Garlic is easy to grow for culinary purposes and as a companion plant that repels garden pests from nearby plants, such as aphids, ants, and spider mites. There are two main types of garlic: softneck and hardneck. The term “neck” refers to the stalk or stem, meaning soft stem or hard stem garlic. Each offers pros and cons for growing them in your garden. Here's what you should know about the different types of garlic to decide which one is best for you.

Softneck Garlic

Softneck garlic is more common than hardneck and is typically found at the grocery store. Softneck garlic can be stored for longer periods, often up to 12 months. It stores well because the bulbs are dense, and the skin of each clove is wrapped tightly, preserving moisture and preventing diseases.

Compared to hardnecks, the peel often has a papery texture that can be difficult to remove. The cloves are small, so you’ll find numerous cloves in each garlic head. The flavor is mild, making them suitable for most recipes.

You can plant softnecks in your garden in both fall and spring. If you opt for spring planting, you’ll have a later harvest. Softneck garlic does better in warmer climates with mild winters and hot summer days. It also matures faster than hardneck types of garlic. 

A list of popular softneck garlic varieties includes:

California Early

California Early is a cultivar created for the California garlic industry. It is adaptable to many climates and regions and has a mild flavor. Bulbs store for about six months, and each bulb typically has around six big cloves.  

California Late

California Late, as the name implies, is harvested later than California Early. With a classic garlic flavor, this variety is hotter, although the flavor mellows when roasted. This garlic bulb usually has around 12-16 cloves and can typically be stored for up to 12 months.

Early Italian

Early Italian garlic has a mild, sweet flavor, making it ideal for salads and soups and as a finishing touch to a dish. These bulbs store for up to 10 months. Each bulb produces around 11 cloves. 

Lorz Italian

Lorz Italian garlic hails from Sicily and was brought to the United States by the Lorz family in the 19th century. This garlic has a robust, hot flavor, but it becomes sweet when cooked. This garlic variety does well in the summer heat.

Red Toch

The Red Toch variety is native to the Republic of Georgia and produces purple and white bulbs. An adaptable cultivar, this garlic grows well in northern and southern regions and can handle the summer heat. Red Toch is fabulous for braiding. This variety stores well for around nine months. 

 Hardneck Garlic

Hardneck garlic has bigger cloves and a more robust flavor than softneck garlic. It is more commonly found at farmers markets than at grocery stores. Hardneck garlic produces a central, edible stalk known as a garlic scape, which makes them sought after for sauces and pestos.  

If you grow hardneck garlic in your garden, plant it in the fall for a summer harvest. Hardneck garlic does better in cold climates as it needs to undergo vernalization, which is exposure to cold temperatures for a minimum of 40 days. This is another reason why they’re planted in the fall. 

A list of popular hardneck garlic varieties includes:

Rocambole

If you have difficulty peeling garlic cloves, look no further than Rocambole because its cloves are easy to peel. Growing Rocambole requires cold winters, and this variety won't do well in warm temperatures. These also have a shorter storage life, so they’re best enjoyed in early fall.

Chesnok Red

Chesnok Red hails from the Republic of Georgia, and each clove has a purple or reddish hue. This variety is known for its potent flavor and can be stored for a long time. 

German White

German White is a popular variety frequently grown in the United States, so it’s easy to find. It is cold-hardy and disease-resistant, making it a favorite for gardeners and commercial growers to cultivate. German White is also known as German Extra Hardy. The flavor is mild and ideal for cooking, chopping, or grating into a salad.

Persian Star

The Persian Star grows well in most regions in the United States. It is a beautiful garlic that stands out for its red-striped bulb. When roasted or sauteed, the flavor is sweet. This garlic can also be eaten raw in salad dressings since the flavor isn’t overpowering. Each bulb produces up to 12 cloves.  

Purple Stripe

Purple Stripe is ideal for growing in cold regions. It not only stores well, but the flavor develops over time. It is best to enjoy it in the late fall and early winter.  

Porcelain

Porcelain is a versatile variety and a favorite among garlic growers because it’s easy to grow and produces large bulbs and cloves. It can grow in cold climates as well as warmer regions. This variety is named for its porcelain color. The cloves are big, and you can expect four to six cloves in each bulb.

Spanish Roja

Spanish Roja, sometimes called Greek garlic, is a popular hardneck variety known for its flavor and easy-to-peel cloves. This garlic variety has a white bulb with purple splotches, and most of the cloves have a purple hue. A bulb typically has around 11 cloves.

Choosing the Right Type of Garlic

There are so many varieties of garlic to choose from that it can be overwhelming once you start researching the options. One of the best ways to decide is by knowing what grows well in your geographical region. If you live in a cold climate with harsh winters, opt for a hardneck garlic that can handle freezing temperatures. If you live in a region with a mild climate, consider a softneck. In some areas, people can plant both softnecks and hardnecks.        

When to Plant Different Types of Garlic

All types of garlic are usually planted in the fall, but softneck garlic can sometimes be planted in early spring. Depending on your region, you may plant garlic as early as September or as late as November. In cold climates where the ground freezes, garlic must have time to root and establish itself.