Black garlic Allium nigrum

Water

For the Black Garlic (Allium nigrum), watering should be done deeply to encourage strong root growth, about once a week, ensuring at least one inch of water is delivered. During the growing season, especially in dry spells, maintain consistent watering, possibly increasing to twice a week. Be cautious not to overwater, as this plant prefers well-drained soil and can be prone to rot in overly moist conditions. In general, supply the Black Garlic with around 0.5 gallons per plant per week, adjusting as necessary due to rainfall or high temperatures.

Light

The Black Garlic (Allium nigrum) thrives best in full sun conditions, which means it should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Planting it in a location where it gets unobstructed sunlight will ensure optimum growth and flower production. Partial shade is tolerable, but full sun is ideal for this plant.

Temperature

The Black Garlic (Allium nigrum) performs well in a temperature range between 50°F and 75°F, which are generally the temperatures experienced in spring through early summer when the plant is actively growing. This plant can survive brief periods of cold down to about 20°F but prefers not to be exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures. The ideal temperature range for growth and flowering is between 55°F and 65°F.

Pruning

Black Garlic (Allium nigrum) requires minimal pruning, mainly to remove spent flower stems after blooming to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent self-seeding, if not desired. Pruning can be conducted right after the flowers fade in late spring or early summer. There's no need for regular pruning except for aesthetic purposes or to remove damaged or diseased foliage.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Black Garlic requires well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter. A mix of garden soil, compost, and gritty material like perlite or sand is ideal. Maintain a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth.

Repotting

Black Garlic bulbs should be planted or divided every 3-4 years to ensure vigorous growth and prevent overcrowding. Repotting is usually done in the fall after the leaves die back.

Humidity & Misting

Black Garlic prefers average outdoor humidity conditions. It does not require unusually high humidity levels and thrives well in the natural fluctuation of outdoor environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright spot, water sparingly, let soil dry out.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

Allium nigrum, commonly known as black garlic, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in fertile, well-drained soil. After germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with narrow, green leaves, characteristic of the Allium genus. As the plant matures, it forms a bulb beneath the soil surface, which stores energy for the following growing season. The plant then produces a tall stem, culminating in an umbel of star-shaped white to pinkish flowers, attracting pollinators for sexual reproduction. After pollination and flowering, seeds are formed and dispersed, while the foliage dies back, and the bulb enters a dormant period to survive adverse conditions. In the subsequent growing season, the bulb can either sprout new foliage to restart the cycle or produce offsets, leading to the growth of new plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring

• The most popular method of propagation for Allium nigrum, commonly known as black garlic, is through division of bulbs. Typically, the best time to propagate black garlic by bulb division is in the fall after the foliage has died back. The process involves gently digging up the bulbs and separating them into individual cloves, taking care not to damage the base where the roots form. Each clove can then be planted immediately in well-drained soil, ideally with the base about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) deep to accommodate root growth and ensure stability. Spacing between the cloves should be about 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. Water the newly planted cloves moderately to encourage root development. With proper care, these cloves will develop into new plants and can be expected to produce flowers the following season.