Most people don’t grow garlic (Allium sativum) indoors because it doesn’t do well with artificial light. However, it’s not too hard to do if you have a window that gets a lot of light. Youll have the most success growing garlic greens or scapes indoors versus full garlic bulbs. Cloves require chilling for several weeks for them to develop into full bulbs. It also grows slowly; it takes at least six months for planted cloves to turn into full bulbs.
Garlic and other onion family members are toxic to dogs and cats. Toxicity is more pronounced in bulbs, although leaves are also toxic to pets. Do not grow it indoors if your pets nibble on your houseplants.
Garlic is a must-have ingredient in cuisines across the globe. Its pungent flavor adds immense depth and aroma to countless savory dishes. Typically grown outdoors garlic can also be cultivated indoors with the right techniques.
Growing garlic inside has many advantages for urban gardeners with limited space, It allows you to enjoy fresh garlic greens and bulbs year-round!
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about growing garlic indoors successfully. From ideal conditions and planting methods to care, troubleshooting, and harvesting, this article details the key steps for getting great results with indoor garlic.
First, let’s briefly go over some basics about growing this beloved allium inside:
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Garlic can be grown indoors in containers or pots with drainage holes.
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It needs lots of bright light from a sunny window or grow lights.
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Cooler temperatures around 60-75°F are ideal.
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Both softneck and hardneck garlic varieties can work, but softnecks fare better.
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Plant cloves in fall for full bulbs, or anytime for greens.
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With proper care, you can harvest garlic greens in 1-2 months and bulbs in 8-9 months.
With the right conditions and preparation, your indoor garlic garden will thrive!
Choosing the Best Container for Indoor Garlic
An adequately sized container with drainage holes is a must for growing garlic inside. Here are ideal indoor garlic vessel options:
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Terra cotta or plastic pots 6-8 inches deep
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Upcycled containers like milk jugs or paint buckets (drill drainage holes)
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Raised garden beds, minimum 12 inches deep
Make sure to use a quality potting mix, not garden soil. Amend it with compost for nutrition. The container should have vertical space for root development and bulb enlargement.
When to Plant Garlic Indoors
When you plant garlic indoors depends on whether you want to grow it for:
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Greens – Plant individual cloves anytime. Harvest green shoots and leaves as they grow.
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Bulbs – Plant cloves in fall, around 4-6 weeks before your first frost date. This replicates garlic’s natural overwintering process and vernalization period needed for good bulbs.
How to Plant Garlic Cloves Indoors
Follow these simple steps for success planting indoor garlic:
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Break bulbs into individual cloves. Inspect and discard any damaged ones.
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Chill cloves in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before planting if growing for bulbs.
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Fill container with quality potting mix. Enrich with compost.
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Plant cloves 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart with pointy ends up.
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Water well after planting.
Proper spacing allows for ample bulb swelling. Now it’s time to focus on caring for your garlic as it grows!
Caring for Indoor Garlic Plants
Indoor garlic needs more attentive care than outdoor plants. Follow these tips:
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Sunlight – Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun or use grow lights.
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Temperature – Ideal range is 60-75°F. Cooler is better.
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Water – Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when top inch is dry.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks if growing for bulbs.
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Air circulation – Use a fan to prevent mold and mildew.
Meeting garlic’s growth requirements will lead to happy, healthy plants and great harvests!
Troubleshooting Common Indoor Garlic Problems
Growing garlic inside comes with some potential issues. Watch for these concerns:
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Leggy growth – Insufficient sunlight. Needs a sunnier spot or grow lights.
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Yellowing leaves – Overwatering or poor drainage. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Wilting – Underwatering. Increase watering frequency.
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Root rot – Excess moisture. Plant in container with drainage holes and reduce watering.
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Pests – Aphids, thrips. Wash off with water spray or use insecticidal soap.
Catching problems early allows you to adjust conditions and get your indoor garlic back on track.
Harvesting Indoor Garlic
One of the greatest rewards of growing garlic inside is enjoying the fruits of your labor at harvest time. Here’s when and how to harvest:
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Snip garlic greens as needed, leaving an inch attached. They regrow for multiple harvests.
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For bulbs, harvest when 1/3 of leaves turn brown, around 8-9 months after fall planting.
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Loosen soil with a fork and pull bulbs. Avoid damaging them.
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Dry bulbs out of soil in a warm, dry spot for 2-3 weeks.
