Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Wild garlic on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Wild garlic
Allium ursinum, commonly known as wild garlic or bear's garlic, is a bulbous perennial plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, native to the damp woodlands of Europe and Asia. It is characterized by its bright green, lance-shaped leaves and star-shaped white flowers arranged in umbels, emitting a distinctive garlic scent. It is ideal for planting in undergrowth or shady areas of the garden, where it can form dense carpets and offer beautiful spring blooms.
Native range
Europe and temperate Asia
Care tips
This plant prefers partial to full shade and moist, organically rich, well-drained soils. Watering should be regular during its active growth period in spring, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. It does not require excessive fertilization, but a compost application in autumn will benefit its development. A common mistake is attempting to grow it in dry soils or full sun, which will severely limit its growth and flowering.
How to save a dying Wild garlic
- Warning signs
- Yellow, soft, drooping leaves; no flowering; weak or rotting stems at base.
- First aid
- Move to partial shade, reduce watering if soil is wet, improve soil drainage. Inspect bulbs.
- What kills it
- Excessive direct sun and intense heat; waterlogged, poorly drained soil, rotting the bulbs.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if acted upon quickly. It's resilient if growing conditions are corrected in time.