Plant Details

Tulbaghia violacea

Society Garlic

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Tulbaghia violacea.

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Common names

25 names · 17 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Society Garlic[1]
  • Violet Garlic[1]
Other languages (16)
Dutch
  • Kaapse knoflook
  • Moeraslook
  • Wilde knoflook
French
  • Ail d'ornement
  • Ail violet d'Afrique du Sud[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Estonian
  • lilla kroonlauk[1]
Finnish
  • kuvernöörinkukka[1]
German
  • Knoblauchgras[1]
  • Zimmerknoblauch[1]
Hebrew
  • טולבגיה ורודה (חריפה)[1]
Japanese
  • ルリフタモジ[1]
Pedi
Portuguese
  • alho-social[1]
Russian
  • Тульбагия фиолетовая[1]
Sepedi
  • moeye-ya-naga[1]
  • moeyeyanaga[1]
Slovak
  • tulbágia fialová[1]
Spanish
  • Ajillo[1]
  • Ajo de monte[1]
  • Cebolla africana de monte[1]
Turkish
  • Sosyete Sarımsağı[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Tulbaghia violacea — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Society Garlic — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Cebolla africana de monte — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Ajillo — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • lilla kroonlauk — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • 紫嬌花 — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • konofolo — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Ajo de monte — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Violet Garlic — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • 紫娇花 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Knoblauchgras — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Zimmerknoblauch — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • moeyeyanaga — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • moeye-ya-naga — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Тульбагия фиолетовая — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • טולבגיה ורודה (חריפה) — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Ail violet d'Afrique du Sud — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • alho-social — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • ルリフタモジ — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • Sosyete Sarımsağı — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • kuvernöörinkukka — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.
  • tulbágia fialová — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 179304; Tulbaghia violacea.

General information

Scientific name: Tulbaghia violacea
Accepted name (Kew): Tulbaghia violacea Harv. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Tulbaghia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Society Garlic
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.3–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.3–0.61 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Evergreen
Growth habit: Arching, Clumping, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Flowers, Leaves, Root
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Ground cover, Fragrant

Description

The leaves and stems of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a subtle garlic flavor. They can be used to season soups and salads, as an alternative to chives and garlic. The flowers are edible, both raw and cooked. They are excellent for salads, as a garnish, or as a flavor enhancer in hot dishes. These flowers have a beautiful appearance and provide a sweet, onion-like warmth when eaten.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 770441; name ID 289396; Tulbaghia L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 233897; name ID 289698; Tulbaghia violacea Harv..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Tulbaghia violacea

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1445733, ID 59KTR: Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Tulbaghia violacea — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .