How to Grow Garlic Indoors

Choose a 12-inch container that is at least 10 inches deep. Fill it three-fourths full of organic potting soil. Ensure the container has at least two drainage holes in the bottom. For best results, use organic potting mix that is amended with a blend of compost and specially formulated for use in container gardening. These types of soils will drain excess water away from the garlic roots, preventing root rot.

Incorporate a high-phosphorous fertilizer diluted to half-strength into the container's potting soil.

Break a bulb of garlic into cloves. Leave the skin intact. Insert garlic cloves into the potting soil 1 1/2 inches deep with the pointed end upward. Space the garlic cloves four to five inches apart within the container. Cover the cloves with potting soil. Set the garlic container on top of a plastic tray.

Move the tray and container to a spot indoors that receives full sun, preferably a south-facing window. If you do not have sunny area, place the garlic under grow lights. Set the grow-light timer to stay on for at least 12 hours every day.

Water the garlic until water begins to leak out into the plastic tray. Continue to water the garlic container every other week or when the soil begins to dry out.

Prune the flowers as they appear to allow the growth to go back into the bulb.

Harvest the garlic bulbs when the foliage begins to turn yellow and die back. Use a trowel and gently lift the bulbs out of the container. Place the garlic bulbs onto a screen and leave them to dry at room temperature for up to two weeks.