Garlic is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops you can grow at home, even in small spaces like balconies or patios. Surprisingly, you don’t need special seeds or bulbs—store-bought garlic from the supermarket is often more than enough to start a thriving garlic garden in pots. With proper planting, care, and a little patience, each clove you plant can grow into a full bulb, giving you fresh, flavorful garlic that’s perfect for cooking and storing.
Here’s everything you need to know to successfully grow garlic from supermarket bulbs in pots.
Why Grow Garlic at Home?
Garlic is not only a kitchen essential but also a powerful natural antibiotic, antioxidant, and pest deterrent in the garden. Growing your own garlic ensures it’s chemical-free, fresh, and available year-round. It requires minimal space, making it ideal for urban gardening and container growing.
Can You Use Supermarket Garlic?
Yes! Most supermarket garlic can be planted and will grow well—especially if it’s organic or untreated. The only caveat is to avoid bulbs that have been sprayed with growth inhibitors, which are sometimes used to prevent sprouting during shipping and storage.
To improve your chances:
-
Choose firm, large bulbs with no signs of mold or rot.
-
Avoid soft or shriveled cloves.
-
Organic garlic is more likely to be untreated and suitable for planting.
When to Plant Garlic
Garlic is usually planted in autumn or early spring, depending on your climate.
-
Autumn planting (ideal): Garlic benefits from a period of cold weather (vernalization), which helps it form large, full bulbs. If you live in a region with mild winters, plant in mid to late fall.
-
Spring planting: In colder regions where the ground freezes early, garlic can be planted in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, though the bulbs may be slightly smaller.
How to Plant Garlic in Pots
Materials Needed:
-
Garlic bulbs (separate into individual cloves)
-
A deep container (at least 20–25 cm or 8–10 inches deep)
-
Well-draining potting mix (preferably enriched with compost)
-
Optional: perlite or sand for extra drainage
Step-by-Step Instructions:
-
Separate the cloves: Gently break the bulb apart, being careful not to damage the cloves.
-
Choose the biggest cloves: Larger cloves will produce bigger, healthier bulbs.
-
Prepare the pot: Fill your pot with loose, well-draining soil. A mix of potting soil, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite works well.
-
Plant the cloves: Insert each clove with the pointed end up and the flat root end down. Plant them 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) deep and space them about 10 cm (4 inches) apart.
-
Water gently: Moisten the soil without soaking it.
Place the pot in a sunny spot where it can get at least 6 hours of light per day.
Garlic Care Tips
-
Watering: Garlic likes slightly moist soil, especially while it’s establishing roots. Avoid overwatering to prevent rot.
-
Fertilizing: Use compost or an all-purpose organic fertilizer every 4–6 weeks. In spring, a nitrogen-rich feed can encourage healthy leaf growth.
-
Mulching: Add a thin layer of mulch (straw or dry leaves) to retain moisture and protect from temperature swings.
-
Pest control: Garlic naturally repels many pests, but watch out for fungal issues in wet conditions.
Harvesting Garlic
Garlic is typically ready to harvest about 8–9 months after planting. Here’s how to tell when it’s ready:
-
The leaves will start turning yellow and dry out from the bottom up.
-
Wait until at least half of the leaves have dried before harvesting.
To harvest:
-
Gently loosen the soil and pull up the bulbs.
-
Shake off excess soil and let the garlic cure in a dry, shaded area with good airflow for 2–3 weeks.
Once cured, trim the roots and tops and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place. Properly cured garlic can last for several months.
Growing Green Garlic (Bonus Tip)
If you can’t wait months for a full bulb, you can still enjoy green garlic—a fresh, milder version of garlic harvested early, similar to spring onions. Harvest green garlic when the shoots are about 20–30 cm tall. These are great for soups, stir-fries, and sauces.
Regrow Garlic Again and Again
Once you’ve harvested your garlic, you can replant the largest cloves for a continuous cycle of homegrown garlic. With each bulb producing multiple cloves, you can multiply your harvest exponentially over time.
Final Thoughts
Growing garlic from supermarket bulbs is not only possible—it’s simple, affordable, and highly rewarding. Whether you’re working with a small patio or just a sunny windowsill, you can cultivate delicious, fresh garlic at home using only a pot, soil, and a few cloves. In just a few months, you’ll have flavorful garlic that you grew yourself—no garden bed required.
Start with just one bulb, and before long, you could be growing hundreds—or even thousands—of garlic cloves right from your own containers.
