Walk into a supermarket, and "garlic" is just garlic. It’s usually white, imported, and has been sitting in cold storage for months. But step into the world of an Australian home gardener, and you suddenly realise that "garlic" is actually a massive family of different shapes, sizes, and flavours.
If you have been browsing seed catalogues and felt confused by terms like "Hardneck," "Softneck," "Turban," or "Creole," you are not alone.
Choosing the right type is actually more important than how you plant it. Pick the wrong one for your postcode, and you might end up with a single round onion-like bulb instead of a head full of cloves.
Here is the simple guide to the three main families of garlic you can grow in your Aussie patch.
1. Hardneck Garlic (The Flavour Kings)
Best for: Cooler climates (Tasmania, Victoria, Canberra, NSW Southern Highlands). Examples: Monaro Purple, Russian Giant, Purple Stripe, Tasmanian Purple, Glamour, Australian Purple.
Hardneck varieties are the "fancy" garlics of the culinary world. They are genetically closer to wild garlic and are famous for their complex, spicy, and rich flavours.
How to spot them: They grow a central, woody stalk that runs right down the middle of the bulb. In late spring, this stalk shoots up and tries to flower, this curling flower stem is called a "scape." (Hot tip: Snap the scapes off and stir-fry them; they are delicious).
The Pros:
- Incredible Flavour: They range from hot and spicy to sweet and nutty.
- Easy Peeling: The skin usually slips off easily.
- The Scape: You get a bonus harvest of edible flower stalks before the bulb is ready.
The Cons:
- Short Storage: They generally only last 4-6 months before they start to shrivel or sprout.
- Climate Fussy: Most hardnecks need a proper cold winter (vernalisation) to trigger the bulb to split into cloves. If you grow these in Brisbane without chilling them in the fridge first, you will likely fail.
The Exception: Creole and Turban varieties are technically hardnecks (or weakly bolting hardnecks) that actually tolerate warmer weather quite well. Creoles are the "unicorns" of the garlic world, they have the bold flavour of a hardneck but store for a long time like a softneck.
2. Softneck Garlic (The Storage Heroes)
Best for: Warmer climates (Queensland, Coastal NSW, WA) but grows well almost anywhere. Examples: Australian White, Early Italian Purple, Silverskin, Artichoke.
This is the type you are most likely to find in the grocery store because it is tough, reliable, and lasts ages. As the name suggests, the neck of the bulb is soft and pliable because it doesn't grow a woody central flower stalk.
How to spot them: The stem stays soft right until harvest, which means these are the varieties you use to make those beautiful braided garlic ropes hanging in Italian delis. Inside the bulb, you will often find multiple layers of cloves, big ones on the outside and smaller ones in the middle.
The Pros:
- Long Storage: Kept in a cool, dry spot, these can last 9–12 months. You can be eating your own garlic year-round.
- Heat Tolerant: They don't need a freezing cold winter to form bulbs, making them perfect for Northern NSW and Queensland.
- Braiding: The only type you can braid.
The Cons:
- Harder to Peel: The skin is tighter (which is why they store so well).
- Milder Flavour: Generally less spicy than hardnecks, though fresh homegrown softneck still beats imported garlic any day.
3. Elephant Garlic (The Gentle Giant)
Best for: All climates.
Let’s be honest! Elephant Garlic is technically an impostor. It is actually a member of the Leek family, not a true garlic. However, it looks like garlic on steroids, with bulbs that can grow to the size of a grapefruit.
The Flavour: Because it’s a leek relative, the flavour is much milder and sweeter than true garlic. It sits somewhere between an onion and garlic.
Why grow it? It is perfect for roasting whole. The massive cloves become creamy and sweet in the oven, perfect for spreading on crusty sourdough. It’s also incredibly fun to grow because the plants are huge.
Summary: Which One Should I Choose?
- I live in a hot/humid area (Brisbane/Darwin): Go for Softnecks (like Italian Purple) or Turbans. Avoid traditional Hardnecks unless you have a spare fridge to chill them in for weeks before planting.
- I live in a cold area (Hobart/Ballarat): You can grow anything, but you have the unique advantage of growing the best Hardnecks (like Purple Stripe) which struggle elsewhere.
- I want to braid my garlic: You need a Softneck.
- I want garlic that lasts in the pantry all year: You need a Softneck (or a Creole).
- I want the best tasting garlic imaginable: Go for a Hardneck.
Ready to start your garlic patch? Check out our full range of Garlic Bulbs here.