Guest Author - Sue Walsh

Things most of us throw away, such as avocado pits, seeds from citrus fruits, and carrot tops can all be turned into fun and beautiful houseplants. Here's how!

The next time you find yourself with kitchen scraps such as avocado pits, and carrot and pineapple tops, don't toss them in the garbage or on the compost heap, turn them into beautiful houseplants instead!.This is easy and fun to do and is a great project for kids!

Carrots- Take a carrot top and place it in a pot of moist sand or potting mix. Keep it well watered and in bright sunlight and you'll soon be rewarded with beautiful feathery, fern like foliage.

Avocados- This has been a classic science project for generations. To try it, wash an avocado pit and set it aside to dry for a few days. Peel off as much of the thick outer skin as possible. Insert toothpicks and suspend over a large glass of water, making sure the broad end is covered by approximately a quarter inch of water.

In 3-8 weeks the pit will split open and a plant will emerge. Once the plant has developed a few strong roots, plant in a pot of well draining potting mix, making sure the top third of the pit is left exposed. Place in a sunny window and enjoy. Be sure to keep it well watered and out of drafts. If your avocado tree is happy, it can reach heights of up to 6 feet!

Pineapples- Like carrots, you can grow a striking plant from a pineapple top. Make sure it has about an inch of fruit left on it. Trim away the solid portion, being careful not to injure the stringy core. Remove a couple lower rows of leaves. Allow this to air dry for a couple days, to guard against possible decay when you plant it.

To grow, suspend the core over a container of water like you would with an avocado. Keep in a warm well lit spot. After roots have developed plant in a clay pot using a well draining potting soil. During the summer months keep the soil moist at all times and make sure the cup at the base of the leaves is always filled with water.

Sweet Potatoes-This one requires the entire potato, but it's worth it. Suspend a sweet potato over a glass of water using toothpicks. Make sure the narrow end is touching the water. Keep in a warm sunny spot and in about 10 days it will begin to sprout. Cut off all but three or four shoots and plant in a pot with well draining soil. Soon you'll have a beautiful vine that resembles a philodendron. It can be trained around a window frame or small trellis. This can also be done with regular potatoes.

Give it a try and grow your own gorgeous plants from scraps, and join our Discussion to tell us what you think!