You Don't Need a Garden to Grow Garlic—Here's How to Do It Indoors

Growing garlic indoors is a great option for gardeners who don't have room to plant the allium outside. While it can be challenging to grow a head of garlic inside, many gardeners have success growing scapes, which are the green tops of a bulb. Garlic greens are very delicious and can be used as a seasoning or garnish. However, with proper care, it is possible to grow bulbs of garlic from the comfort of your home. It's important for garlic to have access to bright light when growing indoors. This will give you the best chance at growing scapes—and potentially full bulbs.

How to Plant Garlic Indoors

If your goal is to grow garlic bulbs (not just the greens) indoors, you must give the allium a period of vernalization, says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. Vernalization induces a plant's flowering process by exposing it to prolonged cold.

You can plant multiple cloves of garlic in one pot as long as there is enough space for each to grow. "Plant the cloves about 4 to 6 inches apart to allow proper growth," says Spoonemore. Choose containers that have drainage holes to prevent standing water, which may lead to root rot.

1. Place the cloves of garlic you want to plant in a re-sealable bag with some soil.
2. Place the bag in the freezer for 4 to 6 weeks for vernalization.
3. After chilling, break the garlic bulb into individual cloves.
4. Plant the cloves about 2 inches deep with the pointed ends facing up. Use nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
5. Cover the cloves with more soil and gently tamp down.
6. Water the soil well.

How to Care for Garlic Indoors

Caring for garlic properly will encourage it to grow bulbs indoors, rather than just greens.

Light

Garlic needs at least six hours of bright, indirect light indoors. “Keep your garlic in a sunny location, as light is crucial for growth,” says Spoonemore. Keeping it in front of a south- or east-facing window is ideal if you have one. “If the natural sunlight is insufficient, consider adding grow lights,” she says. 

Soil

Plant garlic in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. “Consider adding organic matter, such as compost, to enrich your soil,” says Spoonemore. “The ideal soil pH for garlic is between 6.0 and 7.5.” 

Water

Garlic prefers consistently moist soil that isn’t soggy. To achieve this, water garlic weekly and keep the soil moist during the bulb formation period. “When growing in a container, pots generally dry faster,” says Adrienne Roethling, garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. Be sure to avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. 

Fertilizer

If you just want to grow garlic greens, fertilizer isn’t necessary. If your goal is to produce garlic bulbs, fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer when planting, then use a nitrogen fertilizer or fish emulsion every three weeks after that, says Spoonemore. Follow the package instructions before feeding your garlic fertilizer. 

Temperature

Garlic thrives in cooler temperatures, says Spoonemore. The plant likes a moderate level of humidity to promote growth and development.

Types of Garlic

When growing garlic indoors, consider these popular varieties.

• Softneck Garlic: A great variety for growing indoors, softneck is a common type of garlic used for planting and cooking. “The bulb is typically elongated with multiple layers of cloves,” says Spoonemore. “Softneck garlic is most commonly found in grocery stores. It typically has a longer shelf life and is well-suited for a wide range of climates.” 
• Hardneck Garlic: Another common garlic variety, hardneck garlic produces a flowering stalk in its center. The bulb on hardneck garlic is rounder than softneck. “ This type of garlic is known for its more complex flavor profile and has a shorter shelf lifespan compared to other types of garlic,” says Spoonemore. 
• Elephant Garlic: This garlic type produces large bulbs and cloves. “With fewer, larger cloves, the flavor is milder and less pungent than other types of garlic,” says Spoonemore. “Elephant garlic requires a longer growing period compared to other varieties.”

How to Harvest Garlic 

Garlic is ready to be harvested when about one-third of the leaves have turned brown. “Green leaves will remain when it is ready to be harvested, and these leaves help protect the garlic in the harvesting and curing stage,” says Spoonemore. “Do not wait for all the leaves to turn brown to harvest your garlic.”

Harvest garlic by gently lifting the bulb from the soil. Cure the bulbs in a warm, dry location before using. Once cured, store the garlic for up to 10 months in a cool, dry area, says Spoonemore. Garlic greens are typically ready in about one to two weeks and can be harvested as needed by snipping off pieces with clean, sharp scissors.

Common Problems With Garlic

Garlic is a relatively low-maintenance plant to grow indoors when it comes to pests and diseases. Due to its pungent smell, it is naturally unappealing to insects. However, the foliage may be prone to aphids, says Roethling. "If that is the case, simply hose down the leaves with soapy water," she says. Garlic can also be prone to root rot, which typically occurs due to over-watering. By planting it in a pot, though, water saturation should be minimal, says Spoonemore.