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How to Grow Elephant Garlic in Your Garden

Introduction

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is often mistaken for true garlic, but it’s actually more closely related to the leek. Despite its name, it produces giant bulbs that look like garlic, with a much milder, sweeter flavour. Each clove can be up to four times the size of regular garlic, making elephant garlic a show-stopping crop for the home garden.

Growing elephant garlic is straightforward, but it does require patience — it has a longer growing season than standard garlic. With the right care, you can enjoy massive bulbs that are perfect for roasting, soups, or adding a subtle garlic flavour to your cooking. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about how to grow elephant garlic in your garden.

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What is Elephant Garlic?

• A member of the Allium family, closely related to leeks.
• Produces large bulbs with 4–6 giant cloves.
• Flavour is mild, sweet, and less pungent than standard garlic.
• Can also produce small “rounds” (single-clove bulbs) if conditions are not perfect.

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Benefits of Growing Elephant Garlic

• Huge bulbs – Impressive harvest for cooking and showing off.
• Mild flavour – Great for people who find garlic too strong.
• Easy to grow – Similar care to garlic or leeks.
• Dual purpose – Bulbs, cloves, and even flowers are edible.

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When to Plant Elephant Garlic

• Autumn (September–November) – Best time for planting in the UK, as cloves benefit from winter chill.
• Spring (February–March) – Possible in milder climates, but bulbs may be smaller.

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Where to Plant Elephant Garlic

• Choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil should be fertile, light, and well-draining.
• Avoid heavy clay soils unless improved with organic matter and grit.

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Preparing Soil for Elephant Garlic

• Dig in well-rotted compost or garden manure before planting.
• Avoid fresh manure, which may cause rot.
• Aim for a soil pH of 6.5–7.0.
• Raised beds or ridges are ideal in wet climates.

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How to Plant Elephant Garlic

Step 1: Break the Bulb

• Separate cloves just before planting.
• Select the largest, healthiest cloves.
• Leave papery skins intact.

Step 2: Planting Depth & Spacing

• Plant cloves 15–20cm apart in rows spaced 30–40cm apart.
• Depth: 10–15cm – deeper than standard garlic due to size.

Step 3: Watering In

• Water lightly after planting to settle the soil.
• Mulch with straw, leaves, or compost to protect over winter.

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Caring for Elephant Garlic

Watering

• Minimal watering needed in autumn and winter.
• In spring and early summer, water regularly during dry spells.
• Stop watering 2 weeks before harvest.

Feeding

• At planting: Add fish, blood & bone or organic fertiliser.
• In spring: Feed with liquid seaweed or tomato feed every 3–4 weeks.

Weeding

• Weed regularly, as elephant garlic has shallow roots.
• Mulching helps suppress weeds naturally.

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Pests and Diseases

Pests

• Birds – May pull up emerging shoots. → Use fleece or netting.
• Slugs/snails – Occasionally nibble young shoots. → Use beer traps or encourage natural predators.

Diseases

• Rust – Orange pustules on leaves. Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage.
• White rot – Soil-borne fungus. Rotate crops and avoid infected soil.
• Downy mildew – Pale patches on leaves in damp conditions. Ensure good spacing and ventilation.

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Elephant Garlic Scapes

Like hardneck garlic, elephant garlic produces flower stalks (scapes).

• Remove scapes as they appear in late spring to encourage bigger bulbs.
• Scapes are edible — perfect for stir-fries, soups, and pesto.

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Harvesting Elephant Garlic

When to Harvest

• July–August for autumn-planted elephant garlic.
• August–September for spring-planted elephant garlic.
• Harvest when lower leaves are yellow but upper leaves are still green.

How to Harvest

• Loosen soil with a fork and gently lift bulbs.
• Avoid pulling directly, which may damage bulbs.

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Curing and Storing Elephant Garlic

• Brush off soil — do not wash bulbs.
• Hang in bunches or place on racks in a dry, airy place for 2–3 weeks.
• Store cured bulbs in mesh bags or braids in a cool, dry pantry.
• Elephant garlic stores for 3–6 months (shorter than softneck garlic).

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Cooking with Elephant Garlic

• Roast whole bulbs for a sweet, mellow flavour.
• Slice into soups, stews, or stir-fries.
• Mash into potatoes or spread on bread.
• Use scapes like spring onions or garlic chives.

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Common Problems with Elephant Garlic

• Bulbs splitting too early → Harvested too late.
• Small single “rounds” → Planting too late or poor growing conditions.
• Yellowing leaves early → Possible overwatering, poor soil, or disease.

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Elephant Garlic Growing Calendar (UK Guide)

• September–November: Plant cloves. Mulch to protect over winter.
• December–February: Minimal care, check for frost heave.
• March–May: Weed, water during dry spells, feed with organic fertiliser.
• June: Remove scapes, water consistently as bulbs swell.
• July–August: Harvest bulbs when lower leaves yellow. Cure and store.

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Conclusion

Elephant garlic is a fantastic crop for gardeners looking to try something different. Its giant bulbs, mild flavour, and versatility in the kitchen make it a rewarding addition to your plot. With good soil preparation, proper spacing, and patient care through its long growing season, you’ll be able to enjoy an impressive harvest that will wow both your kitchen and your dinner guests.

Although it requires more space and time than standard garlic, elephant garlic is well worth growing — and once you taste its sweet, roasted flavour, you’ll see why it’s a favourite among gardeners and chefs alike.

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Top 10 Questions About Growing Elephant Garlic

1. Is elephant garlic the same as regular garlic?
No, it’s more closely related to leeks, but it grows in bulbs like garlic.

2. How big does elephant garlic grow?
Bulbs can be up to 10–15cm across, with huge individual cloves.

3. Does elephant garlic taste strong?
No, it has a mild, sweet flavour compared to regular garlic.

4. Can I grow elephant garlic from supermarket bulbs?
Not recommended. Use certified seed cloves to avoid disease.

5. When do you plant elephant garlic?
Best planted in autumn (September–November), but spring planting is also possible.

6. How long does elephant garlic take to grow?
Around 8–9 months from planting to harvest.

7. Why did my elephant garlic only grow as single bulbs?
This happens if planted too late or in poor growing conditions.

8. Can elephant garlic be grown in pots?
Yes, but pots should be at least 30cm deep with free-draining compost.

9. How long does elephant garlic store?
3–6 months, shorter than standard garlic.

10. Do you need to remove scapes from elephant garlic?
Yes, cutting scapes encourages larger bulbs.

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