With over 100 garlic cultivars grown in Australia, how do you pick the right match for your garden and kitchen?
First, check your climate. Some garlic varieties love frosty winters, while others thrive in warmer weather.
Next, think about the flavour! Are you after a fiery kick or a sweeter taste?
This guide explores different garlic groups to help you find the perfect variety to plant and cook.
Let’s get you growing your very own Australian garlic!
Hardneck Vs. Softneck | Hardneck Garlic Varieties | Softneck Garlic Varieties | Best Garlic To Plant By City | Plant Care Tips
Australian Garlic or Imported Options?
Plant Australian garlic for bolder and fresher flavours!
Imported garlic often endures long transport times that can dull its taste.
Many are also treated with chemicals, like growth inhibitors, that are banned in Australia.
Meanwhile, growing Australian garlic at home gives you organic bulbs with a pungent punch!
You can choose from 11 Australian garlic groups, but growers may classify them differently.
If you’re unsure where to start, chat with local gardening pros. They can help you pick (and plant!) the perfect garlic variety for your garden!
Two Main Garlic Types: Hardneck and Softneck
Garlic falls into two main types: hardneck and softneck.
Hardnecks produce scapes — curly flower stalks — about a month before harvest, while softnecks do not.
Hardneck Garlic Varieties in Australia
Hardneck varieties prefer cold climates and elevated areas. They have a shorter shelf life of 5-8 months and vary in bolting strength.
Strong bolters produce tall scapes early, while weak bolters may grow floppy scapes late or not at all.
Scapes are snipped off when they appear to redirect the plants’ energy to growing bigger bulbs.
Asiatic
Type: Hardneck (weak bolter)
Climate: Warm climates with cool winters
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Asiatic garlic, like Spicy Korean Mountain, delivers intense heat perfect for spicy dishes!
Sautéed, it offers a nutty punch. Roasted, its flavour is bolder than Turbans.
Its globe-shaped bulbs have 4-9 large cloves each, with colours ranging from white to purple-striped.
Creole
Type: Hardneck (weak bolter)
Climate: Hot, dry climates
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Creoles stand out among hardnecks for their impressive storage time, lasting a year or more!
Their skin adapts to the climate: creamy and thick in warm areas, delicate and white in cooler ones.
Notable cultivars include Ail de Pays du Gers, Dynamite Purple, French Agenrose, Rojo del Pais Baza, and Spanish Roja.
Glazed Purple Stripe
Type: Hardneck (strong bolter)
Climate: Cold winters with warm springs and hot summers
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW (elevated), SA, TAS, VIC, WA (elevated)
The Glazed Purple Stripe group is best planted in elevated areas and very cold regions. They go dormant in winter and mature in warm springs and summers.
With white to purple skins and brown to purple cloves, they deliver a rich, spicy flavour with medium heat.
Glazed Purple Stripe varieties include Crazy Ugly Betty, Glazed Madjii, and Glazed Vietnamese Mountain.
Marbled Purple Stripe
Type: Hardneck (strong bolter)
Climate: Cold climates with warm summers
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW (elevated), SA, TAS, VIC, WA (elevated or colder areas)
The Marbled Purple Stripe group has 5-8 cloves with easy-to-peel skins and a mellow, rich flavour suitable for any dish.
Its strong, lingering spice is similar to Rocamboles. Cultivars include Acari Marble, Americky Maly, Krasnodar, and Marbled Blush.
Porcelain
Type: Hardneck (strong bolter)
Climate: Cold climates with cool summers
Best Grown In: ACT (elevated), TAS, VIC
The Porcelain garlic group is closely related to Rocamboles, known for its easy-to-peel cloves!
It has only 4-7 cloves per bulb but delivers an intensely hot, strong flavour that softens when sautéed.
Cultivars include Armenian, Borealis, French Ruskie, Georgian Fyre, and German White.
Rocambole
Type: Hardneck (strong bolter)
Climate: Cold climates with cool summers
Best Grown In: ACT (elevated), TAS, VIC
The Rocambole group is a bit fussy—no excess water, please!
Though it doesn’t store as long as other varieties, its deep, nutty flavour is a crowd favourite.
Each bulb has 6-8 cloves wrapped in marbled white skin with purplish patches. Popular varieties include Deerfield Purple, French Red, and Spanish Roja Red.
Standard Purple Stripe
Type: Hardneck (strong bolter)
Climate: Cold winters and warm summers
Best Grown In: ACT (elevated), NSW (elevated), TAS, VIC
The Standard Purple Stripe group packs a complex and peppery hot flavour that pairs well with chilli and spices.
Each bulb has 7-9 cloves and comes in either white or vibrant purple-skinned varieties.
Popular cultivars include Chesnok Red and Dunganski.
Turban
Type: Hardneck (weak bolter)
Climate: Cold winters and warm summers; tolerates some humidity
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW, Southern QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
Originally from Asia, Turban garlic has become a star in European dishes.
Each bulb has 8-14 cloves in a single layer, with skins ranging from creamy to pink and purple.
