Wish you could grow garlic faster and without fuss? Good news—you can. There’s a little-known method that speeds things up and keeps your garlic supply going year-round. It’s cheap, beginner-friendly, and shockingly effective.
Yep, we’re talking about water rooting garlic. Instead of planting cloves directly in the soil and waiting weeks to see signs of life, this method jumpstarts the rooting process in just a few days. Let’s dive into how it works, why it’s so powerful, and how you can do it right at home—even on your kitchen counter.
Why Root Garlic in Water?
If you’ve ever stuck garlic cloves in dirt and waited…and waited…you know it takes a while. Water rooting gives you a head start. Here’s why it works:
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Faster root development – Most cloves sprout roots in 3–7 days.
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No guesswork – You’ll see which cloves are sprouting before planting them in soil.
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Great for indoor growing – Perfect if you’re short on garden space or want to grow garlic year-round.
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Unlimited supply potential – Once you get going, you can stagger your starts and always have new garlic growing.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need much to get started. In fact, you probably already have everything on hand:
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A few garlic bulbs (organic is best; store-bought often still works)
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A small glass or jar for each bulb
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Toothpicks or a shallow dish (optional, depending on the method)
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Clean, room-temperature water
Step-by-Step: How to Root Garlic in Water
Step 1: Choose the Right Garlic
Start with firm, healthy garlic bulbs. Avoid any that are soft, moldy, or dried out. Organic garlic is best, as conventional bulbs may be treated with anti-sprouting chemicals.
Step 2: Separate the Cloves
Gently pull apart the bulb and select a few large, unpeeled cloves. These tend to produce the strongest roots and shoots.
Step 3: Place Cloves in Water
You’ve got two options here:
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Shallow Dish Method: Place cloves root-side down (pointy side up) in a shallow dish. Add just enough water to cover the base—don’t submerge them fully.
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Toothpick Method: Stick 2–3 toothpicks into each clove and suspend them over a glass of water, so only the bottom touches the water (just like sprouting avocado pits).
💡 Tip: Change the water every 1–2 days to prevent bacteria or mold.
Step 4: Wait for Roots and Sprouts
In a few days, you’ll see tiny white roots emerging from the base and green shoots poking from the top. Once roots are an inch long and the shoot is growing steadily, they’re ready to plant.
Transplanting Your Rooted Garlic
Now that your cloves have rooted, it’s time to move them to soil so they can grow into full garlic bulbs (or harvestable greens).
Where to Plant:
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In a pot with good drainage
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In the garden if the weather allows (spring and fall are best)
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Indoor containers on a sunny windowsill
How to Plant:
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Bury the clove so only the green shoot is visible.
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Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
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Garlic loves sun, so place it where it’ll get 6+ hours of light daily.
Harvesting Your Garlic
Depending on the time of year and whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, you’ll harvest green garlic (tender shoots) within weeks or wait several months for full bulbs.
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For greens: Start snipping when shoots are 6–8 inches tall.
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For bulbs: Wait 3–6 months until leaves begin to yellow and dry.
How to Keep the Cycle Going
Here’s where the magic happens—once you’ve mastered water rooting, you can keep a rotating supply going.
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Every time you buy a bulb, root a few cloves in water.
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Keep staggered batches growing in soil and jars.
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Save the healthiest bulbs you grow for your next round of rooting.
That means no more grocery store garlic runs. Just fresh, homegrown cloves—always within reach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even easy tricks come with a few watch-outs. Here are some quick tips to keep your garlic happy:
❌ Don’t submerge the entire clove—only the root end should touch water.
❌ Don’t forget to change the water—it’s easy to forget, but vital to prevent rot.
❌ Don’t use tiny cloves—they often lack the energy to sprout well.
Final Thoughts
The water rooting method is hands-down one of the easiest gardening hacks out there. It’s fast, fun, and ridiculously satisfying. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just growing herbs on your kitchen windowsill, this garlic trick is worth a try.
Before you know it, you’ll be growing garlic like a pro—with a fresh supply at your fingertips year-round.