# Garlic (Allium sativum)

Canonical: https://plantguide.ae/plants/garlic · Updated: 2026-10-29
Source: Plant Guide (https://plantguide.ae/plants/garlic)

Garlic · ثوم  
vegetable · exotic · family Amaryllidaceae · grows 0.4–0.9 m tall, 0.1–0.2 m wide · slow growth  
full sun · moderate water need  
Ratings for Dubai (1–5, 5 is best): heat 2 · salt 3 · drought 2 · shade 1 · ease of care 3  
Sow or plant: Nov–Dec  
Uses: edible, container

## Also known as

- **English:** Cultivated garlic
- **Arabic (العربية):** ثوم
- **Hindi (हिन्दी):** लहसुन (Lahsun)
- **Urdu (اردو):** لہسن (Lehsun)
- **Malayalam (മലയാളം):** വെളുത്തുള്ളി (Veluthulli)
- **Tamil (தமிழ்):** பூண்டு (Poondu)
- **Tagalog:** Bawang
- **Bengali (বাংলা):** রসুন (Roshun)
- **Persian (فارسی):** سیر (Sir)

> **Advisory (caution):** A normal food for people, but the ASPCA lists garlic as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Keep pets away from the bulbs and trimmings.

Plant cloves in November and wait: the Ministry's calendar gives about 180 days, so garlic is lifted in April to May, as Dubai's heat arrives. A narrow crop for raised beds.

## About

Meet garlic, the plant you put in the ground in November and almost forget. A single clove sends up a green blade, then a row of them, and for months the bed looks like nothing much is happening.

Its character is quiet and dependable. It asks for sun, steady water and a bed that drains, takes up a hand's width of space, and then rewards you with a whole bulb for every clove you planted.

What it brings is the satisfaction of a long game. By April the leaves have browned, you lift the bulbs, hang them somewhere airy and shaded, and have garlic you grew yourself, from soil you prepared, for the months ahead.

Garlic is the longest commitment in the winter bed. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment's planting calendar lists it for November and gives 180 days to harvest, which puts the lifting in April to May. UF/IFAS says garlic does not produce seed, so it is propagated by dividing a bulb into cloves and planting those, and that it can be planted from late fall through early winter in Florida. It suggests soft-necked varieties such as 'Artichoke' or 'Creole' for Florida gardens.

NC State Extension gives the working details: loose, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, cloves 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart and 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) deep, and a mulch to hold back weeds. Water and feed regularly, then cut back on watering before harvest, because bulbs rot in soil that is too wet. Removing the flower stem, or scape, makes the bulb larger. Harvest when about half of the leaves have turned brown or dried and bent towards the ground, cure the bulbs somewhere dry and shaded, and then trim and store them in a cool, dry place without refrigerating (NC State, UF/IFAS).

FAO's salinity table gives garlic a yield threshold of about 3.9 dS/m and rates it moderately sensitive, noticeably more forgiving than onion's 1.2 dS/m. Even so, a raised bed of sweet soil and compost is the safer base in Dubai, where the native sand carries too much salt (Dubai Garden Centre, via The National). Garlic is a small, upright plant, so a few rows share a bed with other winter crops.

## Through the year

Garlic is planted as cloves in November, in a sunny raised bed, and then grows quietly all winter with regular watering and feeding. Through the cool months the leaves thicken and the scapes can be removed to help the bulbs. Water is cut back as harvest approaches. The Ministry's 180 days puts the harvest in April to May, when about half the leaves have turned brown and bent over. Lift the bulbs, cure them in a dry, shaded place, trim them and store them cool and dry, well before the average high passes 38°C in May.

