Garlic clove germination experiment. Image 2 of 3. The clove of garlic (Allium sativum) has been impaled on a pin and suspended with its root tip in a test tube of water. Left exposed to air and light, and at a suitable range of temperatures, the clove (which is the seed of the plant) has germinated and started to grow roots (white). The next stage in the growth of a new garlic plant will be the emergence of leaf shoot from the other end of the clove. The stages of the germination and growth process can be seen in images B787/634 to B787/636.