How to Grow Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions)

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Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions)

Allium sativum, Allium schoenoprasum, Allium cepa

vegetable

Alliums are a diverse genus of bulbous and herbaceous plants prized for their pungent flavors and natural pest-deterrent properties. Members include garlic, onions, chives, leeks, and scallions, all containing sulfur compounds that repel many garden pests. These cool-season crops are easy to grow, long-storing, and essential in kitchens worldwide.

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German Extra Hardy Rocambole Spanish Roja Music Elephant Garlic Yellow Granex Walla Walla Red Burgundy Cipollini Vidalia

When should you plant Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions) in your zone?

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Example Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions)
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions)
Around Nov 8

≈ 240 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Alliums (Garlic, Chives, Onions) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; chives tolerate partial shade

💧

Water: Moderate and consistent; avoid waterlogging. Water 1-1.5 inches per week. Reduce watering as bulbs mature and soil dries out naturally before harvest.

📏

Spacing: 4-6 inches for garlic cloves and onion sets; 6-12 inches for larger varieties; chives 12 inches apart inches

📅

Days to maturity: Garlic 240-270 days; onions 100-180 days; chives 60-90 days for first harvest

🌱

Planting depth: Garlic cloves 2 inches deep; onion sets 1-2 inches deep; chives transplants at soil level; seeds 0.5 inches deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

compost aged manure perlite for drainage bone meal for phosphorus

Growing Zones

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Zones 3-9 for garlic and onions; chives thrive in zones 2-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

Planting & Root Establishment

2-4 weeks

Cloves, sets, or seeds are planted in autumn (garlic) or spring/autumn (onions). Root systems develop slowly in cool soil.

Plant garlic in October-November for best results. Ensure good soil drainage to prevent rot. Mulch lightly after planting to regulate soil temperature.

Vegetative Growth (Fall & Spring)

3-5 months (depending on variety and season)

Green shoots emerge and leaves develop. Plants establish extensive root systems and build foliage mass.

Provide consistent moisture without waterlogging. Remove weeds regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer or compost in spring. Garlic and onions slow growth in winter dormancy.

Bulb Development (Spring & Early Summer)

4-8 weeks

As day length increases and temperatures warm, energy shifts to bulb expansion. Garlic develops cloves; onions enlarge.

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage bulbing rather than foliage. Stop watering 2-3 weeks before harvest. Remove garlic scapes (flower stems) in late spring to direct energy to bulbs.

Maturation & Dormancy

2-3 weeks

Foliage yellows and dries down. Outer bulb layers papery and protective. Plants enter senescence.

Withhold water entirely. Allow tops to dry naturally on the plant. Do not bend down foliage prematurely—this reduces bulb quality and storage life.

Harvest & Curing

Variable; harvest June-August depending on type and zone

Bulbs are dug when foliage is 75-80% brown. Bulbs are cured in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space to harden skins.

Cure at 65-75°F in shade for 2-4 weeks (garlic) or 1-2 weeks (onions). Trim roots and excess foliage once fully cured. Store in cool, dry conditions.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

tomatoes peppers carrots beets strawberries roses apple trees cabbage broccoli nasturtiums

Avoid planting near:

beans peas lentils sage parsley asparagus

Common Pests

Use row covers over young plants. Remove infested bulbs immediately. Avoid overwatering. Till soil deeply in fall to destroy pupae.
Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days. Use reflective mulches to confuse insects. Remove heavily infested plants.
and (Sclerotium cepivorum)
Plant certified disease-free stock. Ensure excellent drainage. Avoid replanting alliums in same location for 3-4 years. Remove and destroy infected plants.
Maintain adequate humidity. Spray with sulfur dust or insecticidal soap. Store bulbs in cool conditions (40-50°F) to prevent mite reproduction.
and (Ditylenchus dipsaci)
Use nematode-resistant varieties. Solarize soil in summer. Do not compost infested plants. Rotate crops to non-host plants for 2+ years.

Uses

🍳

Flavor enhancer & preservation

Culinary

Garlic, onions, and chives are fundamental aromatics in cuisines worldwide, adding depth and umami. Their sulfur compounds (allicin) also have natural antimicrobial properties useful in food preservation. [source]

💊

Immune support & heart health

Medicinal

Alliums contain compounds that support cardiovascular function, may reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, and have been traditionally used to boost immune response during cold and flu season. [source]

🏠

Natural pest deterrent

Household

The volatile sulfur compounds in alliums repel aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and other garden pests when planted nearby. Garlic spray can be made at home as an organic pesticide. [source]

🎨

Braiding & storage

Craft

Garlic and onions with long dry stems can be braided into attractive strings for kitchen storage and decoration, preserving harvest while adding rustic aesthetic to cooking spaces. [source]

🦋

Pollinator support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower (chives, garlic chives, and occasionally other alliums), these plants produce attractive blooms that attract bees and beneficial insects while providing early-season nectar. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Garlic: Harvest in June-July when lower leaves yellow (usually 10 months after planting). Onions & scallions: Harvest when tops fall over and dry; can pull early for green onions. Chives: Harvest outer leaves first, leaving 2 inches of growth; begins 30-60 days after planting and continues through season. Cure garlic and onions for 2-4 weeks in warm, dry, well-ventilated space before storage.

Fun Facts

🌱 Garlic has been cultivated for over 7,000 years and was fed to ancient Egyptian laborers to increase strength and endurance. It was even used as currency in some medieval European markets.
🌱 The pungent smell of garlic and onions only develops when cells are broken (during cutting or chewing), as the enzyme alliinase converts the odorless compound alliin into the volatile, smelly allicin—a chemical defense mechanism.
🌱 A single garlic bulb can have 4-50+ cloves depending on variety, and each clove planted will become a full bulb in one season, making garlic one of the most efficient crops for seed multiplication.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade

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