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Store cured bulbs in a cool, dry place for up to 5-6 months.
With the right care after harvest, you’ll be enjoying your homegrown indoor garlic for months to come!
Best Garlic Varieties for Indoors
When selecting garlic for indoor growing, choose varieties tailored to containers:
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Softneck garlic – Easier to grow indoors than hardneck types. ‘California Early’ and ‘California Late’ are good options.
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Elephant garlic – Very large but milder bulbs on huge plants. Interesting for its size.
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Mini garlic cultivars – Smaller bulbed varieties bred for container growing, like ‘Minimbulb’.
Stick to compact, container-friendly cultivars for the best results on your indoor garlic endeavor.
Storing Indoor Garlic Successfully
Proper storage keeps your indoor-grown garlic fresh for months. Follow these storage tips:
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Allow freshly harvested bulbs to cure in a dry spot out of sunlight for 2-3 weeks.
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Cut off roots and stems to about 1 inch long after curing.
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Place bulbs in a cool (55-65°F), dark place with low humidity.
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Store in mesh bags, braids, or open crates for air circulation. Avoid sealed containers.
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Check bulbs occasionally and remove any that are getting soft or shriveled.
With the right conditions, homegrown garlic can last up to 8 months in storage!
While it takes some effort, growing garlic indoors is an extremely rewarding endeavor. With the proper planting methods, attentive care, and troubleshooting, you can enjoy an abundance of homegrown garlic – no outdoor garden required!
Some key takeaways to ensure indoor garlic success:
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Provide bright, direct sunlight from a sunny window or grow lights
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Use container with drainage holes and quality potting mix
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For bulbs, plant cloves in fall after chilling them first
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Maintain consistent moisture and cool temps around 60-75°F
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Harvest greens as needed, bulbs when lower leaves brown
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Cure bulbs fully before proper storage in a cool, low-humidity area
Follow this guidance and you’ll be rewarded with delicious garlic straight from your own indoor garden. Get growing!
Container and Size
For growing garlic, a simple clay pot that is at least 6 inches deep and has a drainage hole in the bottom works well. Other containers can also be used. The width of the container depends on how many cloves you plant.
If growing bulbs, plant them at least 6 inches apart. If only growing greens, you can plant the cloves next to each other in a single pot. Ensure the container has drainage holes, and if it doesnt, make holes.
If the ceramic container you want to use doesn’t already have holes for drainage, you will need to use a special ceramic bit to make them. Use a hammer and nail to make drainage holes in a metal can, like an old coffee can. Use a regular drill to bore holes in a plastic planting container.
Potting Soil and Drainage
Garlic bulbs like well-draining soil and may rot if left soaking in soggy soil. For this reason, container drainage holes are a must. Fill the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot with a paper towel, coffee filter, or a piece of plastic window screen. This will keep the potting mix substrate from leaking out.
As for the best potting soil to use with indoor garlic, it thrives in loamy, sandy soils. Garden soil or topsoil in a bag should not be used because it will not drain well in a container. Plant garlic in peat, perlite, vermiculite, coconut fiber, potting mix, or compost.
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How To Grow Garlic Indoors Anytime Anywhere
FAQ
Can you grow garlic inside your house?
How long does garlic take to grow inside?
Can you plant garlic cloves from the grocery store?
Does garlic grow better in water or soil?
How to grow garlic indoors?
Choose containers that are deep enough and wide enough to fit all of the cloves you want to plant. Whether you choose to use a flower pot, a wooden crate, or any other type of container to grow your garlic indoors, it needs to be deep enough to allow the roots of the garlic to grow.
How do you grow garlic in a pot?
If you want to grow multiple garlic cloves in a single pot, space each clove at least 6 inches apart. Pour in more soil. After planting the garlic, fill the pot with more potting mix so each garlic clove is covered with about 1/2 inch of soil. Gently firm the potting mix around the garlic and water the cloves.
Can you grow garlic in an apartment?
Garlic is perfectly suitable for apartments or homes, provided you have a sunny location with at least six hours of sunlight to grow it. A south- or west-facing window would likely work best. If growing garlic for their shoots, plant the cloves close together.
When is the best time to plant garlic indoors?
The best time to plant garlic indoors depends on whether you want to grow greens or bulbs. If you’re content growing only garlic greens, you can plant garlic cloves indoors anytime. However, if you want to grow plump and delicious garlic bulbs, aim to plant the garlic cloves in early autumn.