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Cloves for planting Amaryllidaceae

bulbs

Elephant Garlic for Planting

Allium ampeloprasum

Elephant garlic is a spectacular edible bulb valued for its very large cloves, mild aroma and less pungent flavor than regular garlic. Easy to grow in Canadian gardens, it is best planted in fall in fertile, loose and well-drained soil. It produces a generous summer harvest and works beautifully in the vegetable garden, edible borders or deep container growing.

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Quantity Quantity varies by selected format: 1 clove or 3 cloves.

Exposure Full sun

Difficulty level Easy

FamilyAmaryllidaceae

TypeCloves for planting

CyclePerennial grown as an annual

Quantity per packetQuantity varies by selected format: 1 clove or 3 cloves.

Elephant garlic, also known as giant elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum), is a unique edible Allium grown for its oversized bulbs, large cloves, and mild, sweet flavour. Although commonly called garlic, it is botanically closer to a leek while producing impressive bulbs that resemble oversized garlic heads. Its upright blue-green foliage also makes it an attractive addition to vegetable gardens, edible landscapes, and ornamental borders.

Easy to grow and highly productive, elephant garlic is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow their own cooking garlic or add a distinctive crop to the garden. Its large, tender cloves are perfect for roasting, baking, soups, spreads, and everyday cooking.

To grow elephant garlic successfully, plant individual cloves in fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes, allowing roots to establish before winter. In colder regions, early spring planting is also possible, although bulbs are typically smaller. Choose a location in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Plant cloves 5 to 8 cm (2–3 in.) deep and 20 to 30 cm (8–12 in.) apart, with the pointed end facing upward. Water regularly during active growth, but avoid waterlogged soil. A layer of mulch helps protect the bulbs through winter, while compost or a balanced fertilizer encourages vigorous growth.

Elephant garlic grows well in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers. It pairs well with tomatoes, carrots, beets, lettuce, strawberries, cabbage, and many culinary herbs, but is best kept away from peas and beans. Harvest usually takes place from July to August, once the lower leaves have yellowed and roughly one-third to one-half of the foliage has dried. Removing the flower stalks (scapes) encourages larger bulbs, although the ornamental blooms also attract pollinators. With its mild flavour, impressive size, and reliable performance, elephant garlic is an easy and rewarding crop for Canadian gardens.

Sowing guide

From packetto germination.

Sowing periodFall, 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes; possible very early in spring

Sowing depth5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in)

Germination temperature10 to 18 °C

Germination time14 to 28 days for clove rooting

Growing method

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Soil and care

The rightconditions.

Exposure Full sun

Soil Elephant garlic prefers loose, deep, fertile and very well-drained soil enriched with mature compost. Heavy, compacted or waterlogged soils should be avoided, as they can reduce bulb quality and affect the harvest.

Soil pH Neutral to slightly alkaline

Watering Water regularly during active spring growth, allowing the soil to drain between waterings. Reduce watering when the foliage begins to yellow before harvest. Avoid soggy soil, as elephant garlic bulbs perform best in well-drained conditions.

Fertilization A light to moderate feeding with mature compost at planting is ideal for elephant garlic. In spring, a balanced fertilizer can support strong foliage and bulb formation, but avoid applying too much nitrogen late in the season, as this may reduce bulb quality.

Care level Easy

Seasonal care

In fall, plant the elephant garlic cloves and add mulch to help protect the soil through winter. In spring, gradually remove excess mulch, keep the bed weed-free and water during dry periods. In summer, reduce watering when the foliage begins to yellow, then harvest the bulbs and cure them in a dry, airy location before storage.

Container growing

A controlledenvironment.

Recommended pot size{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"\nMinimum 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) deep pot with good drainage.\n\n"}]}]}

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Bloom and dimensions

The completeprofile.

Bloom periodSummer flowering if the scape is left on the plant

HarvestJuly to August, when the foliage yellows and begins to dry

Growth rateModerate

Garden associations

What to plantwith it.

