Where to Get Garlic in Oblivion: Complete Locations Guide

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, you can reliably find garlic at multiple locations including Cheydinhal Castle gardens, Bravil Castle gardens, Skingrad Castle gardens, Chorrol Castle gardens, and various farms across Cyrodiil. Grocers and alchemists in major cities also commonly sell garlic for alchemy crafting.

Garlic serves as a crucial alchemical ingredient in Oblivion, essential for creating potions that boost attributes like strength and endurance. Whether you're just starting your journey or advancing through Cyrodiil's wilderness, knowing exactly where to find this versatile herb saves valuable time and enhances your crafting capabilities. This guide provides precise locations organized by your progression path through the game.

Immediate Garlic Sources in Major Cities

When beginning your adventure, these urban locations offer the most accessible garlic without requiring extensive travel:

City	Location Type	Specific Spot	Quantity Available
Cheydinhal	Castle Gardens	Northeast garden near castle entrance	3-5 plants
Bravil	Castle Gardens	West garden behind castle walls	4-6 plants
Skingrad	Grocer	Valus Odiil's shop in Market District	1-3 available for purchase
Chorrol	Alchemist	Enthir's shop at Great Chapel of Julianos	2-4 available for purchase

These city-based sources provide immediate access to garlic during your early gameplay. Castle gardens typically respawn garlic after 48 in-game hours, while merchants restock their inventory every 48 hours. For quick replenishment during quests, Skingrad's grocer offers the most reliable purchasing option.

Wild Garlic Locations Across Cyrodiil

As you explore Cyrodiil's wilderness, these outdoor locations consistently feature wild garlic growth:

• Farmsteads: Nearly all working farms contain garlic patches, particularly those along the Gold Road between Chorrol and Skingrad
• Riverbanks: Garlic frequently grows along the Niben River, especially between Bravil and the Imperial City
• Ayleid Ruins: Several ruins including Vilverin and Silorn have garlic growing near their entrances
• Abandoned Structures: Check the grounds of derelict buildings like the Anvil Lighthouse for scattered plants

When traveling between major cities, prioritize routes near water sources as garlic appears more frequently in moist environments. The game's procedural generation ensures garlic appears in these locations consistently, though exact quantities vary between playthroughs.

Advanced Garlic Collection Strategies

For serious alchemists seeking maximum efficiency, these specialized approaches yield the best results:

Optimal Farming Routes

Follow this sequence for efficient garlic collection: Start at Cheydinhal Castle gardens, proceed to the farms along Gold Road toward Chorrol, then continue to Skingrad's merchant district. This circular route minimizes backtracking and maximizes yield per journey. Completing this circuit every 48 in-game hours provides a steady supply as locations respawn.

Quest-Related Opportunities

Several quests provide additional garlic access:

• "The Collector" quest rewards multiple alchemical ingredients including garlic
• "A Brotherhood Betrayed" quest allows access to previously locked castle gardens
• "The Main Quest" progression opens restricted areas with additional garlic sources

Practical Collection Tips

Implement these techniques to optimize your garlic gathering:

• Timing matters: Visit locations during daylight hours (6am-6pm) when plants are most visible
• Skill advantage: Higher Sneak skill allows collection without triggering ownership detection
• Storage solution: Keep excess garlic in your owned properties like the Bruma house for safekeeping
• Alchemy synergy: Combine garlic with other common ingredients like lettuce or potatoes for basic potions

Remember that garlic's alchemical properties include Fortify Strength, Restore Health, and Weakness to Poison effects. Prioritize collection when you need specific potion effects rather than gathering indiscriminately. This targeted approach prevents inventory clutter while ensuring you have the right ingredients when needed.

Contextual Limitations to Consider

While garlic appears consistently throughout Oblivion, certain gameplay conditions affect availability:

• Locations don't respawn until you've traveled beyond the county border and returned
• Some castle gardens become inaccessible after specific quest completions
• Merchant inventory varies based on your Mercantile skill level
• Wild plants disappear permanently if you use the "Harvest" animation incorrectly

Can I grow garlic in Oblivion for unlimited supply?

No, Oblivion doesn't feature farming mechanics that allow growing garlic. You must collect it from existing locations or purchase from merchants who restock every 48 in-game hours.

Why can't I find garlic in certain castle gardens?

Some castle gardens become inaccessible after completing specific quests. If you can't find garlic where it previously appeared, check if you've completed quests that alter castle access or speak to guards about restricted areas.

Does higher Alchemy skill increase garlic quantity?

No, Alchemy skill doesn't affect garlic quantity. However, higher Mercantile skill increases merchant stock quantities, making purchased garlic more readily available.

What's the fastest way to get garlic early in the game?

Immediately after leaving the Imperial Prison, head to Cheydinhal Castle gardens (northeast of city). This location is accessible at low levels and contains 3-5 garlic plants without requiring combat or complex navigation.