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Want some free houseplants? There are dozens waiting for you right now in your own kitchen. Rummage through the fruit bowl and vegetable bin, and what do you find? Fruits with seeds inside, of course! Any seed that comes through your kitchen can be sprouted in a pot. Some roots will grow shoots and become houseplants as well. While most are adapted to growing in the full sun outdoors, many will grow into plants that will grow well indoors. Here are some to try:

CITRUS
Seeds from oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit sprout quickly and are simple to care for. The seeds must be kept moist, as they will die if they dry out. If you don't have a pot of moist soil ready when you cut open the fruit, wrap the seeds temporarily in a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag. Don't store too long or the paper will mold. Plant the seeds about one half-inch deep in rich potting soil. Citrus plants like their soil moist, but not soggy, so water at least once a week. They also like lots of sun, so place in a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. The plants will become small shrubs with dark green, shiny leaves. They might even flower after a few yea

GRAPES
Cut open a seeded grape, remove the seeds, and wash them. Put soil in a pot, leaving two inches of space at the top. Plant your seeds in the soil, one-quarter to one-half inch deep. When the plants have groht do in the fall, trim the plant down to twelve inches and let it hibernate in a dark place for two months.

KIWI
The tiny black seeds inside of a kiwi fruit will sprout into tall vines, but they do take some effort. Use a toothpick to gently remove the tiny seeds and place them on a paper towel. Let the seeds dry, then plant in moist soil. They generally take several weeks to germinate. Sometimes the seeds need chilled to germinate, so if there are no sprouts after two weeks, put the pots loosely in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator for two or three weeks. The seedlings will be small and fuzzy, but will grow into tall vines that will need support.

PINEAPPLE
Start with a pineapple that has a healthy, green top. Cut about an inch off of the top of the fruit, then trip the flesh away from the stalk that holds the leaves together. Strip off some of the lower leaves so that you have about an inch or two of the base of the crown exposed. Let the crown dry for two or three days. The crown can be planted in potting soil, or it may be rooted first in water. Change the water every few days to prevent the crown from rotting.

AVOCADO
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