How to Grow a Beet in Water Without Seeds

Place a beet in water to produce shoots and greens.

Growing a beet in water is a rewarding, hands-on way to teach children how to care for a plant. Instead of throwing away beet tops, save them to grow edible beet greens. A beet top suspended in a glass of water will produce shoots and glossy green, veiny leaves that you can cook like collard greens.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Glass
• Four toothpicks

Instructions

1. Fill a glass with water.

2. Cut off the top 1/3 off a beet root.

3. Push four toothpicks around the beet’s circumference. Place the beet in the glass of water with the cut side down and touching the water. The toothpicks will suspend the beet so it isn’t fully submerged.

4. Place the glass with the beet on a sunny windowsill. It will eventually grow shoots and leaves.

References

• Carrot Museum: Fun With Roots
• University of New Hampshire; Houseplants from the Kitchen; Charles Williams; March 2010