How to Re-Grow Bok Choy From Scraps

Bok choy is one of my favorite leafy greens. Some crisp and juicy green leaves can really make a soup or stir fry feel full!

Since it can be an expensive ingredient compared to other vegetables like cabbage, it is a special treat in my household.

That’s why I was excited to learn that you can easily regrow it from a stalk.

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Keep reading to learn a simple and fun technique for regrowing bok choy from a cutting.

Bok choy, also known as pak choi, is a fast-growing cruciferous vegetable that is a staple in Chinese cuisine.

It is easy to grow, and thrives in cool climates. You can learn more about growing bok choy at home in our complete growing guide.

If you bought a bunch from the grocery store or farmers’ market, you can easily reuse the leftover stalks to grow your own!

This way:

all you need is a bowl of water

First, when you remove the greens from the stalks, be sure to leave a few inches at the base intact. For best results, cut where the stem meets the leaves.

Photo by Heather Buckner.

Next, fill a bowl with at least an inch or two of water. I find that a shallow bowl two to three inches deep works well.

Dip the stalk in water so that the leaves are facing up and exposed to the air. If you like, you can stick toothpicks around the outside of the base to support it on the side of the bowl.

I’ve also had success using a narrow-mouthed mason jar with the leaves hanging over the edge so the plant floats on the surface.

Photo by Heather Buckner.

Place the bowl near a warm window where the plant can get some sunlight.

Change the water every couple of days to keep it fresh.

Watch for signs of growth

After a few days, you will notice that the outer part of the plant is starting to turn yellow. Soon, the center will begin to grow, turning a deep green over time.

Photo by Heather Buckner.

You can lift the plant out of the water and inspect the bottom for signs of root growth. You’ll see white bumps at first where the roots will emerge, and after a week or two, roots will begin to appear.

plant it in some soil

Once the center has developed new leafy growth and roots are visible, you may choose to remove the bok choy from the water and plant it in a pot with soil or directly into the garden.

This step isn’t required, but doing so will give the plant the nutrients it needs to grow in size, and you may be able to get two or three smaller crops from one plant.

Start by removing some of the yellow outer stalks to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of mold. Next, plant the bok choy so that the roots and base are buried about an inch deep, with the top of the original cutting and any new growth above the soil surface.

Water abundantly and keep moist, but don’t let the soil become waterlogged.

Now sit back and watch it grow!

You can start harvesting the leaves when you need them, or harvest the entire plant after it matures in two to three months.

Don’t trash those scraps!

Next time you pick a bunch of bok choy, instead of throwing away the scraps, why not try regrowing them?

So simple and fun, there really is nothing to lose! Trust me, the whole family will enjoy watching those deep green leaves rebloom, which seems like magic.

Have you ever re-grown bok choy from a stalk? Share your experience in the comments below!

Did you know that you can grow lots of crops from scraps? You can learn more about other fruits and vegetables you can grow from kitchen scraps in these guides: