The Magic of Upcycling: Transform Kitchen Scraps into 5 Beautiful Mini Indoor Gardens

It’s not exactly like tending to ornamental plants, but it has its own unique charm. At the same time, these potted plants make for rather beautiful decorations.

Take a look at the following ornamental plants:

1. Growing a Grapefruit Tree from Seeds

Grapefruits are commonly enjoyed by many, but we rarely think about what to do with the seeds. However, one day, a curious grandchild demanded to plant them, and so a new hobby was born.

I found a pot and buried the seeds, not expecting much. To my surprise, they sprouted and broke through the soil, growing into a lush, green potted tree that lasted quite a while.

As time went on, this little tree became more and more fascinating and beautiful. And so, a series of kitchen “scraps” turned into ornamental plants, finding their way to me.

2. Growing a Young Pine Tree

I believe that when people go for walks outdoors, they often come across various fruits and seeds. On one such walk, I happened to find a pinecone.

If I wasn’t interested in potted plants, I would never have thought to pick up that pinecone and turn it into a small ornamental tree.

It was as simple as finding a cup and planting the pinecone inside. The seed took to its new home and grew, sprouting into a young pine tree with lush, green needles. Take a look at how intricate this little tree is.

3. Growing Miniature Trees from Lychee, Dragon Fruit, and Jackfruit Seeds

My father enjoys drinking tea and has a collection of teapots. Recently, one of his pots developed a crack, and he was going to throw it away. But I took that broken pot and buried two lychee seeds in it.

I eagerly awaited their growth, and soon enough, green sprouts appeared. A year later, the tree still stands, with the addition of a few leaves. This miniature lychee tree is truly fascinating.

Similarly, you can create mini trees from dragon fruit and jackfruit seeds. The young leaves of the dragon fruit tree are a stunning shade of pink, while the jackfruit tree stretches its “neck” high, creating a subtle contrast when placed alongside the other trees.

4. Growing a Potted Plant from a Pineapple Top

The next time you buy a pineapple, don’t throw away the top! It can be easily turned into a potted plant, either in soil or hydroponically.

Peel away the bottom leaves twice, and find a bottle with a suitable opening so that the pineapple top can be stuck directly onto it. If not, you can use toothpicks to secure it.

When adding water, ensure it doesn’t reach the base of the pineapple, as this will cause it to rot.

5. Growing Mint as an Ornamental Plant

While learning about flower gardening, I came across a saying: “If you can’t take care of mint, don’t bother with flowers.” This speaks to how easy mint is to grow.

Simply take a glass bottle, insert a few mint sprigs, and you’ve got yourself an impressive mini potted plant.

It’s a very useful mini plant to have in your kitchen, as it’s great at eliminating odors. From time to time, you can also use the mint to make delicious drinks. Don’t intentionally cut the mint sprigs, though.

If your mint is thriving and has plenty of stems, feel free to cut some off, remove the lower half of the leaves, and place them in a glass of water. Before long, you’ll see roots starting to grow. These mini pots release a gentle fragrance. Whether you’re growing mint in soil or hydroponically, ensure it gets enough sunlight; otherwise, the plant may suffer from root rot, lack of nutrients, and small leaves.