Garlic.

De un vistazo

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

60 cm tall

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Cuidados

Plant cloves in the fall and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Watch for yellowing leaves as the harvest time approaches, which signals that the bulbs are ready to be lifted. Ensure the soil has excellent drainage to prevent the bulbs from rotting during winter.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season but reduce watering as the leaves begin to brown.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once in early spring to support leaf growth.

Pruning

Remove flower scapes as they appear to direct energy into bulb development.

Repotting

Garlic is typically grown in the ground, but if using containers, refresh the soil annually before planting new cloves.

Soil

Well draining, fertile, loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-15 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically grown as an annual crop.

Fragrance

strong

Deer and rabbits

high

Seguridad

People

Garlic is generally safe for humans, though raw consumption can irritate the stomach lining.

Pets

Garlic is toxic to cats and dogs as it can cause damage to their red blood cells.

Children

Keep bulbs away from small children as they pose a choking hazard if swallowed whole.

Contact allergens

Handling raw garlic can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to diallyl disulfide.

Airborne allergens

Garlic pollen is not a common airborne allergen, but dust from dried bulbs can occasionally irritate the nose.

Edibility

While garlic is a common culinary staple, consuming excessive amounts can cause digestive distress or interact with certain medications.

Cómo identificarla

• Long, narrow, flat green leaves
• Underground bulb composed of multiple cloves
• Papery white or purple outer skin
• Tall, central flowering stalk
• Small white or pinkish star flowers

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.15 to 0.2m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

white, purple, Summer

Problemas frecuentes

• White rot — A soilborne fungus that causes leaves to yellow and roots to decay.
• Onion maggot — Larvae that tunnel into the bulb and cause the plant to wilt.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

division

When to plant

Fall

Overwintering

Mulch the soil heavily after planting in the fall to protect the bulbs from extreme temperature fluctuations. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent rot during wet winter months.

In containers

Garlic grows well in containers at least 8 inches deep with good drainage.

Plant garlic in the fall alongside overwintering crops to maximize space and pest protection.

Buenas compañeras

• Carrots — Garlic helps deter carrot rust flies.
• Roses — Garlic planted near roses may help repel aphids.

Mantenla lejos de

• Asparagus — Garlic can stunt the growth of asparagus when planted in close proximity.
• Beans — Garlic can inhibit the growth of beans by suppressing beneficial soil bacteria.

Especies parecidas

• Elephant Garlic — It is a larger, milder relative that grows in a similar fashion.
• Chives — They share the same genus and have similar growing requirements.

Ciencia

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Genus

Allium

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Central Asia and northeastern Iran.

Conservation

Garlic is a widely cultivated crop and is not of conservation concern.

It survives in the wild by producing hardy bulbs that remain dormant through cold winters.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

culinary flavoring, companion planting, traditional medicine

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

When should I plant garlic?

Plant in the fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes.

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest when the lower leaves begin to turn brown and dry out.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Allium is the classical Latin word for garlic, while sativum means cultivated.

Bueno saberlo

• Garlic is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family.
• The pungent smell comes from sulfur compounds released when the bulb is crushed.
• Garlic was once used by ancient athletes to improve performance.