If you’re curious about growing garlic, you’ve probably wondered what do garlic seeds look like. The answer is more complex than you might think, because true seeds are rare in the garlic world. Most gardeners grow garlic from cloves, but understanding the visual characteristics of garlic seeds can help you if you want to try something new.
This guide will show you exactly what to look for, from the common bulbils to the rare true seeds. We’ll cover how they form and how you can use them in your garden.
What Do Garlic Seeds Look Like
When gardeners talk about “garlic seeds,” they are usually referring to one of two things: bulbils or true botanical seeds. Each has a distinct appearance.
Garlic Bulbils: The Common “Seed”
Most hardneck garlic varieties produce a flower stalk called a scape. If left unharvested, this scape develops a capsule called an umbel. Inside this umbel, you’ll find the bulbils.
- Size: They range from the size of a grain of rice to as large as a pea.
- Shape: Generally teardrop-shaped or slightly irregular.
- Color: They can be white, cream, purple, or brown, depending on the garlic variety.
- Texture: They have a smooth, hard outer skin, similar to a tiny garlic clove.
Think of bulbils as miniature clones of the mother plant. They are not true seeds but tiny bulbs. A single umbel can contain anywhere from a few dozen to over a hundred of these little bulblets.
True Garlic Seeds: The Rare Find
True garlic seeds are much less common. They only form if the garlic flower is pollinated, which is a rare event. Their appearance is very different from bulbils.
- Size: Very small, similar to onion seeds or tiny black sesame seeds.
- Shape: They are irregular and angular, not round.
- Color: Typically a shiny black when fully mature.
- Texture: They are hard and dry, like most other plant seeds.
These seeds are the result of sexual reproduction, so they will produce a plant that is genetically different from its parent. Growing from true seed is a long process, often taking two to three years to produce a full-sized bulb.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick way to tell them apart if you find them in your garden:
- Bulbils: Larger (grain of rice+), found in clusters inside a dried flower head, look like micro-cloves.
- True Seeds: Tiny (like specks), found in a dried seed pod, shiny black and angular.
How and Where Garlic “Seeds” Form
Knowing where to look is half the battle. Garlic bulbils form at the top of the garlic scape. As the scape curls and then straightens, a bulbous umbel develops. Initially covered by a thin membrane, the umbel eventually cracks open to reveal the cluster of bulbils inside.
True seeds form in the same location but only if the flower is allowed to open and is cross-pollinated. The umbel will produce actual flowers, and if pollination occurs, small seed pods will develop where the flowers were. This is a much slower and less certain process, which is why most growers don’t rely on it.
Encouraging Bulbil Production
If you want to see bulbils for yourself, follow these steps:
- Plant a hardneck garlic variety in the fall.
- In late spring, do not cut the curly scapes.
- Allow the scape to fully mature on the plant. It will stand upright and the umbel will swell.
- Wait until the umbel begins to dry and split open. Then, cut the entire scape head.
- Open the umbel carefully to find the bulbils inside.
Using Garlic Seeds and Bulbils in the Garden
Both bulbils and true seeds can be planted, but they serve different purposes for gardeners.
Growing from Bulbils
Planting bulbils is a great way to propagate garlic without using up your full-sized cloves. It’s also an excellent method for refreshing your stock and avoiding soil-borne diseases.
- Harvest: Collect bulbils from a healthy, mature umbel in mid-summer.
- Planting: They can be planted in the fall, just like regular cloves. Plant them about 1 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
- First Year Growth: In their first year, a bulbil will usually produce a small, single round bulb called a “round.”
- Second Year: Replant that round the next fall to grow it into a full-sized, multi-clove bulb.
This two-year process is very rewarding and helps maintain vigorous garlic varieties.
Growing from True Seeds
This is for the patient gardener or breeder. Growing from true seed allows for new genetic variations.
- Sowing: Sow the tiny black seeds in a well-prepared seed bed in late fall or early spring. They need a period of cold.
- Germination: Keep the soil consistently moist. Germination can be slow and uneven.
- Seedling Stage: The first year will produce a very small, grass-like seedling.
- Long-Term: It typically takes 3 years to go from a true seed to a market-sized bulb. This is why it’s rarely done commercially, but it’s a fun experiment.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
Let’s clear up some frequent points of confusion.
FAQ
Can I buy garlic seeds?
What is usually sold as “garlic seed” are actually planting cloves, not true seeds or bulbils. For true seeds or bulbils, you need to seek out specialty growers or produce them yourself.
Are bulbils faster than seeds?
Yes, significantly. Bulbils reach a full bulb in 2 years. True seeds take at least 3 years, making them a much longer-term project.
Why does my garlic not produce a scape or bulbils?
If you planted softneck garlic, it generally does not produce a hard central scape. Only hardneck varieties (like Rocambole, Porcelain, Purple Stripe) reliably form scapes and bulbils.
Do bulbils affect bulb size?
Yes. If you leave the scape on to form bulbils, the plant diverts energy away from the underground bulb. Your harvested bulb will be smaller. For largest bulbs, cut scapes early. For bulbils, leave them on.
How do I store bulbils or true seeds?
Store them in a cool, dry, and dark place. Bulbils can be stored like garlic cloves, but in a breathable container. True seeds should be kept in a paper envelope or sealed container to keep them dry.
Final Tips for the Curious Gardener
Experimenting with garlic propagation is a fantastic way to learn more about this amazing plant. Start by letting a few of your hardneck scapes mature to see the bulbil clusters. It’s a simple and visually striking process.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at encouraging true seed set by letting different varieties flower near each other. The results can be unpredictable, but you might just develop a new, unique variety suited perfectly to your own garden’s conditions. Remember, gardening is often about the journey as much as the harvest.