🧄 Elephant Garlic: Growing Guide
Elephant Garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 0–29 °C (32–84 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart. Expect 240+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Allium ampeloprasum |
|---|---|
| Category | Root Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–29 °C (32–84 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 240+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Height | 60–100 cm (24–39 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | |||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Aug–Sep · Harvest: Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jul–Aug · Harvest: Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Sep · Harvest: Nov.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Aug–Sep · Harvest: Oct–Nov.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
Mild garlic flavor. Very large cloves. Technically a leek, not garlic.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Elephant Garlic: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Sep–Oct · Harvest: Nov.
Elephant Garlic: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Elephant Garlic: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 8 cm (3.1 in).
Elephant Garlic: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 240+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Elephant Garlic: which plants grow well with it?
Rose, Tomato.
Plan your garden
Add Elephant Garlic to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
Open the free planner →