Plant Profile
GarlicAllium sativum
Aromatic bulb vegetable that should not be missing in any garden. Easy to grow and versatile in the kitchen.
Quick profile
Key data
Suitable growing locations:
Good neighbors
CarrottomatoRoseStrawberry
Indoor & direct sowing
Garlic: Sowing and germination
Garlic is typically not pre-cultivated from seeds but planted directly as cloves.
Winter garlic is planted in autumn (September-November), summer garlic in spring (February-April).
Planting & site
Garlic: Planting and spacing
Garlic is planted directly into the bed as cloves; transplanting is not relevant.
Temperature & frost
Garlic: Temperature and site
Water & nutrients
Garlic: Water, nutrients and care
Container & growth
Garlic: Container, support and growth
Year plan
Garlic Calendar
Plant winter garlic in autumn for an early harvest next summer.
Recurring tasks
Relevant now
June
- No additional single task
Next up
July
- No additional single task
Monthly tasks
Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.
January
Quiet month
February
No additional single task
March
No additional single task
April
No additional single task
May
Quiet month
June
No additional single task
August
Harvest
- Harvest late summer garlicBlätter welken: Final harvest for summer garlic.
September
Growing
- Prepare soilvor dem Pflanzen: Loosen the soil deeply and enrich with compost.
October
No additional single task
November
No additional single task
December
Quiet month
Flowering & pollination
Garlic Flowering & pollination
Flowering period
May - July (for hardneck varieties, if scapes are not removed)
Self-fertility
sterile_or_low
Pollinator needed
no
Overview
Garlic primarily propagates vegetatively via cloves. Flowers are often sterile or produce bulbils instead of seeds. Pollination is not required for bulb formation.
Notes
Most garlic varieties, especially commercially available ones, propagate vegetatively via cloves and rarely or never produce viable seeds. Hardneck varieties produce flower stalks (scapes) with bulbils that can be used for propagation.
Companion guide
Garlic Companion guide
Good neighbors
CarrottomatoRoseStrawberryCabbageApple tree
Use & storage
Garlic Use & storage
Harvest when the leaves start to yellow and bend over. For winter garlic, this is usually in June/July; for summer garlic, in July/August.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, dark place, ideally hanging in nets or braids for good air circulation.
Storage life
6-12 months (whole bulbs, well-cured)
Flavor
Pungent, spicy, aromatic, sweet and mild when cooked
Harvest
Harvest when the leaves start to yellow and bend over. For winter garlic, this is usually in June/July; for summer garlic, in July/August.
Culinary uses
Processing
After harvest
After harvest, carefully pull or dig the bulbs from the soil. Roughly remove soil, but do not wash. Allow garlic to dry (cure) in an airy, shaded place (e.g., under a roof overhang) for 2-4 weeks until the outer wrappers are dry and the stalks rustle. Afterwards, roots and excess leaves can be trimmed.
Notes
Garlic is a versatile seasoning in many cuisines worldwide. It is most pungent raw, developing a milder, sweeter note when cooked or roasted. Young leaves and scapes can be used like chives.
Edibility & safety
Garlic Edibility & safety
For people
In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.
Safety notes
Garlic is toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and some other animals, and can lead to anemia. For humans, it is safe in normal quantities, but excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Animal safety
The evidence for this plant and animals is still limited. Check the detail rows before allowing access or feeding.
Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.
Companion animals
DogNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
RabbitNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Guinea pigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
HamsterNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
BudgieNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Farm animals
HorseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
ChickenNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
DuckNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GooseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
SheepNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GoatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CattleNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
PigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.
Max risk
unknown
Highest status
not established
Urgency
unknown
Saving seed
Garlic Saving seed
Method
Garlic is generally not propagated from seeds, as the flowers are often sterile or only produce bulbils. Propagation occurs vegetatively via the cloves of the bulb or via bulbils.
Notes
True seeds are extremely rare and found only in a few varieties under specific conditions. Propagation via cloves or bulbils is the common and reliable method to obtain true-to-type plants.
Practical tips
Garlic Practical tips
Common beginner mistakes
Success pattern
High-impact tips
Grower observations
Plant Profile
Additional plant images
Health
Pests, Diseases
Plant health
Diagnosis help
Garlic Diagnosis help
Pest groups
Disease groups
Fungal diseases (rust, downy mildew, white rot, Penicillium rot)
Prevention
Diagnosis
Look for leaf discolorations (yellow, brown, silvery), wilting or distorted shoots, visible fungal growth or pests, and soft or rotting bulbs. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful control.
Cultural prevention
Monitoring
First response
Diagnostic rules
Leaves turn yellow and wilt, starting at the tip or base.
Possible causes: Nitrogen deficiency, Wassermangel, Onion fly, White rot
- Check soil moisture
- Examine leaves for pustules or growth
- Check bulb base for rot
White, cottony fungal growth at the bulb base, bulbs rotting.
Possible causes: White rot, Faule knollen
- Carefully dig up plant and check bulb base
- Look for small black sclerotia
Orange-brown pustules on leaves and stems.
Possible causes: Knoblauchrost
- Examine leaves closely, especially in humid weather
Silvery spots/streaks on leaves, distorted growth.
Possible causes: Zwiebelthrips
- Check leaves for small, mobile insects (use a magnifying glass)
FAQ
When do you plant garlic?
Winter garlic is planted in autumn (September to November), and summer garlic in spring (February to April) as soon as the soil is frost-free.
How deep should garlic be planted?
Plant individual cloves about 5-10 cm deep in the soil, with the pointed end facing up.
When is garlic ready to harvest?
Garlic is ready for harvest when the lower leaves turn yellow and the upper leaves are still partially green. This usually occurs between June and August.
Can you grow garlic in pots?
Yes, garlic can be successfully grown in pots. Ensure sufficiently large pots (at least 3-5 liters volume per plant) with good drainage.
Why are my garlic bulbs not growing large?
Common causes include lack of water during bulb formation, nutrient deficiency, too close spacing, too much nitrogen, or a too shady location.
Is Garlic safe for Dog?
Garlic is classified as not established for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Garlic safe for Cat?
Garlic is classified as not established for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Garlic safe for Rabbit?
Garlic is classified as not established for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Garlic safe for Guinea pig?
Garlic is classified as not established for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Guides
Related guides
Guide
Dogs in the Garden: Windfall Fruit and Risks
Keep your garden dog-safe by managing windfall fruit, seeds, stored crops, and potentially problematic plant parts.
Guide
Toxic Garden Plants for Cats: Safer Planning
Learn which garden plants can be risky for cats, how to plan safer beds, and what to do if a cat eats a toxic plant.
Guide
Rabbits in the Garden: Herbs and Vegetables
Learn how to choose suitable herbs and vegetables for rabbits, grow feeding plants, and plan a rabbit-friendly garden.
Guide
Companion Planting for Tomatoes: Good and Bad Neighbors
Learn which plants grow well with tomatoes, which neighbors to avoid, and how to plan productive mixed tomato beds.
Internal links
Related plants
Onion fly
A common pest for all alliums.
Garlic rust
A specific fungal disease affecting alliums.
Downy mildew
A fungal disease affecting many alliums.
White rot
A serious soil-borne disease for alliums.
Carrot
Both are medium feeders and benefit from balanced fertilization.
Both require consistent moisture during the growth phase.
Sources
Public sources
- Wikidata entity
Wikidata · 2026-05-13
- GBIF species match
GBIF · 2026-05-13
- Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Knoblauch
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13
- English Wikipedia: Garlic
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13