Holly's Homestead — Bulb & Allium
Elephant Garlic
Allium ampeloprasum · Onion family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Perennial bulb, grown as annual from cloves
MATURITY 240–270 days
TYPE Perennial bulb, grown as annual from cloves
MATURITY 240–270 days
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
20–25cm
Depth
8–10cm
01A giant, mild relative of leek
Despite the name, elephant garlic is botanically closer to leek than true garlic — larger cloves, a milder flavour, and it's planted and grown almost identically to regular garlic.
02Planting
Method
Break bulbs into cloves, plant point up, root plate down.
Soil
Loose, well-drained, enriched with compost.
Timing
Plant in autumn — needs a cold period like true garlic.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Water regularly through the growing season; taper off before harvest.
- Remove flower stalks to redirect energy to the bulb.
- Mulch over winter.
- Weed carefully by hand around shallow roots.
04Problems
- White rot — avoid replanting affected ground for years.
- Rust — improve airflow, rotate beds.
- Splitting bulbs — from harvesting too late.
- Onion maggot — use row covers early on.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Lower leaves brown, upper leaves still green.
Method
Loosen soil with a fork before pulling.
Curing
Cure 2–4 weeks in a shaded, airy spot.
Storage
Cool, dark, ventilated. Keeps several months.
Preserving
See Root Cellaring (curing and storing alliums) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
TomatoCarrotRosesAvoid nearby
BeansPeasRotation note
Avoid replanting alliums in the same bed for 3–4 years.
