen herb garden guide. And if you have a sunny corner, learn how to grow basil in a pot too.
Green onions in pots: frequently asked questions
Do green onions need full sun?
Green onions prefer sun but tolerate partial shade. Morning sun or a few hours of direct light a day is ideal. In bright spots without direct sun, they still grow, just more slowly and with thinner leaves. In deep shade, they weaken.
Can you grow green onions in water only?
You can regrow green onions in water for a while, and it’s a handy way to wake up the roots before planting. But without soil they get no nutrients, and the leaves come back thinner after every cut. For long-term harvests, move them to a pot with soil.
How many times can green onions regrow?
Many times. With good light, regular watering and a little compost now and then, green onions keep regrowing cut after cut for a long time. When regrowth starts to slow down, divide the clump and replant it in fresh soil.
Can I grow green onions and parsley in the same pot?
Yes. Both like similar conditions, with good light and lightly moist soil. Use a larger pot or a window box so each has enough room for its roots.
Should I cut the flowers off green onions?
If you want leaves, yes. The flower stalk is tougher, and the plant spends energy making seeds. Snipping off the flower keeps the leaves tender. The flowers are edible too and make a pretty garnish.
Can green onions grow in a small pot?
Yes. Green onions have short roots and do well in small pots, as long as there are drainage holes. Just keep in mind that small pots dry out faster, so check the soil more often on hot days.
