Q&A for How to Grow Garlic in Water

You can definitely plant them in soil. Just plant the bulb in dirt, with only the sprout above soil. Keep the soil moist for the first week or so, and then water as you would any outdoor plant.

Just moisten a clove, put it in a damp paper towel and place in warm location. You will see buds on it after 2 days.

Yes, you can still eat the clove if you choose to do so.

A clove takes at least 40 days to turn into a bulb with temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yes, but you're better off starting it in a little cup of dirt until it grows roots. Then you can move it to a large pot or planter.

Garlic, like onions and potatoes, will continue to grow when you cut the top off from the original plant where there is an "eye" or growth. Place it in soil, dampen it, cover with plastic wrap, and monitor it. After a week or so, you should see some changes. Remove the plastic wrap and water it regularly.

It may grow a little in three days, but no plant will give you instant results. Give it a week, checking occasionally, and you'll see real progress.

The garlic coat can split after a week in water due to rapid growth, excess moisture, or temperature changes. It's a natural part of the growth process and usually not harmful.

No, you cannot harvest garlic after just four days. Garlic typically takes 6-8 months to mature. After four days, the garlic will have only begun to sprout and won't have developed into a full bulb suitable for harvesting.

Yes, it's completely normal. Garlic cloves have enough stored energy and moisture to sprout on their own, especially in a slightly warm, dry environment. This often occurs when garlic is stored for a while, as the cloves naturally try to grow. The sprout indicates the clove is alive and can be planted if desired.

Yes, daily temperatures above 80°F can slow garlic growth. High heat may cause bolting, stress the plant, and reduce bulb size. To protect your garlic, keep the soil moist, mulch to retain soil coolness, and provide shade during peak heat.

To get sprouted garlic before placing it in water, leave a healthy garlic bulb in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight. Over time, the cloves will naturally begin to sprout, especially if stored in a slightly warmer environment. Once you see the sprouts emerging from the top of each clove, you can transfer the sprouted garlic to water for further growth.

Yes, you can plant dry garlic cloves during the rainy season in Rwanda. Plant them 1-2 inches deep in moist, well-drained soil, and they will sprout and grow once in the ground.

Garlic thrives in temperate climates with cool winters and mild springs. It requires well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) and needs full sun, ideally receiving 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Garlic is typically planted in the fall, about 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes, allowing the bulbs to establish roots before winter. Consistent moisture is crucial, especially during early growth, but the soil must be well-drained to avoid waterlogging. The cold period in winter is important for the proper division and formation of cloves.

Yes, when you plant individual garlic cloves in soil, each clove will grow into a new garlic bulb with multiple cloves. The clove acts as a seed, sprouting roots and green shoots, and over the growing season, it will develop into a full bulb. For best results, plant the cloves in the fall so they have time to develop roots before winter, and they'll mature into full bulbs by the following summer.

Growing a garlic clove upside down in water is not ideal. Normally, the root end should be submerged in water for roots to grow downward, while the sprout emerges upward. Planting it upside down could stunt its growth or lead to weaker development. To successfully grow garlic in water, keep the root end down and the pointed end facing up.