How to Grow Carrots in Water

Grow an interesting carrot plant with your cut carrot tops.

The carrot you eat is actually a long taproot. If you have carrots and you would like to try the age-old experiment of growing them in water, know that it's quite easy. However, it won't produce new edible taproots. Rather, you will grow an interesting looking carrot plant, and if you grow them in a decorative dish, it can act as a centerpiece for your dining room table or another area of your home.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Container
• Marbles or rocks (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut a carrot top off, leaving about 1 inch of the taproot. You can grow multiple carrots at one time, if desired.

2. Fill a small tray with about 1/2 inch of water. Place the carrot tops in the tray. Set multiple carrots next to each other, about one inch apart. Alternatively, place marbles or decorative rocks in a shallow container. Fill the container with just enough water so the marbles or decorative rocks are covered. Set the carrot tops on the marbles or rocks.

3. Place the carrots in indirect light. It should be a bright area, but don't expose the carrots to direct sunlight. In a few days, fleshy roots will start to form and eventually green growth will appear from the top.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to use your carrot plant as a table centerpiece, choose a container that is the same shape as your table.

References

• Gardenin Know How: Grow Carrots From Carrots; Jackie Rhoades
• World Carrot Museum: Fun With Roots
• California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom: Fresh Carrots