How Many Garlic Bulbs Per Plant

If you’re planning a garlic patch, one of the first questions you likely have is how many garlic bulbs per plant you can expect. The simple, direct answer is that each planted garlic clove grows into one single bulb. Understanding this basic fact is key to planning your garden yield, but the number of cloves you get from that bulb is where the real variables come in.

Growing garlic is rewarding and surprisingly straightforward. This guide will walk you through everything that influences your final harvest, from planting choices to curing methods. You’ll learn how to maximize your yield and get the most from every plant.

As mentioned, one planted clove equals one mature bulb at harvest time. You do not get multiple bulbs from a single clove. The real measure of your success is the size and quality of that bulb, and how many cloves it contains. This is what determines your yield for cooking and for saving cloves to plant next season.

The Core Factors That Determine Your Garlic Yield

Several key elements directly impact how large and well-developed your garlic bulbs will be. Paying attention to these will make a huge difference in your harvest.

1. Garlic Variety: Hardneck vs. Softneck

This is the biggest factor in clove count and bulb size.

Hardneck Garlic: Produces fewer, larger cloves arranged around a hard central stalk (the “neck”). Typically yields 4-12 large, easy-to-peel cloves per bulb. They are favored for their complex flavors and produce edible scapes in early summer.
Softneck Garlic: Produces more cloves per bulb, often in multiple layers. They can have 10-24 (or more) cloves per bulb. The cloves can vary in size, with smaller ones in the center. Softnecks store longer and are the type commonly braided.

2. Seed Clove Quality and Size

Always plant the largest, healthiest cloves from your best bulbs. A bigger, robust clove has more stored energy to produce a bigger bulb. Avoid using small cloves from the grocery store, as they may be treated to prevent sprouting and are not always suited to your local climate.

3. Planting Time and Vernalization

Garlic needs a period of cold to properly form bulbs. In most regions, it’s planted in the fall. This allows the clove to establish roots before winter. The cold triggers the biological process (vernalization) that tells the plant to form a bulb when days lengthen in spring. Planting too late in spring often results in tiny, single-clove bulbs called “rounds.”

4. Soil Health and Nutrition

Garlic thrives in loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Heavy clay or sandy soil won’t produce good yields.

Amend Soil: Mix in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Fertilize: Garlic is a heavy feeder. Provide a balanced fertilizer at planting and again in early spring as growth resumes. A side-dressing of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in spring is very beneficial.

5. Sunlight and Watering

Garlic needs full sun—at least 6-8 hours per day. Consistent watering is crucial, especially during bulbing in late spring. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t let plants drought-stress. Reduce watering in the last few weeks before harvest to let the bulbs cure in the ground and prevent rot.

Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Bulb Size

Follow these steps for your best harvest yet.

Step 1: Source and Prepare Your Seed Garlic

Buy certified disease-free seed garlic from a reputable nursery or garden center. Break apart the bulbs into individual cloves just before planting, keeping the papery skin intact. Choose the biggest cloves for planting; use the smaller ones for cooking.

Step 2: Plant Correctly in the Fall

Plant 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes in your area.
Place cloves pointy-end up, 2 inches deep.
Space cloves 6 inches apart in rows spaced 12 inches apart.
Cover with soil and top with a thick layer of mulch (like straw or leaves) to insulate over winter.

Step 3: Spring and Summer Care

Remove Mulch: Once the threat of hard frost passes, pull back mulch to let soil warm.
Fertilize: Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer when plants are about a foot tall.
Water Consistently: Ensure plants get about 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation.
Cut Scapes: For hardneck varieties, cut off the curly flower stalk (the scape) when it appears. This redirects the plant’s energy from flower production into making a larger bulb.

Step 4: Know When and How to Harvest

Harvest timing is critical. If you harvest to late, the bulbs may have split open and won’t store well.

Watch for the lower leaves to turn brown, while the top 5-6 leaves remain green. This usually happens in mid-summer.
Gently loosen the soil with a garden fork, being careful not to pierce the bulbs.
Lift the plants out and brush off excess soil—do not wash them.

Step 5: Cure for Long-Term Storage

Curing is essential for your bulbs to store properly. Without it, they will rot.

Bundle 6-8 plants together and hang them, or lay them in a single layer on a rack.
Place in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated area for 3-4 weeks.
The garlic is cured when the outer skin is papery and the necks are completely dry.
Trim roots and cut stalks, leaving about an inch on softnecks for braiding or 6 inches on hardnecks.

Common Problems That Reduce Yield

Watch out for these issues that can lead to smaller bulbs or crop loss.

Weed Competition: Garlic hates competing with weeds. Keep the bed well-weeded, especially in spring.
Overcrowding: Planting cloves to close together results in small, cramped bulbs. Stick to the 6-inch spacing.
Diseases: White rot, rust, and fungal issues can ruin a crop. Use crop rotation (don’t plant garlic in the same spot for at least 3 years) and ensure good air circulation.
Pests: Onion maggots and nematodes can damage bulbs. Using healthy seed and practicing crop rotation are your best defenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you get more than one bulb from a single clove?

No. One planted clove produces one compound bulb made up of multiple cloves. You can sometimes get “double bulbs” if the clove splits, but this is uncommon and not desireable for storage.

How many cloves are in an average garlic bulb?

It varies widely. A hardneck bulb typically has 4-12 large cloves. A softneck bulb often has 10-24 or more cloves, which can range in size. The variety and growing conditions are the main determinants.

Does bigger seed garlic cloves mean a bigger harvest?

Yes, absolutely. Planting larger cloves gives the new plant a significant head start. It’s the easiest way to influence your final bulb size.

Why did my garlic only produce one big clove (a round)?

This usually happens due to planting too late (missing the vernalization period), using very small seed cloves, or extreme stress during the growing season. These rounds can be replanted the next fall to produce a normal, multi-clove bulb.

How much garlic should I plant for my family?

A good rule of thumb is to plant 3-5 bulbs worth of cloves per person if you use garlic regularly. Remember, you’ll want to save some of your biggest and best bulbs to replant for next year’s crop, so always grow a bit extra.

By understanding that each plant gives you one bulb, you can focus on the factors that make that bulb the best it can be. Choosing the right variety, planting quality cloves at the right time, and providing consistent care through the season are the secrets to a bountiful harvest. With a little patience and attention, you’ll be rewarded with a supply of homegrown garlic that’s far superior to anything you can buy at the store. The flavor of fresh, properly cured garlic is truly remarkable.