Photo: yelena_antipovaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Lebanese garlic Plant Care
Allium libani Boiss.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its tall, slender stems and clusters of delicate pinkish-purple flowers, this plant originates from the mountains of Lebanon. Plant collectors are drawn to Allium libani for its unique beauty and rarity, making it a coveted addition to any garden or collection.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Lebanese garlic?
Water Lebanese garlic every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Lebanese garlic Native To?
What Is the Lebanese garlic?
Lebanese garlic (Allium libani) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Allium genus. Lebanese garlic is native to the Middle East in Lebanon and Syria. Lebanese garlic is also known as wild onion.
Lebanese garlic displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Lebanese garlic produces spherical clusters of small purple, white, or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lebanese garlic?
Allium libani requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lebanese garlic Need?
Lebanese garlic thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lebanese garlic Prefer?
Allium libani grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Lebanese garlic prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lebanese garlic?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Lebanese garlic to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lebanese garlic?
Feed Lebanese garlic every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lebanese garlic?
Divide and repot every 3-4 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Lebanese garlic?
Lebanese garlic can be propagated through division of bulbs, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to onion plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lebanese garlic Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lebanese garlic?
Lebanese garlic is susceptible to onion thrips, onion maggots. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lebanese garlic Need?
Lebanese garlic grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Lebanese garlic is native to the Middle East in Lebanon and Syria.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Lebanese garlic is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Allium genus — compare its care with other Allium species on PlantoScan.
Allium is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Lebanese garlic thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Allium Species
Other Allium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Allium libani Boiss., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Diagn. Pl. Orient. 13: 26 (1854)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Lebanese garlic is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: yelena_antipova, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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