How To Grow Garlic Indoors

If you love fresh garlic but lack garden space, learning how to grow garlic indoors is a perfect solution. You can enjoy homegrown bulbs and flavorful greens all year round with just a few simple supplies.

This guide walks you through the entire process. We’ll cover choosing the right garlic, planting, care, and harvesting. Indoor garlic gardening is surprisingly straightforward and very rewarding.

Growing garlic inside requires mimicking its natural outdoor cycle. The key is providing a good cold period for bulb formation and plenty of light for growth. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Gathering your materials first makes the process smooth. You won’t need any specialized equiptment.

Garlic Bulbs: Use organic garlic from a nursery or garden center. Grocery store garlic is often treated to prevent sprouting.
Containers: Pots that are at least 6-8 inches deep and have excellent drainage holes. Width depends on how many cloves you plant.
Potting Mix: A high-quality, well-draining potting soil. Do not use heavy garden soil.
Light Source: A sunny south-facing window is minimum. For best bulbing, a grow light is highly recommended.
Watering Can: With a narrow spout for precise watering.

Choosing the Best Garlic Variety for Indoors

Not all garlic is equal for indoor growing. Softneck varieties typically adapt better to container life than hardnecks.

Softneck garlic has a flexible stalk, stores longer, and often produces more cloves per bulb. Look for varieties like ‘California Early’ or ‘Silverwhite’. If you mainly want garlic greens, any variety will work wonderfully.

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

Follow these steps for the best start. Timing is flexible indoors, but starting in fall aligns with garlic’s natural rhythm.

Prepare the Container: Fill your pot with moistened potting mix, leaving about 2 inches from the rim.
Separate the Cloves: Gently break apart your garlic bulb into individual cloves. Keep the papery skin on each clove.
Plant the Cloves: Push each clove pointed-end-up into the soil, about 2 inches deep. Space them 3-4 inches apart.
Initial Watering: Water the soil thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes.
Cold Treatment: Place the pot in a cool, dark place (like a garage or fridge) for 4-8 weeks to simulate winter. This is crucial for bulb development.

Caring for Your Indoor Garlic Plants

After the cold period, move the pot to it’s main growing location. Consistent care is simple but important.

Light and Temperature

Garlic needs lots of light—at least 6-8 hours of direct light daily. A south-facing window is good, but a grow light for 12-14 hours a day yields much better bulbs. Ideal growing temperatures are between 55-75°F.

Watering and Feeding

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is a common mistake that causes rot.

Feed your plants every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. This gives them the nutrients they need in a container’s limited soil.

Managing Pests and Problems

Indoor garlic has few pest issues. Occasionally, fungus gnats might appear if soil is too wet. Yellowing leaf tips can indicate overwatering or need for fertilizer. Good air circulation helps prevent any fungal problems.

Harvesting Your Garlic Greens and Bulbs

You can actually harvest two crops from your indoor garlic: the greens (scapes) and the full bulbs.

For Greens: Once the green shoots are about 7-10 inches tall, you can snip them with scissors. They taste like mild garlic and are great in salads, soups, and as garnish. They will regrow several times.

For Full Bulbs: This takes about 8-10 months. Signs of readiness include the lower leaves turning brown while the top leaves remain green. Gently loosen the soil and lift the entire plant.

Curing and Storing Your Homegrown Garlic

Curing is essential for storage. Brush off excess soil, but don’t wash the bulbs. Hang them or lay them in a single layer in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place for 3-4 weeks. Once the skins are papery and the necks are tight, trim the roots and stalks. Store in a cool, dry spot.

Common Indoor Garlic Growing Mistakes to Avoid

Using old grocery garlic: It may not sprout, wasting your time.
Skipping the cold period: This often results in no bulb formation, just a single large clove.
Insufficient light: Causes weak, spindly growth and tiny bulbs.
Overwatering: The fastest way to lose your garlic to rot.
Harvesting too early: Patience is key for well-developed bulbs.

FAQ: Your Indoor Garlic Questions Answered

Can I grow garlic indoors from a clove?

Absolutely. Each individual clove you plant will grow into a full new bulb. This is the standard method for propagation.

How long does it take to grow garlic indoors?

For full bulbs, plan on 8 to 10 months from planting to harvest. For continuous garlic greens, you can start harvesting in just a few weeks.

Do I need a grow light for indoor garlic?

While a very sunny window can work, a grow light is strongly advised for reliable results. It ensures your plants get the intensity and duration of light they need to form good-sized bulbs.

Why are my garlic plants so skinny?

Skinny growth almost always means not enough light. Move them to a brighter location or supplement with a grow light. Also, ensure they had their initial cold treatment.

Can I re-grow garlic from kitchen scraps?

You can regrow the greens easily by placing a sprouted clove in water. However, to grow a full new bulb with multiple cloves, you need to plant it in soil following the steps above.

Growing garlic indoors is a satisfying project that yields delicious rewards. With the right setup and a little patience, you’ll have a constant supply of fresh garlic flavor at your fingertips. Start with a single pot and soon you’ll want to grow more.