













Garlic Mustard
About Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata, or Garlic Mustard, is an herbaceous, biennial, flowering plant in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family. It is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and Africa. It was introduced to North America as a culinary herb in 1860. It has become invasive in many states in the USA. In the wild, it is often found in damp hedgerows, edges of woods and shady places.
Taxonomy
Alliaria petiolata
Alliaria
Brassicaceae
Brassicales
Also known as
Jack-by-the-hedge, Garlic root, Hedge garlic, Sauce-alone, Jack-in-the-bush, Penny hedge and Poor man's mustard

How to care for Garlic Mustard

How often to water your Garlic Mustard

every 9
Garlic Mustard needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Garlic Mustard in your home

a window
Garlic Mustard may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Garlic Mustard in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Garlic Mustard

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Garlic Mustard after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Garlic Mustard can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!
Water Needs
Garlic Mustard prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Garlic Mustard may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Garlic Mustard does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Garlic Mustard is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.
Growth Pattern
Garlic Mustard is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Garlic Mustard can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Garlic Mustard can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Care Summary for Garlic Mustard
Garlic Mustard
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
