Growing garlic doesn’t always require a garden or soil. In fact, with just a few simple materials, you can grow garlic in water right from your kitchen windowsill. As a horticulturist with over a decade of hands-on experience in urban and indoor gardening, I’ve found this method to be not only easy but incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re limited by space or simply want a fun home gardening project, learning how to grow garlic in water is a smart, sustainable choice.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of the process, from choosing the right garlic to maximizing your harvest. I’ll also expand on related tips like using garlic greens in cooking, caring for hydroponic plants, and troubleshooting common mistakes.
Contents
Why Grow Garlic in Water?
Before diving into how to grow garlic in water, let’s look at why you should consider this method:
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Space-saving: Perfect for apartments or small kitchens
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No soil required: Less mess and more control
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Fast results: Garlic greens can sprout in just 5–7 days
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Educational: Great for kids and beginner gardeners
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Aesthetic: Bright green shoots add life to your home
Materials You’ll Need
To grow garlic in water, you’ll need only a few basic items:
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Fresh garlic bulbs (organic works best)
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A clear glass jar or cup
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Toothpicks
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Water (preferably filtered or distilled)
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Sunlight (a bright windowsill or under a grow light)
Optional:
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Hydroponic nutrients (for better growth, especially long-term)
Step-by-Step: How to Grow Garlic in Water
1. Choose the Right Garlic
Start with fresh, firm garlic cloves. Avoid any cloves that are moldy or shriveled. Organic garlic is preferable, as non-organic varieties are often treated with growth inhibitors to prolong shelf life.
Pro tip: If you see cloves that are already sprouting green tips, they’re perfect candidates.
2. Separate and Prep the Cloves
Gently break apart the garlic bulb into individual cloves. Leave the papery skin on, but be careful not to bruise or damage the cloves.
3. Position the Cloves Over Water
Place 3–4 toothpicks around the middle of each clove to suspend it over a glass. Set the clove so that the root end (the flat part) touches the water, while the pointy end faces up.
Add enough water to just cover the bottom of the clove. Avoid submerging the entire clove—this helps prevent rotting.
4. Provide Light and Warmth
Position the glass in a sunny windowsill or under a grow light for 6–8 hours a day. Garlic thrives in warm, well-lit conditions. Avoid placing it near cold drafts or heat vents.
5. Change the Water Regularly
Change the water every 1–2 days to keep it fresh and oxygenated. This step is critical to prevent mold, mildew, and root rot.
Within a few days, you should see green shoots emerging from the top and small white roots forming at the bottom.
Read more How to Grow Leeks in Small Spaces: A Complete Guide for Urban Gardeners
What to Expect: Garlic Greens vs. Garlic Bulbs
One of the most common questions about how to grow garlic in water is: Will I get full garlic bulbs?
The Answer: Not Quite.
When you grow garlic hydroponically (in water), your main harvest is garlic greens, not full bulbs. These greens taste like a milder version of garlic and can be:
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Chopped into salads
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Mixed into scrambled eggs
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Added as a garnish for soups, pasta, and stir-fries
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Blended into herb butters or dips
If you want to grow full garlic bulbs, you’ll eventually need to transplant your garlic into soil or a hydroponic system with nutrient-rich growing mediums.
How Long Does It Take?
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Shoots: 3–7 days
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Harvest garlic greens: 2–3 weeks
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Bulb development (if transplanted to soil): 6–8 months
Tips for Success
1. Use Multiple Cloves
Start several cloves at once to increase your yield and ensure at least a few will sprout successfully.
2. Add Nutrients
If you want to keep the plant healthy longer, especially if you’re growing beyond a few weeks, consider adding hydroponic plant food diluted in water.
3. Don’t Let Cloves Fully Submerge
Only the bottom tip of the clove should touch the water. Full submersion leads to rot.
4. Harvest Strategically
Snip the greens when they’re 6–8 inches tall. Don’t cut more than a third of the shoot at once to allow for regrowth.
Expanding the Concept: Growing Other Herbs in Water
Once you’ve mastered how to grow garlic in water, why not try similar methods with:
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Green onions
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Basil
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Mint
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Lemongrass
These herbs can also thrive in water with minimal effort, making your kitchen a thriving mini-garden.
Common Issues and Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cloves rot or mold | Water not changed often enough | Change water every 1–2 days |
| No sprouting | Old or treated garlic | Use fresh, organic garlic |
| Yellowing greens | Lack of nutrients or light | Move to sunny spot or add plant food |
Final Thoughts
Learning how to grow garlic in water is a simple, enjoyable way to bring fresh flavor and greenery into your home. It’s a perfect project for urban gardeners, busy professionals, or anyone curious about sustainable living. While this method won’t produce full bulbs without soil, the quick-growing garlic greens are delicious, nutritious, and endlessly versatile in your kitchen.
Whether you’re just getting started with indoor gardening or looking to expand your hydroponic skills, mastering how to grow garlic in water is a foundational step with big payoffs.