Garlic is more than just a kitchen essential — it’s a flavorful, aromatic, and health-boosting plant that deserves a spot in every home garden. Beyond the typical supermarket varieties, garlic comes in a range of types offering different flavors, colors, and growing characteristics. From bold and spicy to mild and mellow, cultivating a variety of garlic plants can elevate your culinary garden and spice up your recipes in delightful ways.
Here’s a list of 9 unique garlic plants to grow for a more diverse, aromatic harvest!
1. Softneck Garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum)
Softneck Garlic is one of the most common and versatile garlic types you’ll find in markets and home gardens. It’s named for its soft, pliable stalk, making it ideal for braiding. This garlic produces multiple layers of cloves per bulb and thrives in mild climates. The flavor is typically mild to medium with good storage potential, lasting up to 9 months when cured properly. Varieties like ‘California Early’ and ‘Inchelium Red’ are especially popular among gardeners and chefs.
2. Hardneck Garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon)
Known for its stiff, central flowering stalk called a “scape,” Hardneck Garlic produces fewer but larger cloves per bulb. It offers a more complex, robust flavor compared to softneck types, with many varieties developing subtle spicy or earthy notes. Hardneck varieties thrive in colder climates and are perfect for gardeners seeking gourmet-grade garlic. The scapes are also edible and can be stir-fried or made into pesto. Popular types include ‘Rocambole’ and ‘Porcelain’ varieties.
3. Elephant Garlic (Allium ampeloprasum)
Despite its name, Elephant Garlic is closer to a leek than true garlic, but it’s highly valued for its enormous bulbs and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Each bulb can weigh up to a pound and contains large, easy-to-peel cloves. This variety is ideal for roasting or slicing raw in salads for a gentle garlicky kick. Elephant garlic is a favorite for gardeners looking to impress with size and yield, and it thrives in well-drained, sunny beds.
4. Creole Garlic
Creole Garlic is prized for its beautiful purple-tinted bulbs and rich, sweet flavor. This hardneck variety performs exceptionally well in warmer climates and offers a milder taste when compared to other hardnecks. It matures later in the season and typically produces medium-sized bulbs with strong, reliable flavors that improve with curing. Varieties like ‘Ajo Rojo’ and ‘Pescadero Red’ are known for their striking appearance and culinary versatility.
5. Asiatic Garlic
Asiatic Garlic stands out for its early maturity and bold, spicy flavor. The bulbs often feature purple or red-streaked skins with large cloves arranged in a single circle. Asiatic varieties mature quickly, often ready to harvest by mid-summer, making them a great choice for gardeners eager for an early garlic harvest. Some well-known types include ‘Asian Tempest’ and ‘Pyongyang.’ These garlic plants are excellent for pickling, roasting, and adding a zesty punch to dishes.
6. Turban Garlic
Named for the turban-like shape of its bulb wrappers, Turban Garlic is a unique early-maturing hardneck variety. It typically features vivid purple stripes and a bold, slightly hot flavor. Turban garlic thrives in a variety of climates and is among the first to be harvested each season. Its cloves are large and easy to peel, making it a favorite in both kitchens and farmers’ markets. Varieties like ‘Shilla’ and ‘Red Janice’ are particularly sought after for their beauty and flavor.
7. Artichoke Garlic
Artichoke Garlic is a softneck variety known for its large, multi-layered bulbs and mild, approachable flavor. It gets its name from the overlapping layers of cloves, similar to the structure of an artichoke. This garlic stores well and adapts easily to different growing conditions, making it a staple in home gardens. Varieties like ‘California Late’ and ‘Red Toch’ are favored for their consistent yields and balanced, slightly sweet flavor that suits a range of dishes.
8. Silverskin Garlic
One of the longest-storing garlic types, Silverskin Garlic is a softneck variety that can last up to a year when cured properly. It produces tightly packed bulbs with a smooth, mild to moderately hot flavor. Silverskin varieties are especially popular for making garlic braids and are incredibly adaptable, growing well in both cold and warm regions. Popular types include ‘Nootka Rose’ and ‘Silver Rose,’ known for their elegant appearance and excellent storage capabilities.
9. Middle Eastern Garlic
Rare and flavorful, Middle Eastern Garlic varieties typically feature rich purple hues and offer a bold, complex flavor profile. These types are well-suited to hot, dry climates and mature slightly earlier than many hardneck varieties. They’re particularly popular in Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine for their ability to hold their strong flavor even after roasting. Gardeners appreciate their striking appearance and potent taste in homemade spice blends and roasted dishes.
Final Thoughts
Adding a mix of garlic plants to your culinary garden isn’t just about flavor — it’s also about experimenting with textures, heat levels, and visual appeal. From the classic Softneck Garlic to the enormous Elephant Garlic and early-harvesting Turban Garlic, these varieties bring diversity and character to your garden and kitchen. Most garlic types prefer sunny spots, well-drained soil, and a bit of patience, with harvest times ranging from late spring to early summer depending on the variety.
Would you like a planting, care, and harvesting guide for garlic too? I’d be happy to write that next!