Notable cultivars include Australian Red Garlic, Flinders Island Purple, Monaro Purple, Tasmanian Purple, and Xian.
Softneck Garlic Varieties in Australia
Softneck varieties thrive in warm climates and store longer (8-12 months) than most hardnecks.
They grow larger bulbs packed with smaller individual cloves.
Artichoke
Type: Softneck (non-bolting)
Climate: Hot, dry summers; adaptable
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW, Southern QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA
The Artichoke group packs 8-32 overlapping cloves arranged like an artichoke! It has a mild flavour when raw but roasts into a sweet, earthy delight.
Artichoke varieties include Australian White, California Early, Italian Late, Italian White, and Kisswani.
Silverskin
Type: Softneck (non-bolting)
Climate: Warm climates with mild winters
Best Grown In: ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, Northern VIC, WA
Silverskin garlic is one of the easiest varieties to grow! It brings a bold and hot flavour when sautéed and is even more intense when raw.
Its bulb skins shine in white, creamy tones or vibrant pink, with 9-25 cloves stacked in three layers.
Silverskin varieties include Fino De Chincko Ajofrin, Manuel Benitee, Rose Du Var, Silver Lady, and Wilde Sally.
Subtropical
Type: Softneck (non-bolting)
Climate: Warm climates with mild winters
Best Grown In: Central WA, Northern NSW, Northern SA, Northern VIC, QLD
Want a quick harvest? Plant subtropical garlic varieties like Glenlarge, Italian Red, and Southern Glen, and harvest after 5-6 months!
Their pink-to-purple bulbs, each with 12-15 cloves, delight with a richly sweet and slightly spicy flavour.
Best Garlic Varieties to Grow by City
Ready to grow your own garlic? Let’s explore the suitable varieties for your city!
Tip: If you’re after a quick spring harvest, early-season varieties mature fast. Mid- and late-season types take longer, typically harvested in summer.
Best garlic to grow in Adelaide
| Early Season | Mid-Season | Late Season |
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Types to Avoid: Porcelain, Rocambole, and Subtropical
Best garlic to grow in Brisbane
| Early Season | Mid-Season |
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Types to Avoid: Creole, Porcelain, Purple Stripe groups, Rocambole, Silverskin
Best garlic to grow in Canberra
| Early Season | Mid-Season | Late Season |
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Type to Avoid: Subtropical
Best garlic to grow in Melbourne
| Early Season | Mid-Season | Late Season |
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Type to Avoid: Subtropical
Best garlic to grow in Perth
| Early Season | Mid-Season | Late Season |
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Types to Avoid: Porcelain and Rocambole
Best garlic to grow in Sydney
| Early Season | Mid-Season | Late Season |
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Types to Avoid: Porcelain and Rocambole
How to Care for Your Garlic Plants
Garlic plants are wonderfully low-maintenance!
Best for autumn planting, they grow well in well-drained soil like sandy loam and 6-8 hours of sunshine.
Keep their soil moist, but not soggy, to prevent fungal diseases.
For a growth boost, add a nitrogen-rich fertiliser every 3-4 weeks.
And don’t skip your organic mulch! It locks in moisture and suppresses weeds, which garlic despises.
Tip: When you’re ready to plant, check out our full guide on growing garlic. It explains everything you need to know — from preparing your garden to harvesting!
FAQs: Garlic Varieties Demystified
Got more garlic questions? Here’s some extra info to help you find the best match for your patch.
Which Australian garlic has the best flavour?
It’s all about personal taste! That said, here are a few Aussie favourites:
Australian Red (Turban): Bold and spicy when raw, mellow when cooked — great for sauces and marinades.
Australian White (Artichoke): Rich flavour with minimal aftertaste, adapts across different recipes.
Italian Pink (Subtropical): Sweet and aromatic with a spicy kick after curing.
Italian White (Artichoke): Ideal for raw garlic products or everyday cooking, as it’s often stocked in supermarkets.
Monaro Purple (Turban): A grocery store staple with warm and medium flavour that works in any cuisine.
Spanish Roja (Creole): A fiery favourite for adding heat to Mexican or Creole dishes.
What is the best Australian garlic to grow?
For warm regions, Artichoke and Subtropical varieties thrive and offer mild to bold flavours.
Cooler climates suit Turban, Creole, Rocambole, and Porcelain types, known for their rich, spicy profiles.
If you’re after versatility, plant Silverskin. They adapt well to various dishes!
How do I tell if my garlic is hardneck or softneck?
Check the stem!
Hardneck varieties have a stiff stalk, or scape, that often produces a flower before harvest.
Softneck garlic, on the other hand, has a flexible stem ideal for braiding and doesn’t grow a scape.
How can you identify different types of garlic?
It’s easy to tell if garlic is hardneck or softneck — just check the stem and look for a scape.
Identifying its specific group, however, can be trickier. Local nurseries or growers who know their garlic inside and out can help!
What is elephant garlic?
Elephant garlic is a bit of a misnomer — it’s actually a type of leek!
It’s known for its massive bulbs and mild, slightly sweet flavour perfect for roasting, baking, or deep-frying.
