- 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 |Jun 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: 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
Credit: Amanda Loman (Cropped from original) Photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration are the three major functions that drive plant growth and development. Ann Marie VanDerZanden |Jul 2024 |ArticlePeer reviewed (Gray level)Plant growth and development
Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original) Weeds are the hardest part of vegetable gardening, with bugs a close second. Kym Pokorny |Jul 25, 2024 |News storyUse vigilance in controlling problems in the vegetable patch
More than 17,600 people – atagrowingclip of about 1,000more each day–are signingup for a vegetable gardening course offered by the Oregon State University Extension Service, as people nationally abide bystay-at-homepandemicorders. Chris Branam |Apr 1, 2020 |News storyEnrollment skyrockets for OSU Master Gardener vegetable course
Credit: Stephen Ward (Cropped from original) OSU breeder recommends Green Globe, Imperial Star and Emerald artichoke varieties. Kym Pokorny |May 15, 2020 |News storyOrnamental or edible, artichokes have a place in the garden
Credit: Alyson Yates (Cropped from original) Growing microgreens is fun, easy and a great activity to get kids involved in gardening. Kym Pokorny |Jul 17, 2020 |News storyGet big flavor from tiny microgreens
Photo: Tom Gentle (Cropped from original) I maintain a fairly productive compost pile that I use to replenish my raised beds each year. This year, I have a large number of plants (mainly squash and tomatoes) that have come up in beds where this compost was ... Linda Brewer |Feb 2024 |Featured questionCan I eat volunteer vegetables from my compost?
Photo Credit: svetlanafoto - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original) I am growing a pumpkin plant that is a volunteer from my daughter, who grew delicious pumpkin-pie pumpkins last year. I have recently read that some volunteer plants in the squash family might produce poisonous fruit ... Debra Lauer |Aug 2020 |Featured questionAre volunteer squash toxic?
Credit: Chris Branam (Cropped from original) Wildfires can be unsafe when it lands on unharvested produce. Kym Pokorny |Sep 10, 2020 |News storyTake precautions when wildfire ash falls on fruits and vegetables
Credit: Kym Pokorny (Cropped from original) Keep hydrated. Carry a water bottle – and use it! You need water as much as your plants do. Kym Pokorny |Jun 25, 2021 |News storyTips for gardening in extreme heat
Stinging nettle is a delicious and nutritious food. It’s also a plant that can sting and cause welts. With these tips, you can learn how to safely gather, prepare and preserve this wild edible. Danita Macy, Glenda Hyde, Jennie Brixey, Olivia Davis |Nov 2022 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)Wild Edibles: Stinging Nettle
Credit: Ann Marie Murphy (Cropped from original) Learn how to have a successful vegetable garden in Central Oregon, where temperatures, low precipitation and infertile soil pose a challenge. Amy Jo Detweiler |Nov 2019 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties)
Credit: Lynn Ketchum (Cropped from original) I have a plot in a community garden in Portland, on a hill. Last year my corn didn't fully mature. I'd like to try planting the 3 sisters this year; corn, beans, and gourds. I would like planting advice. Anne Schmidt |Jun 2024 |Featured questionTips for planting corn, beans and squash?
This intro to gardening in Oregon covers all the bases: site selection, soil improvement, raised beds, planting, watering, pests, plant diseases and weeds. Regional tips cover every area of Oregon. Now available in English and Spanish in one publication! Gail Langellotto |Jun 2023 |Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)Growing Your Own
Credit: Rachel Beck (Cropped from original) Get those bean seeds in the ground. Jun 2, 2006 |News storyIt is time to get those green beans in the ground
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 Credit: svetlanafoto - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original) Should I pick my pumpkins or leave them on the vine? They are fully orange and the vines are dying. Is it better to pick them and store them or just leave them until October? Weston Miller |Jun 2024 |Featured questionWhen should I harvest my pumpkins?
Photo: Brooke Edmunds (Cropped from original) There are some dwarf and miniature varieties of vegetables, such as Thumbelina carrots or other baby vegetables that work particularly well in small confines. Kym Pokorny |Mar 26, 2021 |News storyNo room for vegetables? Pot up your plants
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