| When | What | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nov–Dec | Plant: Plant cloves | Ministry calendar: November. UF/IFAS says late fall to early winter in Florida, so early December cloves are still reasonable. Plant 5–7.5 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart (NC State). |
| Dec–Mar | Feed: Regular water and feed | UF/IFAS: water and fertilise garlic on a regular basis. NC State: cut back on watering before harvest to prevent bulb rot. |
| Apr–May | Harvest: Lift when half the leaves have browned | Ministry calendar: 180 days. UF/IFAS and NC State: harvest when about half of the leaves have dried; cure, then trim and store. |
| May–Jun | Heat stress: Finished by the heat | The Ministry's 180 days puts harvest in April to May, when Dubai's average high climbs from 34°C to 38°C. Lift and cure the bulbs promptly. |

## Care in Dubai

- **Watering in summer:** Not grown through summer in Dubai; bulbs are lifted and cured by May.
- **Watering in winter:** Regular, steady watering from a drip line, easing off before harvest, because NC State says bulb rot occurs in too-wet soils.
- **While establishing:** Water the cloves in after planting and keep the bed evenly moist while roots and leaves establish; UF/IFAS says to water regularly.
- **Soil:** Loose, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun (NC State). In Dubai, use sweet soil and compost in a raised bed rather than the native salty sand.
- **Feeding:** UF/IFAS says to fertilise garlic on a regular basis through the growing season; compost at planting and a light feed each month is enough for a small bed.
- **Pruning:** Remove the flower stem, or scape, when it appears to put more growth into the bulb (NC State). Leave the leaves on until they dry.
- **Planting:** Break the bulb into cloves and plant them in November, 5–7.5 cm deep and 15–20 cm apart (NC State), in full sun. Mulch the bed to hold back weeds.
- **Pests and problems:** Bulb mites; Bulb rot in wet soil
- **Toxicity:** A normal food for people. The ASPCA lists garlic (Allium sativum) as toxic to dogs, cats and horses: the toxic principle is N-propyl disulfide, and signs include vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia), blood in the urine, weakness and a high heart rate. NC State notes it may cause contact dermatitis in some people, so wear gloves when handling. Keep pets away from bulbs and trimmings, and call a vet if one eats any.

## Good and bad

**Pros**
- Grown from cloves, not seed: one clove becomes a whole bulb (UF/IFAS)
- Narrow, upright plants fit raised beds, troughs and the edges of other crops
- FAO threshold about 3.9 dS/m, well above onion's 1.2 dS/m
- Cured bulbs store in a cool, dry place without refrigeration (NC State)

**Cons**
- Slow: about 180 days from planting to harvest (Ministry)
- Bulbs rot in soil that is too wet, so water must be cut back before harvest
- Toxic to dogs, cats and horses if eaten (ASPCA)
- Handling can cause contact dermatitis in some people (NC State)

## Common mistakes

- Choosing the wrong type. UF/IFAS advises soft-necked varieties such as 'Artichoke' or 'Creole' for Florida's warm gardens.
- Planting too late. The Ministry's 180 days to harvest means cloves planted in December reach May, when the average high is 38°C.
- Keeping the bed wet to the end. NC State says bulbs rot in too-wet soils, so cut back on watering before harvest.
- Pulling the bulbs while the leaves are still green. UF/IFAS and NC State say to harvest when about half of the leaves have dried.
- Skipping the cure. After digging, bulbs need to dry, then be trimmed and stored somewhere cool and dry (UF/IFAS, NC State).

## Good to know

- Garlic does not make seed; each clove planted becomes a new bulb (UF/IFAS).
- Hardneck and softneck garlic are two types, and UF/IFAS recommends soft-necked cultivars for Florida's warm gardens.
- FAO's garlic threshold of about 3.9 dS/m is much higher than onion's 1.2 dS/m, but the rating is still moderately sensitive.
- NC State says cured bulbs should be stored cool and dry, but not refrigerated.

## Using it in a garden

Roles: Raised-bed winter crop, Narrow edging row, Long-season filler, Kitchen staple for a rotation

Plant garlic in a sunny raised bed or a deep trough with sweet soil and compost, in rows between faster crops that you clear before April. Because it stays in the bed longest, give it the edge or a dedicated end where the drip line can be eased back before harvest without starving its neighbours. Keep it away from sprinklers and from the salty native sand.

