Growing Garlic from Cloves: What You Need to Know

If you’ve harvested garlic and noticed small cloves (often called bulbils) forming on the flower stalk, you might wonder if they can be planted to produce a new crop. The answer is yes—each clove, whether from the main bulb or the small bulbils, can grow into a new garlic plant.

Planting Garlic Cloves

Fall is the ideal time to plant garlic in most regions. Separate the bulb into individual cloves, leaving the papery skin intact. Plant each clove pointy-end up, about 2 inches deep and 4–6 inches apart in well-drained, fertile soil. Mulch heavily with straw or leaves to protect over winter.

What to Expect

Cloves from the main bulb will typically produce a full-sized bulb the following summer. The smaller bulbils (those 1/2–3/4 inch diameter cloves) take longer—usually two years—to develop into a multi-clove bulb. The first year they’ll form a single round “round,” which can be replanted to mature into a standard bulb.

Tips for Success

• Choose a sunny location with loose, organic-rich soil.
• Water consistently but avoid waterlogging.
• Remove any flower scapes that appear to direct energy into bulb development.
• Harvest when the lower leaves turn brown, usually in mid-summer.

For detailed planting guides tailored to your region, consult your local cooperative extension service. With a little patience, those little cloves will reward you with a bountiful garlic harvest.