Honey bees
Nectar value
Medium
Pollen value
Medium
Pollinator plant
Garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Linked agroforestry plant data
Pollinator recipe
Bee value
Who this plant supports
Agroforestry database
Complete plant information
Structure
- Vegetation layer
- Herbaceous, Ground cover
- Size
- Small
- Dimensions
- 1.00 m high × 0.40 m wide
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
Site conditions
- USDA hardiness
- 6-8
- Moisture
- Moist, Wet
- Soil
- Sandy, Loamy, Clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Light
- Shade, Partial shade
Uses
- Edible parts
- Flowers, Leaves, Seed pod
- Functions
- Dye, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
- Edibility
- 3 out of 5
- Medicinal value
- 2 out of 5
Young leaves of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, for example as a vegetable or as a seasoning in prepared dishes. They have a subtle garlic and mustard flavor and are believed to promote digestion. The leaves can be finely chopped and added to salads. They are available early in the year and can be a delightful addition to winter salads. The flowers and young seed pods of this plant can also be eaten raw and have a subtle garlic-like taste.