In the realm of health-friendly plants that can be grown at home, garlic stands out as a true superstar. Alongside green onions, garlic boasts incredible health benefits that make it a must-have addition to your indoor garden. Despite its distinct taste and odor, consuming a whole garlic bulb daily can work miracles for your overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the art of growing garlic indoors, providing you with step-by-step instructions, tips, and insights to help you cultivate an endless supply of this remarkable plant.

How to Grow an Endless Supply of Garlic Indoors

To embark on your garlic-growing journey, you’ll need the following:

• Several garlic bulbs (or heads)
• Organic potting soil
• 1 planting pot

A Word of Warning

Before you begin, it’s important to note that a significant portion of the garlic available in grocery stores is treated with a hormone that prevents clove sprouting. To achieve the best results, opt for organic garlic or wait until you observe natural sprouting in the garlic bulbs.

Instructions

1. Select high-quality garlic heads.
2. Fill a large planting pot with potting soil.
3. Separate the garlic cloves and plant each one vertically at a depth of approximately 1 inch.
4. Cover the cloves with an additional inch of soil.
5. Place the pot in a well-lit area where it receives ample sunlight.
6. Regularly water the pot to keep the soil from drying out, similar to caring for other indoor plants.
7. Once the garlic greens reach a height of 3-4 inches, trim them, leaving about an inch for regrowth.

Pay attention to this crucial detail:

At a certain point, the growth of the garlic greens will come to a halt. As the greens dry up and turn brown, carefully extract the cloves. Each clove should have matured into a full bulb. Take one of these cloves and begin the growing process anew.

When to Plant Garlic

For optimal results, plant garlic cloves in well-drained beds during the fall season after the initial frost has passed and the soil has cooled. While cloves can also be planted in late winter once the soil thaws, fall-planted garlic tends to yield larger and better-quality bulbs.

Garlic thrives in moist conditions, but prolonged wetness can lead to yellowing leaves. Keep in mind that garlic is particularly fond of colder weather. If you’re in zones 9-11, you might consider experimenting with other varieties via mail order. Alternatively, you can try growing elephant garlic, which tends to perform exceptionally well in warmer climates using the same planting instructions.

Exploring Different Garlic Varieties

Garlic comes in various types, each offering unique characteristics and flavors. Here’s a glimpse of some popular garlic types to consider cultivating:

Soft Neck Types

Ideal for regions with mild winters, soft neck garlic varieties excel in climates where cold temperatures are tolerable, with some strains even surviving cold down to Zone 5. While most soft neck varieties don’t produce edible curled flower stalks (scapes), they’re well-suited for braiding. Notable subtypes include Creole, artichoke, and various Asian variations.

Hardneck Types

Adapted to colder winter climates, hardneck garlic varieties are known for producing delectable curled scapes in early summer. This garlic type thrives in cold weather conditions and offers a range of subtypes, including porcelain, purple stripe, and rocambole varieties.

Elephant Garlic

Sharing kinship with leeks, elephant garlic produces large, mild-flavored bulbs composed of 4 to 6 substantial cloves. This variety can withstand winter down to Zone 5 when provided with ample winter mulch.