# How to Divide Elephant Garlic Clumps For Healthier Plants and Bigger Heads

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/how-to-divide-elephant-garlic-clumps-for-healthier-plants-and-bigger-heads/
- Published: 2026-09-14T15:25:29-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum), often mischaracterized 
as garlic, is actually more closely related to leeks. Its bulbs possess mild flavors
and should be eaten either raw or roasted for optimal enjoyment.

Plants thrive best in full sun and require loose, rich organic soil that’s rich 
with nutrients. Conduct a soil test to gauge nutrients and pH levels before planting
your seeds.

## Planting

Garlic should be planted during fall planting season, just as other bulbs like tulips/
daffodils. Planting them then gives their cloves the best chance of germinating 
and strong root development.

Garlic requires well-draining, fertile soil. Cultivation before planting may be 
necessary in dry climates; space cloves 4-6 inches apart with pointed ends facing
upward. A light mulch of straw or compost helps ensure moisture doesn’t become oversaturated
in the soil.

If hardneck garlic varieties produce curly flower stalks in spring and summer, be
sure to cut them before they begin uncurling; this allows plant energy to return
back down into the bulb instead of producing seeds; garlic flowers provide significant
vitamins A & C while adding visual drama in rose or herb gardens.

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is a close relative of leeks (Allium ampeloprasum),
with a milder, sweeter flavour than true garlic (Allium sativum). Easy to grow in
full sunlight with good drainage beds or borders tucked behind mixed borders as 
an attractive companion plant for climbing plants like roses.

## Soil Preparation

Like other alliums, elephant garlic needs good soil conditions to grow successfully.
First have your soil tested to assess its nutrient levels and then amend accordingly;
heavy soils require large amounts of organic material while light ones only require
moderate quantities. Autumn planting provides sufficient time for cloves to develop
before becoming bulbs; spring planting also works well.

Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season, weed as
necessary, and don’t allow weeds to compete for resources with your garlic plants
or they will compete with their growth for resources. As with regular garlic, the
plant produces flower stalks known as “scapes” which draw energy from bulbs; clip
these before they grow too tall as regular garlic bulbs require.

Once the leaves begin to turn yellow, harvest your bulbs. They may need to cure 
for several weeks in a cool, dark location with good air circulation; growers often
braid tops together for ease of curing.

## Watering

Elephant garlic plants thrive best when exposed to direct sunlight and prefer organic-
rich soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH levels. Waterlogged conditions shouldn’t
exist so drain fields and raised beds regularly to keep elephant garlic plants happy.

Sometimes fall planted cloves don’t divide into individual segments as anticipated
and instead form one large onion-like bulb, known as a “round.” You have two options
when this occurs – leave the round in place; they should often become regular heads
in time; or you can replant them; although their bulbs tend to be smaller.

Like regular garlic, elephant garlic produces flower stalks called scapes that divert
energy away from its bulbs, thus diverting energy away from you as you harvest bulbs
for use in pesto sauce or sauteed butter. Scapes can also be eaten if properly harvested
and cut when they begin curling and blooming; they’re edible too! For maximum shelf
life after harvesting and curing – which means spreading bulbs out in single layers
on screens, drying racks or slatted shelves where good air circulation exists – 
is essential.

## Fertilizing

As with other alliums, elephant garlic requires moderate to high nitrogen inputs.
You may apply fertilizers either prior to planting or as top dressing throughout
the growing season – it depends on which soil test results are obtained – with an
ideal pH range between 6-6.5. Before planting organic material such as composted
manure or leaves should also be added into the soil to support plant health and 
bloom.

Mulching is essential in maintaining healthy elephant garlic beds. Elephant garlic
does not compete well with weeds, so its bulbs must remain free from competing vegetation
during its long growing season. A thick layer of mulch – wet or shredded tree leaves,
composted bark, rotten hay or green chop is effective against weeds while helping
plants conserve moisture and conserving water resources.

While elephant garlic will overwinter in harsh climates, fall or spring planting
is the optimal time. A longer growing season allows it to mature before being harvested
in autumn resulting in larger bulbs with decreased incidences of disease.

## Harvesting

As with other alliums, elephant garlic needs full sun and well-draining soil in 
order to flourish. Mild temperatures are preferred; harsh environments can only 
be managed if protected with mulch or barriers such as metal sheets. Also, elephant
garlic bulbs do not tolerate high humidity levels which promote fungal growth and
rot.

Elephant garlic needs eight months from planting to mature into cloves; typically
in its first year it does not flower so as to conserve resources for larger bulbs.

Once your plants begin to appear dry, harvesting begins. Pull the bulbs from the
soil and brush away as much dirt as possible before curing for long-term storage–
this typically takes three to eight weeks in a cool dark place with good air circulation.
Avoid washing the bulbs as this could cause them to rot – 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit
is ideal with humidity levels no higher than 50% for ambient storage conditions;
during curing they develop tough skin that protects them against diseases and rot;
once fully cured they’re ready for use and storage for long term storage if required
for long-term storage purposes.

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