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Due to the culinary and health wonders it offers, garlic is a well-loved perennial you can grow at home. It is an essential ingredient to many cuisines across the globe, bringing bold flavors to your meals.
Although most grocery stores have limited garlic varieties, planting and harvesting them at home introduces you to the diverse garlic cultivars — all with unique characteristics in aroma, flavor, pungency, and size.
Common Garlic Types
Botanically known as Allium sativum, garlic is a close relative to onion; both having a strong-smelling bulb and flowering stem. Bring a fresh scent to your garden and kitchen with these main types of garlic (and their varieties) you can plant and harvest.
Heirloom and Hybrid Garlic
Heirloom garlic varieties are true to seed without cross-breeding for at least 40 to 50 years. They are excellent for seed saving, as you get the same traits from the parent plant. Examples of heirloom varieties of garlic include Lorz Italian, Polish Softneck, Russian Red, and Spanish Roja. These varieties were passed down from generation to generation, usually in ethnic, family, or religious units in certain geographic areas. However, some gardeners find these types less favorable, because heirloom varieties tend to be more susceptible to disease and pest issues.
Garlic usually suffers from diseases like bacterial soft rot, black mold, Fusarium basal rot, purple blotch, and Stemphylium leaf blight. Watch out for bulb mites, leafminers, nematodes, and thrips as these critters can damage your garlic plant.
To mitigate these problems, agriculturists developed hybrid plant types. Through intentional and manual cross-breeding, hybrid garlic varieties can be improved for better flavor, growth, texture, and yield. Preferred characteristics are put into the resulting hybrid from two garlic varieties. Due to these enhancements, most hybrid garlic varieties are suitable for large scale production and transport. However, there’s no permanent seed line in hybrid varieties.
Hardneck and Softneck Garlic
Garlic can be classified by two major types, which are important to consider before growing your own at home.
Hardneck garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) are characterized by the ability to grow a flowering central stem — or garlic scapes — that gradually become hard and woody. You can enjoy garlic scapes by stir-frying them with other food ingredients such as oil and soy sauce. If you run out of herbs, garlic scapes work well as garnish.
Garlic skin in hardneck varieties tends to be less durable and more papery. They are easier to peel, but have a shorter storage life — approximately 2 to 4 months.
More suitable for braiding, softneck garlic (Allium sativum var. sativum) are non-bolting varieties that lack the growth of scapes. Their soft neck can be cut and braided easily for a nice kitchen decor. Instead of a central stem, softneck garlic has other cloves at its core.
Their skins are relatively thicker than hardneck varieties, boosting their shelf life anywhere between 6 to 8 months. For this reason, softneck garlic varieties are more common in U.S. supermarkets.
Garlic Scape and Spring Garlic
Garlic scapes are common in hardneck varieties, especially during spring. As discussed earlier, these are the flowering stems at the center of the bulbs. If you allow the scapes to flower, it may result in a smaller garlic bulb, so some gardeners opt to cut them before this happens, ensuring a better chance for a bigger bulb. You can prepare garlic scapes with other food ingredients.
On the one hand, spring garlic are young plants that are harvested before maturity. Without fully formed cloves and bulbs, they have the same resemblance to spring onions.
Other Popular Garlic Groupings
Discover more garlic groupings below according to certain characteristics.
Types of Garlic Skin Colors
You might be most familiar with the bright white garlic varieties, but there are also some with purple stripes, giving them a marbled-like appearance.
| Garlic Skin Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| White-Skinned Garlic | Early Italian (Burpee) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Polish Softneck (Territorial Seed Company) Premium Northern White (Territorial Seed Company) Transylvanian (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
| Marbled/Purple-Skinned Garlic | Duganski (Territorial Seed Company) Inchelium Red (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Purple Russian (Territorial Seed Company) Spanish Roja (Territorial Seed Company) Vietnamese Red (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Garlic Flavors
Garlic’s striking flavor is integral to countless recipes. You can relish the classic garlic taste in varying intensities. Some varieties become milder, nuttier, or sweeter when cooked.
| Garlic Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Pungent Garlic | Bavarian Purple (Territorial Seed Company) Italian Late (Territorial Seed Company) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Premium Northern White (Territorial Seed Company) Romanian Red (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Mild Garlic | Elephant (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Inchelium Red (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Silver Rose (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Silver White (Territorial Seed Company) Susanville (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Spicy Garlic | Lorz Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Persian Star (Territorial Seed Company) Rosewood OG (Territorial Seed Company) Uzbekistan (Territorial Seed Company) Vietnamese Red (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Growing Seasons
Hardneck garlic tends to tolerate cold climates of at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, softneck garlic tends to thrive better in mild climates. Some gardeners plant garlic during fall — or a few weeks before the soil freezes — and harvest in late spring to midsummer.
| Garlic Growing Seasons | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Early-Season Garlic | Early Red Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Transylvanian (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
| Mid-Season Garlic | Duganski (Territorial Seed Company) Georgian Fire (Territorial Seed Company) Mount Hood (Territorial Seed Company) Music (Territorial Seed Company) Spanish Roja (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Late-Season Garlic | Elephant (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) German White (Territorial Seed Company) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Silver White (Territorial Seed Company) Western Rose (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Geographic Origins
Many historians often debate the geographic origins of garlic. Some believe it is native to Central Asia, and gradually reached other parts of Asia. Earlier records show that garlic has been used by many ancient civilizations — China, Egypt, India, and Mesopotamia — for medicinal properties.
| Geographic Origins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| European and Mediterranean Garlic | Early Italian (Burpee) Early Red Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Italian Late (Territorial Seed Company) Lorz Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Transylvanian (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
| North American Garlic | Early California (Burpee) Extra Select (Burpee) Inchelium Red (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Silver White (Territorial Seed Company) Susanville (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Asian Garlic | Geisha (Territorial Seed Company) Purple Russian (Territorial Seed Company) Russian Red (Territorial Seed Company) Uzbekistan (Territorial Seed Company) Vietnamese Red (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Culinary Uses
The complex flavor of garlic has subtle differences depending on the variety. Choosing the right garlic type will improve your dishes.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Garlic for Raw Applications | Extra Select (Burpee) Georgian Crystal (Territorial Seed Company) Music (Territorial Seed Company) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Siberian (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Garlic for Baking/Roasting | Chesnok Red (Territorial Seed Company) Lorz Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Persian Star (Territorial Seed Company) Polish Softneck (Territorial Seed Company) Premium Northern White (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Garlic for Stir-Fry | Bavarian Purple (Territorial Seed Company) German White (Territorial Seed Company) Rosewood OG (Territorial Seed Company) Ukrainian Red (Territorial Seed Company) Western Rose (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Garlic for Soups/Stocks | Elephant (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Purple Glazer (Territorial Seed Company) Silver White (Territorial Seed Company) Spanish Roja (Territorial Seed Company) Transylvanian (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Although they are easy to grow and can thrive year-round in warm climates, garlic plants are vulnerable to fungal- and virus-related diseases.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease Resistant Garlic | Georgian Fire (Territorial Seed Company) German White (Territorial Seed Company) Premium Northern White (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Susceptible Garlic | Lorz Italian (Territorial Seed Company) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Spanish Roja (Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
As mentioned in our How-to, garlic requires a well-drained soil to grow. During your plants’ growth, you can supplement them with dried leaves or grass clippings as mulch to conserve soil heat and moisture.
| Preferred Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Container/Greenhouse Garlic | Chesnok Red (Territorial Seed Company) Georgian Crystal (Territorial Seed Company) Nootka Rose (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Romanian Red (Territorial Seed Company) Spanish Roja (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Field Garlic | Bavarian Purple (Territorial Seed Company) Duganski (Territorial Seed Company) Premium Northern White (Territorial Seed Company) Susanville (Territorial Seed Company) Ukrainian Red (Territorial Seed Company) |
Popular Varieties of Hardneck Garlic
Within the hardneck garlic types, varieties can be further grouped into subcategories or classes. Weakly bolting hardneck garlic cultivars include Asiatic, Creole, Middle Eastern, and Turban. Purple Stripe, Glazed Purple stripe, Marbled Purple Stripe, Porcelain, and Rocambole are considered strongly bolting cultivars among hardnecks.
Rocambole Garlic
Suitable to grow under cold temperatures, the Rocambole garlic types have sweeter notes in their bold garlic flavor. If stored properly, these types can last for 3 to 4 months.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russian Red | An heirloom variety, the Russian Red offers a spicier take on the classic garlic flavor. When cooked thoroughly, flavor from this variety gradually becomes sweeter. | Mid-Season | 210 to 270 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Spanish Roja | Known for its deep purple to off-white flaky skins, the Spanish Roja can grow bulbs of 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter. In Northwest Oregon and surrounding regions, this variety is also known as Greek garlic after its introduction. | Mid-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Ukrainian Red | Another spicy garlic to kickstart your appetite. The Ukrainian Red can grow 7 to 10 cloves per bulb. If you opt to cook this variety, expect a milder garlic flavor. | Mid-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Porcelain Garlic
Porcelain garlic varieties tend to have 4 to 6 cloves, covered in dense skin. These cloves can grow in heftier sizes if ideal growing conditions are met.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgian Fire | This cold hardy variety has an intense and hot flavor suitable for salsas and sauces. | Mid-Season | 210 to 270 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Premium Northern White | Originating from northern Germany, the Premium Northern White can resist freezing temperatures and grow large bulbs perfect for baking. | Late-Season | 225 to 240 | Territorial Seed Company |
| Rosewood OG | Ideal for roasting, the Rosewood OG provides plump cloves with a hot kick. | Late-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Purple Stripe Garlic
Purple stripe garlics are characterized by their subtle splashes of purple. These medium-sized varieties can be classified into other subcategories such as Glazed Purple Stripe garlic, and Marbled Purple Stripe garlic.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesnok Red | Producing 6 to 10 cloves per bulb, the Chesnok Red is a cold-hardy variety that retains its strong flavor even after cooking. | Late-Season | 225 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Duganski | Duganski is a great option for cooking due to its strongly pungent flavor. It was initially native to Kazakhstan. | Mid-Season | 210 to 290 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Metechi | Able to withstand cold winters, the Metechi variety offers a remarkably fiery bite melded with the classic garlic flavor. | Mid-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Turban Garlic
This weakly bolting garlic type grows a turban-shaped bulbil.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan | German immigrants first introduced this variety in Washington State. Purplish skin covers its cloves, packed with complex and warm flavor. | Mid-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
Popular Varieties of Softneck Garlic
The most common softneck subcategories are Artichoke and Silverskin varieties. Continue below to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of these garlic types.
Artichoke Garlic
You can distinguish Artichoke varieties from Silverskin varieties with their extended broad leaves, which are usually greener compared to others. Most Artichoke garlic varieties can produce around 12 to 20 cloves.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Red Italian | Suitable for Italian pesto and sauces, the Early Red Italian is a good storage garlic. It originated in Southern Italy. | Early-Season | 90 to 150 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Lorz Italian | A great choice for a garlic confit, the Lorz Italian is well-loved due to its larger cloves and spicy flavor. Its skin is easy to remove, reducing your cooking time. | Mid-Season | 210 to 270 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Polish Softneck | Polish Softneck is a cold hardy variety known for its aromatic spice that tends to remain even after cooking. | Mid-Season | 240 to 270 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Susanville | Susanville is an improved variety of California Early. Although it tastes mild, this variety boasts the familiar garlic flavor we know. | Mid-Season | 210 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Transylvanian | Vampires beware! The buttery texture and warm flavor of the Transylvanian variety are just two of the many things to love about it. This variety has high yielding capacity, ensuring your home is stocked with this kitchen staple. | Early-Season | 210 to 270 days | Territorial Seed Company, Burpee |
Silverskin Garlic
The Silverskin garlic class has silver-white skins, maturing longer than most varieties. If you’re not in a rush to harvest garlic, consider the Silverskin varieties. You can enjoy longer storage life — up to 12 months in some — and a bountiful harvest.
| Variety | Description | Growing Season | Days to Maturity (for Fall/Winter Planting) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nootka Rose | Due to its dense skin, Nootka Rose is an heirloom garlic variety great for storage. Enjoy the powerful taste of garlic with this variety. | Late-Season | 210 to 240 days | True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee |
| Silver Rose | Apart from its mild flavor, the Silver Rose variety can be braided as a kitchen display. This variety is a cold hardy, excellent for planting in both the southern and northern U.S. | Late-Season | 210 to 240 | Territorial Seed Company, Burpee |
| Silver White | If you’re aiming for growing large quantities of garlic, Silver White might be the option for you. This variety can withstand cold and hot temperatures, while having a high yield. | Late-Season | 225 to 240 days | Territorial Seed Company |
FAQ About Types of Garlic
Which garlic type can tolerate cold temperatures during growth?
When planting garlic under colder climates, opt for hardneck garlic varieties. These tend to be more resistant to cold according to the Michigan State University. You can choose between German White garlic or Music garlic if you live in Michigan or the surrounding regions.
In terms of storage, why do softneck types last longer than hardneck types?
Softneck garlic types tend to have tougher skins, which help prolong their storage life. Hardneck garlic varieties, however, have easy-peeling skins that make them more susceptible to deterioration.
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