[Objectives]  To identify new food plants that can improve the reproductive capacity of captive-raised Tenebrio molitor, reduce the energy consumption and cost of breeding this species in captivity, and increase production and profits. [Methods]  Six vegetable species, Raphanus sativus, Solanum tuberosum, Brassica chinensis, Daucus carota, Ipomoea aquatica, and Cucumis sativus, were assessed as alternative foods for T. molitor. [Results]  The longevity, reproduction, and life table parameters of T. molitor adults raised on these different plants was quantified and compared. Although adults fed on D. carota and C. sativus had the greatest longevity and longest oviposition period, their intrinsic (r_m) and finite rate of increase (l) were the lowest, and the doubling time of the population (t) was significantly longer than that of adults fed on other food plants. The total fecundity of adults fed on R. sativus, S. tuberosum, B. chinensis, and D. carota was significantly higher than that of those fed on other food plants, however, the daily fecundity of adults fed on D. carota was significantly lower than that of those fed on the other food plants. There were no significant differences in the mean generation time (T), r_m, t, and l of adults fed on R. sativus, S. tuberosum, B. chinensis, and I. aquatica; however, the net reproductive rate (R₀) and fecundity of those fed on I. aquatica was significantly lower than those fed on the other food plants and the proportion of male offspring was the highest among all six treatments. [Conclusion]  Feeding T. molitor on R. sativus, S. tuberosum, and B. chinensis can improve the reproductive capacity and population growth rate of this insect.