Good companionsTomatoes, carrots, beets, lettuce, strawberries, cabbage, chamomile, summer savory

Avoid planting withPeas, beans and other legumes

Vegetable garden, edible border, garden rows, food garden, container growing, culinary harvest

From the gardento inspiration.

{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"Elephant garlic is a favorite for anyone who loves roasted garlic, oven-baked dishes and comforting homemade recipes. Thanks to its very large cloves and milder flavor than regular garlic, elephant garlic becomes soft, fragrant and slightly sweet when roasted slowly. It is perfect for roasted elephant garlic spread, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted garlic sauce, homemade vinaigrettes, hummus, soups, marinades or simply spread on warm bread with olive oil."}]}, {"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"To roast elephant garlic in the oven, trim the top of the bulb slightly, drizzle with olive oil, then add salt, pepper and herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Bake until the cloves become tender, golden and creamy. Once roasted, elephant garlic blends easily into mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, pasta, soups, tomato sauces, dips and roasted meat dishes."}]}, {"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"Elephant garlic is also excellent with pork roast, beef roast, chicken, root vegetables and grilled vegetables. Its delicate flavor adds depth without overpowering the dish, making it a great choice for recipes where regular garlic may taste too strong. Use it in pork roast with garlic and mustard, roasted chicken with garlic, roasted carrots with honey and garlic, mushroom dishes, squash recipes or homemade sauces."}]}, {"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"Once cooked, roasted elephant garlic can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It becomes a practical ingredient to add quick flavor to weeknight meals. Mix it into Alfredo sauce, mayonnaise, soup, dips, marinades, sandwich spreads or vegetable dishes. For gardeners wondering what to do with elephant garlic, the possibilities are almost endless."}]}, {"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"Beyond the kitchen, elephant garlic is rewarding to grow in the vegetable garden. Plant the cloves in fall in loose, fertile and well-drained soil, then harvest the bulbs the following summer. Its large bulbs make it a spectacular, productive and satisfying crop for gardeners who love cooking with their own harvest."}]}]}

Frequently asked questions

Everything toknow.

When should you plant elephant garlic in Canada?+

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How do you plant elephant garlic and how deep should it be planted?+

{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"\nElephant garlic is planted from cloves, not from traditional seed. Place each elephant garlic clove with the pointed end facing up, about 2 to 3 inches deep, in loose, fertile and well-drained soil. Space the cloves 8 to 12 inches apart to give the large bulbs enough room to develop. Rooting usually takes 14 to 28 days when soil conditions are favorable.\n\n"}]}]}

What sun exposure and soil does elephant garlic need?+

{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"\nElephant garlic grows best in full sun and in loose, deep, fertile and well-drained soil. Adding mature compost at planting helps support strong roots, vigorous foliage and good bulb development. Keep the soil evenly moist in spring, but avoid soggy conditions, because elephant garlic bulbs can suffer in heavy or poorly drained soil.\n\n"}]}]}

Can elephant garlic be grown in pots or containers?+

{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"\nYes, elephant garlic can be grown in containers as long as the pot is deep, wide and has excellent drainage. Use a rich, light, well-drained potting mix amended with compost, and space the cloves so the bulbs have room to grow. Container growing works well on a sunny balcony or terrace, but elephant garlic in pots usually needs more regular watering than plants grown in the ground.\n\n"}]}]}

When should you harvest elephant garlic?+

{"type"=>"root", "children"=>[{"type"=>"paragraph", "children"=>[{"type"=>"text", "value"=>"\nElephant garlic is usually harvested in summer, when the lower leaves begin to yellow and about one-third to one-half of the foliage has started to dry. In many Canadian gardens, this often happens from July to August, depending on planting time, region and weather. After harvest, cure the bulbs in a dry, shaded and well-ventilated location before storing them.\n\n"}]}]}