Photo: "starr-150627-2027-Allium_ampeloprasum_var_ampeloprasum-harvested_bulbs-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui" by Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 2.0

Elephant Garlic · Oversized Allium

Elephant garlic bulbs

Perennial · Amaryllidaceae

Elephant garlic makes huge mild bulbs with a flavor closer to a sweet garlic-leek cross than to a sharp hardneck garlic. It is usually planted in fall for a large early-summer harvest and needs an open, well-drained bed to size properly. It suits gardeners who want impressive bulbs and mild flavor rather than the hottest garlic bite.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

180–240 days

Sun

6+ hours

full sun 6-8 hours

Spacing

6–18 "

Seed Start

0 weeks

before transplant

Container

Yes

3+ gallon pot

Height

0.5–2 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "

Needs Moderate

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–7

Soil Type Loose, stone-free, well-drained soil that lets bulbs or tubers expand evenly.

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: High Drought: Moderate

Common Problems

rot

Cause: Wet or compacted soil damages planting stock and storage organs.

Prevention: Improve drainage and avoid overwatering.

rust-or-leaf-spot

Cause: Foliage diseases build in crowded or humid plantings.

Prevention: Rotate crops, improve airflow, and remove infected debris.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Bone meal

Harvest

Harvest when tops yellow or die back, or when tubers/bulbs reach useful size for the intended use.

Expected Yield 0.5–3 lbs/plant

Storage 90 days — Cure thoroughly, then store cool and dry with airflow.

Sources

seed_catalog Epic Gardening university UF/IFAS Extension Leon County university Utah State University Extension

Elephant garlic bulbs Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Elephant garlic bulbs vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

Ready to grow Elephant Garlic?

Get a personalized planting schedule based on your exact zone with frost dates, task reminders, and feeding plans.

Start Your Garden Plan