Growing garlic in containers is an increasingly popular method among urban gardeners and anyone working with limited outdoor space. The ability to grow garlic in containers allows for more flexibility in gardening and helps maintain control over soil quality, moisture, and pests. Garlic, known for its culinary versatility and medicinal properties, is a hardy crop that adapts well to container cultivation when given the proper conditions.
This guide provides everything you need to know about how to grow garlic in containers—from choosing the right varieties and containers to harvesting and curing for storage. With the right setup and care, container-grown garlic can yield bulbs just as flavorful and robust as those grown in traditional garden beds.
Why Choose to Grow Garlic in Containers?
Container gardening offers many benefits, particularly when growing crops like garlic that require specific soil and spacing conditions. Some of the reasons to grow garlic in containers include:
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Space Efficiency: Perfect for balconies, patios, and small yards.
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Soil Control: Easier to create well-drained, nutrient-rich soil ideal for garlic.
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Pest Management: Containers reduce exposure to soil-borne pests and diseases.
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Mobility: Containers can be moved to optimize sun exposure throughout the growing season.
Best Garlic Varieties for Containers
Choosing the right garlic variety is the first important decision when planning to grow garlic in containers. Garlic is generally divided into two main types: softneck and hardneck.
Softneck Garlic
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Characteristics: Stores well for long periods, produces more cloves per bulb.
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Recommended Varieties: 'California Early', 'California Late', 'Inchelium Red'.
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Container Compatibility: Excellent, as it doesn’t require vernalization (cold exposure) in some climates.
Hardneck Garlic
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Characteristics: Fewer, larger cloves; produces a scape (flower stalk); richer flavor.
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Recommended Varieties: 'Rocambole', 'Purple Stripe', 'German Red'.
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Container Compatibility: Ideal for cooler climates with natural winter chill.
When to Plant Garlic in Containers
Timing is crucial when deciding to grow garlic in containers. Planting garlic in the fall (typically from late September through November) allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter dormancy. In warmer regions where winters are mild, planting can extend into early December. For those in colder zones, it’s best to get cloves in the soil 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes.
Selecting the Right Container
Garlic doesn’t have an extensive root system, but it does need room to develop its bulbs properly.
Container Requirements:
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Depth: Minimum of 8–10 inches.
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Width: Should allow spacing of at least 4–6 inches between cloves.
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Drainage: Must have several drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Material: Food-safe plastic, terra cotta, grow bags, or wooden planters all work well.
If you’re planting multiple cloves, consider using rectangular planters or wide round pots that offer surface area over depth.
Soil Requirements for Container Garlic
Garlic thrives in loose, fertile soil with excellent drainage. Since container soil conditions are fully in your control, use this to your advantage.
Ideal Soil Mix:
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Base: High-quality potting mix (not garden soil).
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Amendments: Compost, aged manure, or worm castings for organic matter.
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Aeration: Add perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage.
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pH: Aim for slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0).
A recommended mix might be 60% potting mix, 30% compost, and 10% perlite.
Preparing Garlic for Planting
Before planting garlic in containers, prepare your seed garlic properly.
Steps:
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Buy Certified Seed Garlic: Use bulbs from a reputable supplier, not grocery store garlic, which may be treated to prevent sprouting.
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Break Apart Bulbs: Separate individual cloves without damaging them. Keep the papery skins intact.
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Select the Best Cloves: Use the largest cloves for planting; they produce the largest bulbs.
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Optional Pre-Soaking: Soak cloves in a solution of water and baking soda or a seaweed fertilizer for 2–4 hours before planting to stimulate root development.
How to Plant Garlic in Containers
Once you’ve prepared your cloves and containers, follow these steps:
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Fill the Container: Add your prepared soil mix to about an inch below the rim.
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Plant Each Clove: Insert cloves pointy end up, 2 inches deep, spaced 4–6 inches apart.
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Cover and Water: Gently backfill with soil and water thoroughly until moisture runs out of the drainage holes.