- [Onion](https://plantguide.ae/plants/onion.md): A close relative with the same October to December season, so the two share a bed, a drip line and a feeding routine.
- [Lettuce](https://plantguide.ae/plants/lettuce.md): A quick winter salad crop for the gaps between garlic rows, cleared long before the bulbs are lifted.
- [Carrot](https://plantguide.ae/plants/carrot.md): A slim root crop with the same autumn sowing window that suits the same deep, loose raised bed.
- [Coriander](https://plantguide.ae/plants/coriander.md): A cool-season herb with an October to February window that fills the spaces between garlic rows.

## FAQ

**When should I plant garlic in Dubai?**  
The Ministry's calendar lists November. UF/IFAS says late fall through early winter for Florida gardens.

**How long does garlic take to grow?**  
The Ministry's calendar gives 180 days, so cloves planted in November are ready in April to May.

**How do I know when to harvest garlic?**  
When about half of the leaves have dried and bent towards the ground (UF/IFAS, NC State).

**Should I remove the flower stem?**  
NC State says removing the scape increases the size of the bulb.

**Is garlic safe for pets?**  
No. The ASPCA lists garlic as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, with vomiting and damage to red blood cells among the signs. Keep pets away from the bed and from trimmings.

**Can garlic grow in a pot?**  
A deep pot or trough with well-drained compost-rich soil works. Space cloves 15–20 cm apart and keep it sunny, with steady watering that eases off before harvest.

## Related plants

[Onion](https://plantguide.ae/plants/onion.md) · [Chives](https://plantguide.ae/plants/chives.md) · [Carrot](https://plantguide.ae/plants/carrot.md) · [Lettuce](https://plantguide.ae/plants/lettuce.md) · [Coriander](https://plantguide.ae/plants/coriander.md)

## Photos

![Garlic plants in a garden bed with curled flower stalks, with parsley growing beneath](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Allium_sativum_001.JPG)  
Photo: H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Allium_sativum_001.JPG))

![Two garlic bulbs with loose cloves in front of them](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Garlic_bulbs_and_cloves.jpg)  
Photo: Ivar Leidus / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garlic_bulbs_and_cloves.jpg))

![Three white garlic bulbs against a black background](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Garlic_Bulbs.jpg)  
Photo: JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garlic_Bulbs.jpg))

![A pile of white garlic bulbs from Salem, India](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Garlic_in_Salem.jpg)  
Photo: Thamizhpparithi Maari / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons ([source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garlic_in_Salem.jpg))

## Sources

- [UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment: Dates for Planting Vegetables and Fruits in the UAE](https://moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/56f7a89b/agriculture_calender_page_en.pdf.aspx)
- [FAO: Crop salt tolerance data (Annex 1)](https://www.fao.org/4/y4263e/y4263e0e.htm)
- [The National: Garden frenzy (Dubai Garden Centre advice on soil and sowing dates)](https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/garden-frenzy-1.553767)
- [Wikipedia: Climate of Dubai (1991 to 2020 normals)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Dubai)
- [UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Garlic](https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/garlic/)
- [NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Allium sativum](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/allium-sativum/)
- [ASPCA: Garlic (Allium sativum)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/garlic)
- [Wikipedia: Garlic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic)
- [Arabic Wikipedia: ثوم](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AB%D9%88%D9%85)
- [Hindi Wikipedia: लहसुन](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8)
- [Urdu Wikipedia: لہسن](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%84%DB%81%D8%B3%D9%86)
- [Malayalam Wikipedia: വെളുത്തുള്ളി](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%B5%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B3%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%B3%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B3%E0%B4%BF)
- [Tamil Wikipedia: வெள்ளைப்பூண்டு](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B3%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81)
- [Tagalog Wikipedia: Bawang](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bawang)
- [Bengali Wikipedia: রসুন](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8)
- [Persian Wikipedia: سیر](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B1)