Wild Garlic
Tulbaghia violacea
INDIGENOUS SA
"It is a garlic for the polite, possessing all the virtues of the root but none of the social vices."
Mrs Beeton(1859) The Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine
If you have a garden, you probably have a clump of Wild Garlic growing somewhere. If not, you will certainly recognise it from shopping centres, complexes, and office gardens, as it is one of our most common South African landscaping plants.
Indigenous to our soil, it has a long and respected history in local traditional medicine. Historically, it was used not just for its physical healing properties but as a protective plant, frequently grown around homesteads to ward off bad luck and unwanted visitors—both physical and spiritual.
THE HERBAL KITCHEN
This is a fantastic kitchen ally because although it smells like garlic, it doesn’t leave you with the dreaded "garlic breath," which is why it’s often called Society Garlic. I love to chop the leaves and add them to salads, veggies, soups, and stews, and the delicate violet flowers make a beautiful, edible garnish for any summer salad. I personally use the whole bulb in the same way as spring onions—they are excellent whether eaten raw in a salad, steamed with vegetables, or tossed into a quick stir-fry.
THE HERBAL APOTHECARY
Wild Garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic and antiseptic. It contains similar sulphur compounds to common garlic, making it a brilliant remedy for respiratory issues like coughs and colds. In traditional practice, it is used to lower fevers and treat intestinal parasites. For the Home Healer, a decoction of the bulbs and leaves can be a very effective way to manage blood pressure and support heart health. It is also quite a gentle digestive aid, known to help with stomach upsets and even persistent hiccups.
THE NATURAL HOME & GARDEN
This is where Wild Garlic really shines as a garden protector. Aphids absolutely dislike it, so if you are growing roses or veggies, planting a few clumps nearby will act as a natural repellent. It is famously used to keep snakes away; when I lived on a smallholding, we planted it around the house and never had a snake come close to the home. While moles aren't fond of the smell either, do remember they are actually great at eating the slugs and snails that would otherwise munch on your plants!
WHY THIS HERB DESERVES A SPOT IN YOUR GARDEN
Wild Garlic is the ultimate "low-fuss, high-reward" plant for any South African garden. It is incredibly waterwise, thrives in the sun, and rewards you with pretty violet flowers for most of the year. It protects your other plants from pests and keeping your home safe from snakes. Yes, it grows quickly and, until now, you may have cursed the huge clumps that form. But, now you know what to do with the excess - Eat It!
RECIPES
From the kitchen to the garden shed, follow these links for step-by-step guides using Wild Garlic
The Herbal Kitchen
UNLOCK THE FULL MASTER GUIDE
For the deep dive—including botanical etymology, ancestral history, and the complete medicinal and functional archive for Wild Garlic—look for the Barefoot Herb Guide here:
Indigenous Volume 1
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"I'm Sharon. I've spent 25 years helping people remember the old ways of healing. (Read More....)
Preserving ancestral plant wisdom for the
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