Like many so-called heirloom or nostalgia plants, society garlic is deservedly becoming more popular. Tulbaghia blooms for a prolonged period with alliumlike flowers high above narrow, strap-shaped leaves. The plant flourishes in open, sun-baked beds in California, Florida and across the South and is grown as a pot plant in the North. It's doubtful anyone would desire a whole bed filled with society garlic, but use it in mixed plantings with perennials and small shrubs, or in rock or xeriscape gardens. The grassy foliage increases each year to form substantial clumps resembling dwarf Agapanthus .
Foliage is evergreen in mild climates.
Thus, one could cook with this plant, then venture out in polite society. Its white-striped leaves are interesting even when plants aren't in bloom. It is more widely grown, though less vigorous than the species. A lesser-known species, T. fragrans , has wider leaves and sweetly scented flowers. The rarer T. natalensis is a pleasing small, white-flowering species, with little green central cups turning to yellow.