Organic Persian Star Garlic (lb)

Organic Persian Star seed garlic traces to garlic collected by John Swenson at a Samarkand, Uzbekistan, bazaar during a 1989 allium expedition. The selection entered North American heirloom circles as a standard Purple Stripe hardneck. It is valued for star-like clove arrangement, richly colored wrappers, balanced spice, and the edible scapes that appear before the mid-summer bulb harvest.

Mix & match savings. This item is eligible for the Garlic Mix & Match discount. Combine eligible seed garlic and shallots to save 10% at 3 pounds, 15% at 10 pounds, or 20% at 30 pounds. The discount is applied automatically in the cart.

Persian Star is a showpiece garlic that earns its name when the pointed cloves form a star-like pattern inside the bulb. Purple-striped wrappers add even more color, so opening the first cured bulb feels like a small reveal. The variety also offers tender scapes and balanced heat, making it useful beyond its looks. It is an especially good pick for growers who enjoy beautiful harvests, seed-saving stories, and side-by-side variety tastings.

The flavor is full but generally more balanced than the fiercest hardnecks, with a pleasant spicy lift when raw and a sweeter, rounded quality after cooking. Use it in pesto, hummus, dressings, and salsa, or roast the cloves for soups, spreads, grains, and vegetables. The attractive cloves are easy to peel and make a beautiful addition to garlic braids, baskets, or a labeled tasting harvest.

When growing Persian Star, choose a sunny site where the fall-planted cloves will experience a meaningful winter chill. Keep weeds from crowding its shallow roots, and water consistently while leaves are building in spring. The curled scapes can come to the kitchen before bulb harvest. Dig around mid-summer once the lower foliage has browned, handle the decorative wrappers gently, and cure the bulbs in a shaded spot with steady airflow.

Variety Details

• Type: Standard Purple Stripe hardneck garlic
• Flavor: Balanced garlic spice with a sweeter cooked finish
• Bulbs & Cloves: Typically 8 or more cloves per bulb; bulb size and count vary with growing conditions
• Appearance: White wrappers striped violet to purple around star-like clove tips
• Planting Time: Fall
• Approximate Harvest: Mid-summer; timing varies by climate and planting date
• Zones & Climate: Zones 3–10; adequate winter chill supports hardneck growth
• Storage: Cure thoroughly, then hold cool, dry, and ventilated
• Something Special: A living link to the 1989 Samarkand garlic-collecting expedition

Compare Garlic Varieties

For planting and variety guidance, visit the Garlic Resource Center, use the Garlic Selector, or browse all Seed Garlic & Shallots. For a side-by-side look at flavor, type, harvest timing, and more, open the downloadable Fall 2026 Garlic Varieties Summary (PDF).