🏠 Intro: From Trash to Treasure (Literally)
Malaysians throw away tons of edible plant parts every day — serai stalks, kangkung ends, leftover cili padi. But what if we told you that many of those scraps can be regrown right in your own kitchen or garden?
This guide shows you how to turn your everyday buangan dapur into a thriving, edible garden — no fancy tools, no pricey setups.
🥬 Why Regrow from Kitchen Scraps?
- It’s free and super beginner-friendly
- Reduces food waste
- Perfect for balcony or indoor gardeners
- Great project for kids and beginners
- Super satisfying to “rescue” plants and see them thrive
🌿 10 Edible Plants You Can Regrow from Scraps in Malaysia
1. Serai (Lemongrass)
- Keep the bottom 2–3 inches of the stalk
- Soak in a glass of water for 5–7 days
- Transfer to soil once roots and shoots appear
Use: Curries, teas, pest repellent
2. Daun Bawang (Spring Onion)
- Save the white root ends (1–2 inches)
- Place in a cup with shallow water
- Regrows in 3–5 days — just snip off what you need
Use: Garnishing, soups, omelettes
3. Kangkung (Water Spinach)
- Keep the bottom 3 inches of stem
- Place in water with indirect sunlight
- Roots develop in 2–3 days, ready to plant in soil
Use: Stir-fries, ulam, sambal kangkung
4. Sawi (Mustard Greens)
- Cut the base and place in shallow water
- Change water daily
- New leaves will sprout from the center
Use: Soups, stir-fry
5. Cili Padi / Cili Merah
- Use seeds from ripe chillies (non-hybrid)
- Rinse and dry seeds before sowing
- Plant in seed tray and watch them sprout in 1–2 weeks
Use: Sambal, stir-fry, kicap pedas
6. Bawang Putih (Garlic)
- Use a single clove with the pointed side up
- Plant directly into soil or start in water
- Sprouts into garlic greens — or wait 3–4 months for bulbs
Use: Seasoning, ulam, soups
7. Daun Sup (Chinese Celery)
- Save the base of the plant
- Soak the root end in water for 3–5 days
- Transfer to pot with moist soil
Use: Soups, nasi goreng, garnishing
8. Ubi Keledek (Sweet Potato)
- Place half a sweet potato in water
- Shoots (called slips) will grow in a few weeks
- Twist off slips and plant in soil
Use: Leaves for stir-fry, tubers later
9. Pandan Leaf (Pokok Pandan)
- Save a healthy root section (from friends/neighbours)
- Plant directly in moist soil with partial sun
- Water consistently until new shoots emerge
Use: Nasi lemak, desserts, natural air freshener
10. Basil / Thai Basil
- Save healthy stems (4–6 inches long)
- Remove lower leaves and place in water
- Roots in 5–7 days — transplant into soil
Use: Laksa, tom yam, garnishing
🪴 Pro Tips for Growing from Scraps
| Tip | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Use clean containers | Prevents rot & bacterial infection |
| Change water every 1–2 days | Keeps scraps healthy and fresh |
| Use indirect sunlight | Direct sun may “cook” delicate roots |
| Transition slowly to soil | Let the plant get strong roots before moving |
| Be patient | Not every scrap will sprout, and that’s okay |
🧑🌾 Simple Setup Ideas
- Old jam jars or yogurt cups for water propagation
- Egg cartons for seed starting
- Hanging baskets for herbs and spring onion
- Balcony railing pots for pandan, serai, cili
♻️ Keep It Going: From Scrap to Supply
Once your regrown plants mature, you can harvest continuously. Some — like daun bawang and kangkung — can be cut multiple times. Others will grow into full-fledged plants producing more food than you imagined from a humble kitchen scrap.
📸 Share Your Scrap Success
Have a successful regrow? Post it and tag us @projectharvest.my. We’d love to feature your garden glow-up!