How to Store Vegetables and Fruits So They Last Longer
October 30, 2026 · 5 min read
A lot of produce is wasted at home because it’s stored the wrong way. A few habits keep it fresher, tastier and cheaper.
Keep in the fridge
- Leafy greens and herbs: dry them, wrap in a cloth or paper towel, and store in a box or bag.
- Coriander and mint: stems in a glass of water, loosely covered, or wrapped in paper.
- Beans, peas, capsicum, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage.
- Cut fruit and vegetables, in a covered container.
Keep out of the fridge
- Onions, garlic and potatoes: cool, dark, dry place, stored apart from each other.
- Tomatoes until ripe (cold dulls flavour).
- Bananas, unripe mangoes, papaya and avocados until ripe.
Keep apart
Ripening fruit such as bananas, apples and mangoes gives off ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening and spoilage in nearby produce. Store them away from greens.
Simple habits
- Don’t wash produce before storing; wash just before use.
- Remove rubber bands and plastic that trap moisture.
- Check the crisper drawer every two or three days and use the oldest first.
- Buy greens in smaller amounts, more often.
FAQ
How long does coriander last in the fridge?
Stored dry in a box or with stems in water, often one to two weeks.
Should I store onions and potatoes together?
No. Onions make potatoes sprout faster. Keep them in separate, ventilated baskets.
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