Most gardeners and commercial growers propagate garlic by planting individual cloves separated from a mature garlic bulb. Each clove grows into a new bulb, genetically identical to the parent plant. This method is reliable, fast (one season from planting to harvest), and produces uniform crops2346.
Hardneck garlic varieties produce flower stalks (scapes) that, if left unharvested, develop clusters of tiny garlic bulbils at the top. Each bulbil is a miniature clove and can be planted to grow new garlic plants. Bulbils are also clones of the parent plant, but they take longer (2–3 years) to reach full bulb size compared to planting cloves12.
True garlic seed is produced through sexual reproduction, resulting in tiny black seeds similar to onion seeds. Producing true garlic seed is rare and challenging, as most garlic varieties have lost the ability to set seed due to centuries of clonal propagation. Plant breeders have developed techniques to encourage seed production, such as removing bulbils from scapes and manually pollinating flowers, but germination rates are low and growing garlic from true seed is generally limited to breeders and researchers23.
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: Growing from true seed allows for new genetic combinations, which can result in improved disease resistance, storage qualities, or adaptation to local conditions2.
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: Bulbils can produce hundreds of planting units from a single plant, making it a very economical propagation method1.
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: Bulbils and true seeds are less likely to carry soil-borne diseases than cloves, which can accumulate pathogens over years of clonal propagation.
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: True seed is essential for plant breeding and the development of new garlic cultivars.
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: In spring, allow some garlic plants (preferably hardneck varieties) to develop scapes and mature fully.
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: By late summer or early fall, the scapes will form heads filled with bulbils. When the heads dry and the plant begins to die back, cut the scape and collect the bulbils1.
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: Break apart the bulbil clusters and spread them out in a well-ventilated, dry location for a few days.
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: Keep dried bulbils in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight until planting time in the fall1.
1.
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Plant bulbils in the fall, at the same time you would plant garlic cloves (usually 4–6 weeks before the ground freezes)146.
2.
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Choose a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter36.
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Avoid areas where garlic or other alliums have recently grown to minimize disease risk.
3.
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Bulbils are much smaller than cloves, so plant them shallower—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
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Space bulbils 1–2 inches apart in rows or a grid pattern, keeping rows about 6 inches apart15.
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Mark the planting area clearly, as bulbils take longer to mature and should not be disturbed during regular garlic harvests.
4.
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Cover the bed with a layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or grass clippings) to protect the young plants over winter56.
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Water lightly after planting if the soil is dry; natural winter precipitation is usually sufficient until spring.
5.
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In the first growing season, bulbils will produce small, grass-like shoots and tiny single-clove bulbs (called “rounds”).
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Leave these in the ground or dig them up and replant in the fall for the next stage of growth.
6.
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In the second year, rounds will grow into larger plants and may produce multi-clove bulbs, but they may still be smaller than standard garlic.
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By the third year, most plants will produce full-sized bulbs ready for harvest1.
7.
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Harvest garlic when the lower leaves begin to yellow and dry, usually in mid to late summer.
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Cure bulbs in a well-ventilated, shaded area for several weeks before storing.
1.
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True garlic seed is extremely rare and usually only available from specialized breeders or research programs2.
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If you have access to true garlic seed, follow the instructions below.
2.
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Sow garlic seed in late winter or early spring, similar to onion seeds3.
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Use seed trays or small pots filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix.
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Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep moist but not soggy.
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Provide bright light and maintain temperatures around 60–70°F (15–21°C).
3.
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When seedlings are large enough to handle and all danger of frost has passed, transplant them into the garden, spacing 4–6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
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Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
4.
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Garlic grown from true seed will take several years to reach full bulb size, similar to growing from bulbils.
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In the first year, plants may only produce small rounds; dig and replant these for larger bulbs in subsequent years.
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: Growing garlic from bulbils or true seed is a multi-year process, unlike the single season needed for cloves123.
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: Plants grown from true seed will not be identical to the parent, leading to variability in size, flavor, and disease resistance.
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: True garlic seed often has low viability and may require special care to germinate2.
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: The effort pays off in increased genetic diversity, disease resistance, and the satisfaction of breeding your own garlic.
: Why bother growing garlic from seed or bulbils when cloves are easier?
A: Growing from seed or bulbils increases genetic diversity, reduces disease risk, and is more cost-effective for large plantings12.
: How long does it take to grow garlic from bulbils?
A: Depending on bulbil size, it can take 2–3 years to reach full bulb size1.
: Can I plant bulbils and cloves together?
A: Yes, but keep them separate so you don’t accidentally harvest the immature bulbil plants too early1.
: Is garlic seed the same as bulbils?
A: No. Bulbils are clones of the parent plant formed in the scape, while true garlic seed is produced through sexual reproduction and is much rarer23.
Conclusion
Growing garlic from seed or bulbils is a long-term project that rewards patient gardeners with healthy, vigorous plants and the possibility of new varieties. While most garlic is grown from cloves for speed and uniformity, experimenting with bulbils or true seed can reduce costs, expand genetic diversity, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of plant breeding. With proper care, timing, and patience, you can enjoy a thriving garlic patch grown from the tiniest of beginnings.
:
1 Practical Self Reliance
2 Cornell Cooperative Extension
3 Gardening Know How
4 Urban Farmer
5 Heartwood Holler
6 Royal Horticultural Society
- https://practicalselfreliance.com/growing-garlic-from-seed/
- https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/43278/Dear_Aggie_Garlic_from_Seed_032820.pdf?1585137525
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/garlic/how-to-grow-garlic-from-seed.htm
- https://www.ufseeds.com/garlic-seed-to-harvest.html
- https://heartwoodholler.com/how-to-grow-garlic-from-seed/
- https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/garlic/grow-your-own
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYqahodYpvM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlA3Fbp1GuI
- https://rootsandrefuge.com/how-to-plant-garlic/
- https://www.theseasonalhomestead.com/how-to-plant-garlic/
