Quick-Growing Plants in your Classroom

Help! What are some quick-growing plants in your classroom?

I get this question a lot and I can see why. Sometimes we need something to grow quickly so that we can have immediate results. You will not find avocado on this list, that’s for sure! Here are a few seeds that you can plant and get fairly quick results.

Quick-Growing Plants for Your Classroom

1. Green Onions

Did you know that you can put your green onion roots in water and they will continue to grow? I love doing a kitchen scrap lesson with students because it opens their eyes to how easy growing plants can be. I love Wiki-How’s tutorial on how to grow onions in water.

2. Celery

This is another kitchen scrap growing experiment you can try with your student. Save the bottom third of your celery and place in a cup of shallow water. The celery will regrow in a few days beginning in the center. Students will be amazed with this regrowth experiment.

3. Beans

This is a classic seed that is easy to grow and can be easy on the teachers’ wallet. You can place it in a wet paper towel and leave it in a baggie for a few days and watch the roots germinate.

4. Chia Seeds

A favorite since I’ve been a child, chia seed germination is something I started for the first time in my classroom just this year. I ordered the llama Chia Pet product and we’ve been trying to sprout chia seeds. This seed will require regular moisture with water bottle spritzes on the regular.

5. Lettuce

An interesting tidbit of information is that lettuce is a cut-and-grow plant and makes it excellent for classroom learning. Growing lettuce, cutting it, and then repeating it over the course of the year can show how easy sustainable gardening can be – even for students!

6. Spinach

This is another option that is similar to lettuce.

7. Arugula

Growing arugula alongside lettuce can allow you to have a student taste test then compare and contrast flavor, crispness, and other features in a t-chart. Expanding students’ tastebuds can be done in class. (As always, follow all safety protocols for your district.)

8. Microgreens

Growing microgreens can be an excellent introduction to small-scale greenhouse gardening. Seeds need to stay in a moist environment and be tended to daily.

9. Marigolds

Marigolds are flowers that come in a mix of colours and have a distinct scent. They can be grown in small containers so make excellent classroom plants. Also, they do not require much maintenance.

10. Lucky bamboo

This is an excellent plant to showcase in your classroom because it doesn’t need soil. Kids are often surprised when they see a plant not growing in soil. This is a plant that will provoke insightful inquiry questions.

11. Friendship Plant

I added this one to the list because it is one of my favourites. It grows tiny plants called pups which can be removed, propagated in water and shared with a friend.

12. Spider Plant

These plants are excellent as air purifiers.

What do you grow?

Whether you are growing plants for a science experiment, math project, or just for fun, I am sure you will find that the plants on this list will be quick-growing in your classroom. Just remember to do your research for watering, sunlight, and any other safety consideration you think is important for your particular classroom.