Wild Garlic Seeds. Wild Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) is a fast-growing, bulbous plant that reaches a height of 0.5 m. The leaves are long, narrow, strap-like, slightly fleshy and smell strongly of garlic when bruised. They grow from fat, tuberous roots which spread to form clumps of plants. The pinkish-mauve tubular flowers, clustered into umbels of up to 20 flowers, are held above the leaves on a tall flower stalk, and appear over a long period in summer (January to April). They too smell of garlic when picked. The fruit, triangular capsules, are grouped into a head, and when ripe they split to release the flattened, hard black seeds.
Wild Garlic Culinary Uses
- This attractive plant is ideal for the herb garden, as both the leaves and flowers can be used in salads and other dishes.
- Zulu people use the leaves and flowers as spinach and as a hot, peppery seasoning with meat and potatoes.
Wild Garlic Other Uses
- The smell repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes when crushed on the skin.
- The crushed leaves may be used to discourage moles from the garden (by their strong smell)
- Wild garlic is a very good snake repellent.
Wild Garlic Medicinal Benefits
- The crushed leaves may be used to help cure sinus headaches.
- The fresh bulbs are boiled in water and the decoctions are taken orally to clear up coughs and colds.
- The bulb has been used as a remedy for pulmonary tuberculosis and to destroy intestinal worms.
- Wild garlic may prove to have the same or similar antibacterial and anti-fungal activities as has been scientifically verified for real garlic.
- The leaves are used to treat cancer of the esophagus.
- In Zulu traditional medicine they use the bulb to make an aphrodisiac medicine.
Growing Wild Garlic
Indoor Sowing: Spring.
Direct Sowing: Spring.
- The hard black seeds are best sown in spring in deep seed trays and can be planted out during their second year.
- Once the clumps that have been divided are planted, they should be left undisturbed for as long as possible.
- First flowering can generally be expected in the second or third year.
- Tulbaghia violacea grows very easily in most soils.
- It can be used as an edging plant, along a pathway, and displayed to great advantage in a rockery.
- It can also be mass planted to form a ground-cover in sunny or partially shaded positions.
- It thrives in well-drained soil containing plenty of compost.
Medical Disclaimer
Information is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment offered by healthcare professionals.