Garlic in a pot: how to plant & grow garlic in pots
If you are limited to growing veggies on a balcony or patio, it is possible to grow garlic in a pot or container. Discover more about how to plant and grow garlic in pots.
Used in a variety of dishes and recipes, garlic (Allium sativum) is a key kitchen ingredient. Although garlic is commonly grown in the ground, you can also successfully grow garlic in pots. However, as with growing garlic in a bed, certain growing conditions must be met for your sun-loving garlic to thrive.
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Growing garlic in a pot: when, how and which soil
When planted at the right time and given the optimal growing conditions, garlic tends to grow trouble-free. From the right soil to the best location, we will show you how to ensure the best garlic harvest possible.
Best soil for garlic in pots
Whether you grow garlic in the ground or a pot, garlic prefers a free-draining and nutrient-rich soil in full sun. A well-drained soil is important as heavy soils prone to waterlogging can lead to poor yields and increase the chances of disease. Along with this, a neutral or alkaline soil is best as garlic tends to struggle in acidic soils. You can use a peat-free multi-purpose or vegetable compost when planting garlic in a pot. For example, our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost is not only free draining and peat-free but is also enriched with essential nutrients to help support the garlic’s growth.
Tip: if necessary, you can increase the drainage of your compost by adding 10 to 20% of perlite or sand and mixing thoroughly.
- Perfect for tomatoes & other vegetables such as chillies, courgettes & more
- For strong & healthy plant growth as well as an abundant vegetable harvest
- Peat-free & organic soil: CO2-saving composition
When is the best time to plant garlic?
In general, the best time to plant garlic is in the autumn from October to November, as garlic usually requires a period of low temperatures over the winter for the bulbs to develop. However, you can also plant certain garlic varieties in early spring. If the ground is saturated and wet, you can also start garlic off under cover, but this is rarely necessary when growing garlic in a pot.
How to plant garlic in a pot
As previously mentioned, when growing garlic in a pot good drainage is key and ample holes must be present at the base of any container you use. Along with this, a minimum garlic pot depth of 15cm is advisable to give the roots space to grow.
To plant garlic in a pot:
- Add a 3 – 5cm drainage layer of broken clay pots or gravel to the bottom of the container or pot
- Fill the pot with a suitably free-draining and fertile compost
- Separate the bulb and plant the cloves individually with the skin still on so that the tips are facing up and 2 – 3cm below the surface of the soil
- To give the garlic room to grow, plant up to three cloves in a 15cm diameter pot or six cloves in a 30cm wide pot
- Water the pot thoroughly and place in a sunny spot
Plant care
Along with natural rainfall, you can encourage the garlic bulbs to swell by watering in hot or dry periods. However, avoid overwatering as this may lead to saturated soil and the garlic struggling. Once the bulbs have reached a decent size and the foliage begins to yellow, stop watering to reduce the likelihood of the bulbs rotting.
Garlic is a tough crop and cold hardy. However, if frosts are forecast, wrap your garlic pot with bubble wrap to provide some insulation and move it out of any harsh cold winds. In colder areas and frost pockets, you can also mulch your garlic with a layer of straw to protect the bulbs from freezing.
When grown in a fertile compost, feeding garlic in pots is not usually necessary. However, to give the garlic a boost, apply a high-nitrogen fertiliser in the spring. For example, our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food is high in nitrogen and slow-release, so it will feed the garlic for 2 to 3 months while only requiring one application.
During the summer months, flowers may form on the garlic using up the bulb’s precious energy. Learn more about this and how to collect the garlic seed for future planting in our other article on growing garlic in beds. However, for maximum-size bulbs, it is important to remove the flowers as soon as they begin to form.
- Perfect for a variety of plants in the garden & on the balcony
- Promotes healthy plant growth & an active soil life
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
As a great companion plant, garlic can help ward off garden pests and diseases. Learn more about the best garlic companion plants in our expert article.
