Over the year, I’ve found that growing garlic indoors isn’t just about food-it’s about grounding. In temples and traditional households, garlic has long been a symbol of protection, healing, and humble strength.
Each clove I’ve planted at home has felt like an offering-rooting intention into soil, one quiet at a time. From watching the first green shoots rise to harvesting my own garlic bulbs, the process has become a personal ritual-simple, scared, and deeply fulfilling.
What Types of Garlic can be Planted
1. Softneck Garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum)
Softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum) is the most common type of garlic found in grocery stores and home gardens. It’s popular for its long shelf life, mild flavor, and ability to grow well in a variety of conditions—especially indoors and in warmer climates.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, softneck garlic is an easy and rewarding choice.
Why Choose Softneck Garlic?
* Easy to Grow Indoors
Softneck garlic adapts well to container gardening. Its compact structure and shallow root system make it ideal for growing in pots on sunny windowsills or under grow lights.
* Long Storage Life
One of the biggest advantages of softneck garlic is how long it keeps. When properly cured and stored, softneck bulbs can last up to 9–12 months, making them a reliable pantry staple.
* More Cloves Per Bulb
Softneck varieties often produce 10–20 cloves per bulb, giving you more planting material and more garlic to use in the kitchen.
* Great for Braiding
Because the neck stays soft and pliable after harvest, you can braid softneck garlic into beautiful, rustic bunches—both decorative and practical.
Popular Varieties of Softneck Garlic
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California Early
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Mild flavor
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Matures quickly
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Great for spring or fall planting
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California Late
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Stronger flavor than California Early
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Excellent storage
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Thrives in mild winters
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Inchelium Red
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Rich, complex flavor
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National taste-test winner
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Decorative and productive
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How to Plant Softneck Garlic
1. Choose Quality Bulbs
Buy seed garlic from a trusted source to ensure it’s free from disease and suitable for growing.
2. Prepare Your Container
Use a pot at least 6–8 inches deep with good drainage. Fill with a loose, fertile potting mix.
3. Plant the Cloves
Break apart the bulb into individual cloves. Plant each clove pointy-end up, 1–2 inches deep and 4 inches apart.
4. Provide Light and Water
Place the pot in a sunny spot (6+ hours of sunlight) or under grow lights. Water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
5. Harvest and Cure
After 8–10 months, when the leaves yellow and die back, gently pull the bulbs. Cure them in a warm, dry place for 2–3 weeks before storage.
2. Hardneck Garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon)
Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) is prized for its bold, complex flavor and culinary versatility.
While it may not store as long as its softneck cousin, it makes up for that with large cloves, cold-hardiness, and the added bonus of edible flower stalks called garlic scapes.
If you’re serious about flavor or live in a cooler climate, hardneck garlic is an excellent choice.
What Makes Hardneck Garlic Special?
1. Incredible Flavor
Hardneck garlic has a more robust, spicy, and nuanced taste compared to softneck types. It’s a favorite among chefs and garlic lovers who value depth in flavor.
2. Cold-Hardy
Hardneck garlic thrives in cooler climates and can withstand harsh winters. In fact, it often needs a cold period (vernalization) of 6–10 weeks below 40°F (4°C) to form bulbs properly.
3. Produces Garlic Scapes
In late spring, hardneck garlic sends up a curly green shoot known as a scape. These are edible and delicious—ideal for pesto, stir-fries, or grilling. Removing scapes also helps the plant focus energy on forming larger bulbs.
4. Easy to Peel
With fewer, larger cloves (usually 4–12 per bulb), hardneck garlic is easier to peel than softneck. Great for home cooks who use garlic often.
Common Hardneck Garlic Varieties
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Rocambole
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Rich, deep flavor
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Easy to peel
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Shorter storage (4–6 months)
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Purple Stripe
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Striking purple-streaked skin
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Excellent for baking
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Good flavor and medium storage
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Porcelain
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Very large cloves (4–6 per bulb)
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Strong, hot flavor
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Best cold tolerance
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How to Plant Hardneck Garlic
1. Buy Seed Garlic
Purchase from a reputable source—don’t use grocery store garlic, which may be treated.
2. Chill the Bulbs (if needed)
If you’re growing indoors or in warm climates, refrigerate bulbs for 6–8 weeks before planting to simulate winter.
3. Plant in Fall (or simulate cold indoors)
Plant cloves in fall for outdoor growing or in well-drained containers for indoor setups. Place pointy side up, 2 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart.
4. Water and Wait
Keep soil moist but not wet. Hardneck garlic takes 8–9 months to mature, with green shoots appearing early.
5. Harvest Scapes and Bulbs
Cut scapes when they curl (usually June). Harvest bulbs when lower leaves turn brown (usually mid-summer). Cure for 2–3 weeks before storing.
🧄 FAQs: How to Plant Garlic Indoors
1. Can I plant grocery store garlic indoors?
Not recommended. Grocery store garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting and may carry disease. For best results, use organic or certified seed garlic from a nursery or garden center.
2. What type of garlic is best for indoor growing?
Softneck garlic is generally better for indoor planting because it grows well in milder conditions and doesn’t require a cold period like hardneck garlic. However, hardneck garlic can still grow indoors if it’s properly chilled before planting.
3. What size container should I use?
Use a pot at least 6–8 inches deep with good drainage. A wider container allows you to space multiple cloves about 4 inches apart.
4. What kind of soil is best?
Use well-draining potting mix, ideally a blend that includes compost and perlite or sand. Garlic doesn’t like soggy soil—drainage is key.
5. How much sunlight does garlic need indoors?
Garlic needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If you don’t have a sunny window, use a full-spectrum grow light for 12–16 hours a day.
6. How often should I water garlic indoors?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Garlic prefers consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions.
7. When will I see results?
Green shoots (garlic greens) usually appear in 1–2 weeks. Bulb development takes 8–10 months. You can harvest the green tops earlier, but full bulbs require patience.
8. Can I grow garlic year-round indoors?
Yes, with proper lighting and temperature control, garlic can be grown indoors all year. Just be sure to provide enough light and avoid extreme temperature changes.
9. Can I eat the green shoots?
Absolutely! Garlic greens (also called garlic tops or scapes, if hardneck) are edible and taste like mild garlic. They’re great in salads, stir-fries, and soups.
10. How do I know when to harvest garlic indoors?
Harvest when the lower leaves turn yellow or brown and begin to dry out. Gently dig up the bulbs and cure them in a dry, ventilated spot for 2–3 weeks before storage.