Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Also listed as Alliaria officinalis, Alliaria alliaria
Also known as Jack-by-the-hedge, Hedge-garlic, Hedge Mustard
Climate Match for your location
See how well Garlic Mustard grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A biennial invasive plant with heart-shaped leaves and small white four-petaled flowers, commonly found in woodlands and disturbed areas. Its crushed foliage has a distinctive garlic-mustard smell.
Why grow it
Garlic mustard is occasionally used as an edible green in early spring, offering a peppery, garlic-flavored leaf that can be harvested before plants bolt. However, for culinary or nutritional purposes, it does not offer significant advantages over established domesticated greens like arugula or mustard varieties, which are easier to contain and manage. Most university extension services do not recommend intentional cultivation due to its propensity to escape garden settings.
Watch out for
Plants self-seed readily and seedlings emerge prolifically in subsequent seasons, making management labor-intensive if cultivation is attempted. Even careful harvesting may not prevent seed dispersal, and any plant material should be disposed of thoughtfully to avoid accidental propagation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A biennial invasive plant with heart-shaped leaves and small white four-petaled flowers, commonly found in woodlands and disturbed areas. Its crushed foliage has a distinctive garlic-mustard smell.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Garlic Mustard grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Garlic mustard is occasionally used as an edible green in early spring, offering a peppery, garlic-flavored leaf that can be harvested before plants bolt. However, for culinary or nutritional purposes, it does not offer significant advantages over established domesticated greens like arugula or mustard varieties, which are easier to contain and manage. Most university extension services do not recommend intentional cultivation due to its propensity to escape garden settings.
Watch out for
Plants self-seed readily and seedlings emerge prolifically in subsequent seasons, making management labor-intensive if cultivation is attempted. Even careful harvesting may not prevent seed dispersal, and any plant material should be disposed of thoughtfully to avoid accidental propagation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