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Mulch: Add a thin layer of straw, dried leaves, or shredded bark to help regulate moisture and temperature.
Caring for Garlic in Containers
1. Sunlight
Garlic requires full sun—at least 6–8 hours per day. Place containers where they will get unobstructed light.
2. Watering
Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy. Garlic doesn’t tolerate waterlogged roots. In cool weather, water once per week. Increase frequency in warmer months.
3. Fertilizing
Feed your garlic every 3–4 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer or fish emulsion during the growing season. Stop fertilizing once the bulbs begin to form in late spring or early summer.
4. Cold Protection
In colder zones, consider wrapping your containers in burlap or moving them to a sheltered location to prevent soil from freezing solid. Garlic needs cold, but not complete freezing.
Managing Garlic Scapes
If you're growing hardneck garlic, you’ll notice a green shoot curling upward in late spring. This is called a scape.
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Why Remove Scapes: Cutting off the scape redirects the plant’s energy back to the bulb, resulting in larger garlic heads.
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When to Cut: Once the scape makes a full curl, snip it off near the base.
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Bonus: Garlic scapes are edible and delicious in stir-fries, pesto, or roasted whole.
Harvesting Garlic in Containers
Garlic is usually ready for harvest in mid to late summer, about 7–9 months after planting. The exact timing depends on the variety and climate.
Signs Garlic is Ready:
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Leaves begin to yellow and die back from the bottom up.
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The plant still has 4–5 green leaves at the top.
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Bulbs have filled out and have visible cloves inside the papery skin.
Harvesting Tips:
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Use a hand trowel or gently wiggle the bulbs free from the soil.
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Avoid pulling by the stem—it can snap or damage the bulb.
Curing and Storing Garlic
Freshly harvested garlic needs to cure before storage to develop flavor and increase shelf life.
Curing Steps:
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Leave Stalks Intact: Do not remove roots or tops yet.
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Drying Environment: Lay bulbs on a screen or hang them in a warm, dry, shaded, and well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks.
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Clean and Trim: Once dry, brush off loose dirt, trim roots, and cut stalks to 1 inch above the bulb.
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Storage Conditions: Store in a cool (50–60°F), dry, dark place with good air circulation.
Properly cured garlic can last up to 6–9 months.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing garlic in containers minimizes many problems, but issues can still arise.
Yellowing Leaves
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Cause: Overwatering, nitrogen deficiency, or early-season cold snaps.
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Solution: Adjust watering; apply compost tea or fish emulsion.
Small Bulbs
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Cause: Crowding, inadequate sunlight, or insufficient nutrients.
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Solution: Ensure proper spacing, location, and regular feeding schedule.
Mold or Rot
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Cause: Poor drainage or excessive moisture.
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Solution: Improve drainage, reduce watering, and use a breathable mulch.
Companion Plants for Garlic in Containers
Garlic is an excellent companion plant due to its pest-repellent qualities.
Suitable Companions:
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Lettuce
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Spinach
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Strawberries
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Beets
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Carrots
Avoid planting garlic near peas or beans, as it can inhibit their growth.
Reusing Soil for Future Crops
After harvesting garlic, the container soil can often be reused, but it should be refreshed.
Steps:
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Remove old roots and debris.
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Add fresh compost or aged manure.
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Rotate crops—avoid planting other alliums in the same soil immediately.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to grow garlic in containers opens up opportunities for year-round cultivation, especially for those without access to a traditional garden. With the right container, soil mix, and care, garlic can thrive in a patio pot just as well as in an open field. This method also gives home gardeners more control over every aspect of the growing process, from planting to curing.
Whether you're a city dweller with a balcony garden or a backyard gardener wanting to maximize your space, growing garlic in containers is both practical and rewarding. With patience, attention to detail, and a little seasonal planning, your containers can yield a generous harvest of flavorful garlic bulbs that store well and enhance your meals for months to come.