Serpent Garlic Allium sativum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Serpent Garlic:
- Phonetic Spelling
- AL-ee-um sa-TEE-vum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Garlic is a member of the onion family native to Asia. Its bulbs are highly edible and it is a popular vegetable garden plant. It is resistant to browsing by deer and black walnut.
Plant cloves in NC from late Oct. to Nov. and possible through Dec 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. The flower stem (scape) if produced should be removed and is edible raw or cooked.
Harvest garlic when about half of the leaves have started turning brown. Garlic needs to cure after digging in a warm dry place out of the sun. Once the leaves have completely dried you can remove the leaves, roots and outer wraps and store in a dry cool area but do not refrigerate.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant may cause contact dermatitis in some people. Wear gloves when handling.
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:
- 'Music', var. ophioscorodon, var. sativum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Music', var. ophioscorodon, var. sativum
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Allium
- Species:
- sativum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia and Iran
- Edibility:
- Flowers have a mildly bitter flavor and like young leaves can be eaten in small quantities raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in tea and soups. The bulbs are eaten raw or cooked and used to flavor many dishes. 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. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Cool Season Vegetable
- Edible
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule on top of the flowering stalk. Splits open when ripe.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- 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:
- Long, thin and grass-like. Brighter green than other cultivated alliums.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Naked green scape
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
