In addition to being considered a true superfood with many health benefits, garlic is an essential ingredient that gives a unique flavor to all our culinary recipes. So imagine if you could enjoy all its benefits without having to buy it every time you shop at the supermarket? Would it be possible to easily sprout garlic at home? Apparently YES… explanation!
To plant garlic , we all know the classic method, you have to have a garden! But what if we told you that we have a much simpler technique? No more worries about weather, soil, mulch and weeds! All you need is a clove of garlic, a glass of water and some sunshine. As you wish !
Is it possible to grow garlic indoors?
You can grow garlic perfectly as a houseplant. It is enough that:
- Your pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom.
- Your plant is in a bright place where it can benefit from the sun’s rays.
- You place your plant in a dry room. Garlic fears excess water and moisture.
However, growing garlic at home can have some disadvantages. And it lies in the slightly different way of growing them indoors. It’s clearly impossible to expect your pods to turn into real bulbs after a few weeks in the ground. Sure, you can harvest garlic leaves instead, which can be chopped raw to toss into salads, garnish soups, add flavor to stir-fries, and enhance the taste of many recipes!
How do you grow garlic in water?
If you live in an apartment or don’t have enough space in your garden to grow garlic, our clever method is a great alternative. Follow the guide to see how to do it:
- Choose the right garlic cloves: This is a necessary step, dear readers! Opt for sprouted pods (those with a small green button on top). Otherwise, you will have to take a whole onion and cut off the pointed end with a knife.
- Prepare your container: Get a clear glass bowl (to track your plant’s germination) that can hold about 250g of water.
- Separate the garlic bulbs into individual cloves: Place each clove (with its skin) against the sides of the container, making sure the pointed or sprouted end is facing up.
- Add Water: Fill your container with lukewarm water, just enough to cover the bottom of your garlic clove. It’s important not to put them under water as they could die!
- Wait a moment: Place your container in a very sunny location for about a week. But don’t forget to replace the water if necessary. If the tips of the pods change color and become brownish, keep your pod out of direct sunlight for 1 or 2 days.
- Harvest garlic sprouts: when the young plants are at least 8 cm high. Cut them with scissors. However, only take the amount you need as they quickly lose their flavor. Also keep in mind that your garlic will definitely not produce any shoots after the first harvest.
- ENJOY IT: With these simple steps you can now enjoy your garlic for your cooking needs!
Here is a video that will guide you step by step: