If you’ve ever asked yourself, can I grow garlic from supermarket bulbs? — the answer is yes! Growing garlic from cloves, whether from supermarket bulbs or organic ones, is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy fresh, homegrown garlic right from your own garden or even pots.
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That said, if possible, look for organic garlic bulbs at the supermarket or garden centres. Some supermarket garlic is treated with sprays designed to prevent sprouting — which, of course, is the whole point of planting! Choosing untreated or organic bulbs gives your garlic the best chance to sprout and grow strong.
Garlic clove before sprouting, then after just four days on the windowsill sitting in a tray of water
One note of caution: supermarket garlic isn’t always certified disease-free. Viruses or fungal issues like white rot and rust can be introduced to your garden through untreated cloves. If you’re planting in soil you plan to use long-term, consider starting with certified seed garlic from a reputable grower to avoid problems down the track.
How I Start Garlic from Cloves
Here’s my easy, hands-on approach:
I gently break the garlic bulb apart into individual cloves, making sure to keep the papery skins on each clove.
Then, I place them in a container lined with a damp paper towel and a shallow few millimetres of water
Leave on a sunny windowsill and within a few days they will start to sprout!
Garlic cloves left in a shallow tray of water will start to sprout within a few days
Keeping that paper towel moist is the key to success. This moisture encourages the cloves to sprout within just a few days.
Once I see those green shoots pushing through, I either plant the cloves directly into my garden soil or pop them into containers filled with good-quality potting mix. From there, it’s all about watering and letting nature do its thing.
Tip: If you don’t want to pre-sprout, you can plant garlic cloves straight into the soil — they’ll still grow just fine. But pre-sprouting gives them a jump start, especially in cooler climates.
When’s the Best Time to Plant Garlic?
Garlic can be planted either in fall/autumn or early spring, but it really thrives when it gets a good cold spell — much like tulip bulbs. This chill time is important because it helps the garlic form proper cloves underground. Without this cooler period, your garlic might grow into a bulb that looks more like an onion and won’t split into the tasty cloves we expect.
If you’re planting in early spring and didn’t get a cold winter, you can simulate that chilling period by placing your garlic cloves in the fridge for 6–8 weeks before planting. This helps trigger the clove-splitting process and improves your final harvest.
How to Plant Garlic Cloves in the Soil Without Pre-Sprouting
Here’s how I plant my garlic in fall if I choose to plant them directly in the soil and don’t pre sprout them:
I pick a sunny spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. Garlic loves sun, and it needs plenty to grow well.
Since garlic takes several months to grow, I make sure the spot won’t be disturbed.
I prepare the soil with compost or aged manure to boost nutrients and improve drainage, especially if the soil is heavy.
I dig a trench about 10 to 15 cm deep (shallower in warm climates, deeper if your winters are cold).
I gently separate the bulb into individual cloves, keeping their papery skins intact, and plant only the biggest ones. (I cook with the smaller ones.)
I place each clove pointy side up, spacing them 15 to 20 cm apart.
Once planted, I cover them with soil and mulch heavily with straw or leaf matter.
🌱 Tip: Birds sometimes pull out freshly planted garlic shoots! I cover my bed with netting or mesh until the shoots are well established.
Chicken wire or bird netting is a great way to keep birds from scratching up your newly planted garlic bulbs
Which Garlic Should You Plant?
You might wonder, can I grow garlic from supermarket bulbs? Many people hesitate because supermarket garlic is often treated or stored in ways that affect sprouting. In my experience, most supermarket cloves will sprout just fine using the moist paper towel pre-sprouting method — especially if they’re organic or untreated.
There are two main types of garlic:
Hardneck garlic: Grows well in colder climates, produces fewer but larger cloves, and sends up a flower stalk (called a scape).
Softneck garlic: More common in supermarkets, stores longer, and suits milder climates.
If you’re growing hardneck garlic, remember to remove the scapes (those curling green shoots that come up in late spring). Snapping them off helps the plant focus its energy on growing bigger bulbs.
Growing Green Garlic Indoors — No Garden Needed
If you don’t have outdoor space, growing green garlic indoors is a great option for growing vegetables indoors.
After your cloves have sprouted on the windowsill, plant them in pots with good-quality potting mix. Keep them by a sunny window and water regularly. It won’t form full bulbs but you’ll get tasty garlic greens all year round. You can harvest the tender green shoots, which taste like a mild garlic, throughout the year.
It’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh garlic flavour even if all you have is a sunny kitchen bench.
Harvesting and Storing Your Garlic
Garlic takes around 8 months to mature. I plant mine in late fall and harvest the following summer, once the lower leaves begin to yellow and die back.
To harvest, gently loosen the soil around the bulb and lift it out — don’t yank or you might damage the garlic. Shake off excess soil, and hang your bulbs in a cool, dry, and airy place to cure for two to three weeks.
Once cured, trim the roots and stalks, and store your garlic in a mesh bag or basket in a cool, dark cupboard. Properly cured garlic can last you months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I have to pre-sprout garlic cloves before planting?
No, you don’t have to pre-sprout garlic cloves before planting, you can plant them directly into the soil. But if you want to speed up germination or get a head start in tricky weather, pre-sprouting them on a damp paper towel can help.
Can I grow garlic from supermarket bulbs?
Yes, you can grow garlic from supermarket bulbs, especially if they’re organic and untreated. Just be aware that they may not be disease-free, so avoid planting them in garden beds you rely on long-term.
How long does garlic take to grow?
Garlic takes about 7–8 months from planting to harvest. Fall-planted garlic is usually ready by early to mid-summer.
How do I know when garlic is ready to harvest?
To know when your garlic is ready to harvest, look for the lower leaves to yellow and dry, but keep the top leaves green. That balance means the bulbs are mature but not overdone.
Can I grow garlic indoors?
Yes! You can grow green garlic on a sunny windowsill using sprouted cloves in pots. It won’t form full bulbs but you’ll get tasty garlic greens all year round.
Should I remove the flower stalks (scapes)?
If you’re growing hardneck garlic, yes – snapping off the scapes helps the plant focus energy on growing a bigger bulb.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Grow Garlic from Supermarket Bulbs!
So, can I grow garlic from supermarket bulbs? Absolutely. By learning how to grow garlic from cloves and giving them a solid start – whether sprouted or straight in the soil – you’ll be on your way to harvesting delicious, homegrown garlic in no time!
Whether you’re working with a big garden or just a sunny windowsill, there’s a way to make garlic growing work for you. Start where you are, plant what you’ve got, and enjoy the flavour of garlic you grew yourself.
About the Author
Elle Reed is a passionate gardener and advocate for teaching beginner gardeners how to grow their own food. Elle’s mission is to inspire and empower people to get back to basics, grow their own produce, and embrace a sustainable lifestyle. “Whether it’s a few herb pots in an apartment, a potager or a full garden plot, we can all ‘start somewhere’ to grow our own food, and in doing so, provide healthier food for ourselves and those we love”.
