If you’ve ever wondered how to grow garlic in containers, you’re in for a treat. Garlic is one of the easiest, most satisfying crops to grow—especially in pots! Whether you live in an apartment or simply want a compact kitchen garden, growing garlic in containers is both space-saving and rewarding.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get started, including the right soil, container type, planting tips, and harvesting advice. Plus, we’ll share product recommendations that can boost your garlic-growing success.
🌱 Why Grow Garlic in Containers?
Container gardening has many benefits:
Great for limited spaces (balconies, patios, porches)
Easy to move or reposition for sunlight
Excellent control over soil, drainage, and pests
And when it comes to garlic? You only need a few cloves and some patience to grow an entire year’s worth of bulbs!
🧄 Best Garlic Varieties for Container Growing
Some garlic types do better in pots than others. Here are your best bets:
Softneck Garlic (Allium sativum): More compact, stores longer, ideal for mild climates
Hardneck Garlic (Allium ophioscorodon): Grows well in cooler climates, has fewer but larger cloves
🛒 Try this beginner-friendly kit:
Organic Garlic Bulb Planting Kit – Softneck & Hardneck Mix (Amazon) – Includes prepped cloves and planting guide.
🪴 What Size Container Do You Need?
Garlic needs space to form large bulbs, so choose a container with these specs:
Depth: At least 8–10 inches deep
Width: Minimum 12 inches (can grow 6–8 cloves comfortably)
Material: Terracotta, ceramic, or durable plastic works fine
Drainage: MUST have drainage holes
🛒 Top pick: Classic Terracotta Pot with Drainage Saucer (Amazon)
🌿 Soil Requirements for Garlic
Garlic loves loose, well-drained, and nutrient-rich soil. You can create the perfect mix using:
2 parts potting soil 1 part compost 1 part perlite or coarse sand
🛒 Great option: Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Container Mix
Add a sprinkle of bone meal or an organic bulb fertilizer to give your cloves a head start.
📅 When to Plant Garlic in Containers
The ideal planting time depends on your climate:
Cool climates: Plant in fall (September–November)
Mild/warm climates: Can also be planted in late winter or early spring
Planting in the fall usually yields bigger bulbs after overwintering.
🧄 How to Plant Garlic in Containers (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps to plant your garlic the right way:
Choose large, healthy cloves (avoid grocery store garlic if treated with anti-sprouting agents)
Fill your container with well-prepped soil mix
Plant cloves 2 inches deep, pointy side up
Space cloves 3–5 inches apart
Water thoroughly after planting
🌞 Tip: Place your container in a sunny location that gets 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
💧 Watering & Fertilizing
Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
Water when top 1 inch of soil feels dry
Reduce watering slightly as harvest time approaches
Fertilizing:
Apply organic liquid fertilizer every 3–4 weeks
Use a low-nitrogen, phosphorus-rich formula for root growth
🛒 Recommended fertilizer: Dr. Earth Organic Bulb Food (Amazon)
✂️ Garlic Care: Mulching & Maintenance
Mulch: Add a thin layer of straw or dried leaves to help retain moisture and protect roots
Weeding: Keep the container free of weeds that compete for nutrients
Rotate pot position if one side gets less sunlight
🧄 When & How to Harvest Garlic
You’ll know your garlic is ready to harvest when:
The lower leaves turn yellow or brown
⅓ to ½ of the leaves have dried out
How to harvest:
Gently loosen the soil
Pull garlic out by the base
Brush off excess dirt (do not wash)
Cure in a warm, dry place for 2–3 weeks before storing
🧺 Storing Your Garlic
Once cured, trim roots and stalks and store in:
Mesh bags
Paper bags
Well-ventilated baskets
Keep in a cool, dark, and dry place (avoid the fridge).
✅ Quick Recap: Garlic Container Growing Checklist
✅ Choose the right garlic variety
✅ Use a pot at least 8” deep with drainage
✅ Fill with loose, nutrient-rich soil
✅ Plant 2” deep, pointy side up
✅ Provide 6–8 hrs sunlight daily
✅ Water consistently, don’t overdo it
✅ Harvest when leaves start dying back
🧄 Final Thoughts
Now that you know exactly how to grow garlic in containers, you can enjoy this kitchen essential right from your patio, porch, or windowsill. Garlic doesn’t just flavor your meals—it also adds beauty and purpose to your small-space garden.
So go ahead—grab a few pots, plant your cloves, and get ready for a homegrown garlic harvest you’ll be proud of!