Allium sativum var. sativum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um sa-TEE-vum sa-TEE-vum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Softneck garlic is a perennial bulb in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) that produces more cloves than its counterpart hardneck garlic but is milder in flavor. It also stores longer, up to 12 months.
Softnecks don't have the cold requirements of the hardnecks and do better in warmer climates. There are 2 types of Softneck Garlic, Silverskin and Artichoke. The Artichoke types are generally larger with 12-25 cloves and mature earlier than Silverskin types. Most Softneck varieties do not flower.
Plant individual cloves in NC from late Oct. to Nov. and possibly through December in the more southern areas for a May to June harvest time. It needs at least 4-6 weeks to get established before the ground freezes. Space 6-8 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. Plant in loose fertile well-drained soil in full sun and mulch to help prevent weed competition. Cut back on watering before harvest time to prevent bulb rot.
Harvest garlic when about half of the leaves have started turning brown. Garlic needs to cure after harvesting in a warm dry place out of the sun. Once the leaves have completely dried you can remove the leaves, roots and outer wraps. Softnecks can also be braided together for storage.
Garlic is grown both commercially and in the home edible garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Bulb rot can occur in too wet soil. Bulb mites can occur
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- sativum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Middle East Asia
- Edibility:
- Bulbs are edible raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 0 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Perennial
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruit
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Linear flat green leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green round scapes with no leaves
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
