- Home
- Gardening, lawn and landscape
- Garden vegetables and herbs
- English
- Español
Q:
There is conflicting information all over the internet about regrowing carrots from tops. I know you can grow the greens, however, can you grow the actual root vegetable again? And if not, what is the scientific reason why not?
A:
Yes, you are correct that you can cut off the top of the carrot and regrow the leaves only. Once the taproot (carrot) is removed it cannot grow another.
When cut from the top, the growing point for the taproot is removed, however the growing tip for new leaves is not removed. The growing tip (meristem) that forms the leaves can also grow new adventitious roots (fibrous roots), but not a taproot.
You would need to allow the top to flower, go to seed, then plant the seeds in order to get another carrot with a taproot.
See photos on this science snacks page about how the vegetables can start growing again.
Related content
Vegetable Gardening in Oregon
Provides an introduction to vegetable gardening in Oregon. Discusses site selection and preparation, planting, and basic garden care. Includes production pointers and recommended varieties for many common garden vegetables. A sample garden layout is included.
James R. Baggett, Deborah Kean, Dan M. Sullivan, Alexandra Stone, James Myers |Mar 2023 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension:Garden vegetables and herbs
Was this page helpful?
Related Content from OSU Extension
Credit: Susan Cabral (Cropped from original) Bread dough is a nontoxic, generic and effective tool that could be used in the detection and management of gastropods worldwide. Kym Pokorny |Aug 18, 2021 |News storySlugs and snails, destructors of crops and gardens, could be controlled by bread dough
Credit: Stephen Ward (Cropped from original) Resources for gardeners in Lincoln County, as prepared by the Lincoln County Master Gardeners. Stormi Dykes, Cathi Block |Jan 2024 |ArticleLincoln County Gardeners Resource Guide
This publication is a primer on vegetable gardening written specifically for educators, including those who use gardens as part of a nutrition education curriculum. It outlines a full-circle approach to educational ... Weston Miller, Beret Halverson, Gail Langellotto |Sep 2011 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)An Educator's Guide to Vegetable Gardening
Photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration are the three major functions that drive plant growth and development. Ann Marie VanDerZanden |Jan 2008 |ArticlePlant growth and development
Credit: Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original) I have sweet corn, and the tassels are out, and I see silk down below. So, do I really need to pollinate sweet corn by hand, or should it just be "given its privacy"? Chip Bubl |Jul 2015 |Featured questionDoes sweet corn reproduction need a helping hand?
Credit: Pixel-Shot - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original) Are these statements true, or are they myths: Male peppers have 3 bumps and female peppers have 4 bumps and female peppers are full of seeds but are sweeter and better for eating raw, while males are better for cooking? Pat Patterson |Jun 2015 |Featured questionAre there male and female peppers?
Photo Credit: Dylan - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original) We live in a rural setting, with deer coming through twice a day. Can you recommend a good physical structure/repellant plant combination to be able to grow a garden? Donald Lauer |Feb 2014 |Featured questionHow to stop the deer from grazing on my garden?
Gives fertilizer recommendations, based on soil test results, for vegetable gardens, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, caneberries, and strawberries. Discusses factors involved in plant growth, such as soil, ... John M. Hart, Ray A. McNeilan |Apr 2000 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)Fertilizing Your Garden: Vegetables, Fruits, and Ornamentals
Credit: Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original) Herbs include some of the easiest plants to grow. In addition to culinary uses, herbs offer fragrance, oils that deter pests and flowers that support pollinators. Here's a look at how to grow five popular varieties. Nicole Sanchez |Jun 2020 |ArticleHerbs are easy to grow and have many uses
Credit: Heather Stoven (Cropped from original) Ninety-percent of survey respondents believed the course made a positive impact on their choice of dietary lifestyle and health overall. Heather Stoven |Apr 2024 |Impact storyGarden to Table reaches traditionally underserved Yamhill County residents
Credit: Amanda Woodlee (Cropped from original) Growing their own vegetables and fruits is one-way people can combat food insecurity. Amanda Woodlee, Cindy Brown |Apr 2024 |Impact storyOSU Extension Seed to Supper offers resources for growing food on a budget
Photo: Queena (Cropped from original) What is the best way to harvest and store rutabaga? Is it better to leave them until after the first light (like around 25-32°F) frost? Pat Patterson |Sep 2014 |Featured questionRutabagas harvest and storage suggestions?
Credit John Brunoe (Cropped from original) In 2020, 110 raised garden beds were built and delivered to youth and their families. John Brunoe |May 2021 |Impact storyGardens address pandemic food insecurity in Warm Springs community
Credit: Diana Reyes (Cropped from original) Learn the five steps you can take to keep produce safe for consumption during a smoke event due to wildfire. Glenda Hyde, Diana Rohlman, Julia Van Soelen Kim |Sep 2023 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)5 Steps to Healthy Produce During Wildfire Smoke
Hi! We planted potatoes last summer and then didn’t end up digging them up. We dug them up today (early April). Can we eat them? Can we use them to start new potatoes? Anna Ashby |Apr 2020 |Featured questionAre last year's potatoes still edible?
Photo: Fructibus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (Cropped from original) Blossom-end rot appears as a large, gray to black spot at the blossom end of the tomato fruit, the end opposite the stem. This publication discusses the causes of blossom-end rot and suggests methods of prevention. Iain C. MacSwan |Mar 2024 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)Blossom-end Rot of Tomatoes
Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original) Individuals and households, schools and groups can sign up to receive an individual/household seed kit, group kit or seed-starting teacher classroom kit through the mail. Chris Branam |Jan 26, 2024 |News storyOSU Extension statewide seed giveaway returns for fifth year
Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original) Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series for 2024 launched on Feb. 13. The first webinar was attended by more than 360 people and the recording has been viewed more than 100 times as of Feb. 28. Chris Branam |Feb 28, 2024 |News storyFree Level Up series offered by OSU Extension Master Gardeners focuses on growing food
Have a question? Ask Extension!
Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.
Ask us a question
