Romanian Red, Hardneck, Organic Seed Garlic

Pricing is per pound of seed garlic.

Romanian Red – Organic Hardneck Seed Garlic
Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon

Romanian Red is a bold, high-heat porcelain-type hardneck garlic prized for its large cloves, exceptional storage life, and fiery flavor that holds up well in cooking. It’s a cold-hardy, organic variety that thrives in northern climates and produces beautiful white wrappers with reddish clove skins. Romanian Red is an excellent all-purpose garlic for those who appreciate intensity and long-lasting bulbs.

Key Characteristics

• Powerfully Pungent Flavor
  Romanian Red delivers a potent, sharp heat when raw—ideal for spicy salsas, dressings, and fire cider. Cooking mellows it slightly while preserving its assertive flavor, making it perfect for hearty stews, roasts, and sauces.
• Large Cloves & Porcelain Bulbs
  This variety typically yields 4–6 fat cloves per bulb, making peeling and kitchen prep a breeze. The outer wrappers are satiny white, while the clove skins range from pink to reddish-purple—visually striking and easy to work with.
• Long Storage Life
  Unlike many hardnecks, Romanian Red stores exceptionally well, often lasting 6–8 months when cured and kept in a cool, dry place. This makes it a practical choice for growers seeking year-round garlic in the kitchen.
• Strong Cold Tolerance
  Suited to harsh winters and northern zones, Romanian Red overwinters beautifully and produces dependable yields in spring and summer. It thrives in organic systems and benefits from rich soil and good drainage.
• Scapes for Early Harvest & Pollinator Interest
  Produces edible garlic scapes in late spring, which are a culinary treat and can be harvested to boost bulb size. If left to flower, the umbels attract beneficial insects, especially small native bees and parasitic wasps.

Product Details

• Native Range: Cultivated, not native
• Plant Life Cycle: Perennial (grown as annual)
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium, well-drained
• Mature Height: 18–24 inches
• Bloom Time: Scapes appear in late May to early June; flowers bloom late June to early July if not harvested
• Bloom Color: White to pinkish
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Romanian Red is ideal for homesteaders and permaculturists looking for a garlic with a long storage window and strong culinary presence. Plant individual cloves in fall, mulch for winter protection, and enjoy early-season scapes followed by large bulbs in midsummer.