Allium 'Hair' Allium vineale 'Hair'

Water

Wild garlic needs to be watered moderately, ensuring the soil is moist but not soggy. Typically, it requires watering once a week, but this may vary depending on climate conditions. During the growing season, in spring and summer, increase the frequency of watering to support growth. Approximately 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation, is sufficient. During the dormant season in late fall and winter, reduce watering as the plant has lower water requirements.

Light

Wild garlic thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable, but planting it in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day will promote healthy growth. However, in particularly hot climates, some afternoon shade can help prevent the leaves from scorching.

Temperature

Wild garlic prefers temperatures within the range of 60°F to 75°F for optimal growth. It can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F and survive short periods of frost, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can damage the plant. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, enduring the varying climate conditions within these zones.

Pruning

Regular pruning of wild garlic is not necessary, but removing spent flower stalks after blooming can help maintain a tidy appearance and prevent self-seeding if desired. Pruning can be done in late spring or early summer following the bloom period. Additionally, cut back any yellowing foliage in the fall to keep the plant healthy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Wild garlic 'Hair' thrives best in well-draining soil with a mix that includes perlite or sand to enhance drainage. It prefers a soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A balance of potting soil, compost, and grit or perlite is ideal to ensure nutrients and proper aeration.

Repotting

Wild garlic 'Hair' does not require frequent repotting and can typically be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it is visibly outgrowing its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Wild garlic 'Hair' prefers moderate humidity levels and can usually tolerate the natural humidity found in most outdoor environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure moderate humidity.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to partial shade with good drainage.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Wild onion 'Hair' begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in favorable conditions of moisture and temperature, typically in spring or fall. The germinated seed develops into a small bulb, which sends up grass-like leaves and establishes a root system. As the plant matures, it forms a distinctive flower stalk with a globe of small flowers and tufts of green growth that resemble hair, giving it its characteristic appearance, usually in early summer. After pollination, often by insects, the flowers produce seed capsules, and the plant may also propagate vegetatively through bulbils formed in the flower head or offsets from the parent bulb. The aerial parts of the plant die back to the ground after seeding, while the bulb enters a period of dormancy, particularly in areas with cold winters. With the return of favorable conditions, the wild onion 'Hair' resumes growth from the bulb, completing the cycle and starting a new generation.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Wild garlic, commonly referred to as Allium vineale 'Hair', is generally propagated through division, which is the most popular and reliable method of propagation for this plant. Division is ideally done in either late summer or early fall, after the foliage has died back, or in the early spring before new growth begins. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump of wild garlic from the ground using a spade, ensuring that the bulbs are intact. Gently separate the bulbs from the mother plant; each bulb should have some roots attached. Replant the bulbs immediately at a spacing of about 4 inches (10 cm) apart to allow for adequate room for growth, and at a depth of around 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) deep. Water the newly planted bulbs well to help establish them. This simple method ensures a high success rate and will produce new plants that are identical to the parent.