You’ve probably been wandering around the Greenhouse, distracted by the sheer detail of the flora, when you realize you’re actually here for a reason. You need Professor Garlick Assignment 1. It’s the gateway to one of the most iconic spells in the wizarding world: Wingardium Leviosa. But honestly, the game doesn't just hand it to you on a silver platter. You’ve gotta get your hands dirty with some magical plants first.
Most players hit a wall here because they think they can just buy the plants and be done with it. That’s not how Mirabel Garlick operates. She wants you to actually use them in the field. Specifically, you’re looking at testing out a Venomous Tentacula and a Mandrake. If you’ve played any of the previous Harry Potter games or read the books, you know exactly what a Mandrake does to your ears, but in Hogwarts Legacy, it’s a tactical tool.
Where to find the ingredients for Professor Garlick Assignment 1
The easiest way to kick things off is to head straight to Hogsmeade. You’re looking for a shop called Dogweed and Deathcap. It’s a bit out of the way, nestled on the northern edge of town, but it’s the only place that stocks the "combat plants" you need for this specific questline.
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You have two choices here: buy the seeds or buy the fully grown plants.
If you’re in a rush to get Professor Garlick Assignment 1 checked off your list, just buy the items directly. The Venomous Tentacula costs 600 Galleons, and the Mandrake goes for 500. It’s a bit of an investment early in the game, but it saves you the time of waiting for things to grow in the Room of Requirement. If you're playing the long game and want to save money, buy the seeds. Just keep in mind that the Tentacula requires a large pot, which means you’ll need to buy the blueprint for a Large Pot Table from Tomes and Scrolls first. It adds up.
Using the Venomous Tentacula
Once you’ve got that terrifying, snapping green plant in your inventory, you need to use it. You don't even need to be in combat for this part of the assignment. You can literally stand in the middle of a peaceful field, pull up your tool wheel (L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox), select the Venomous Tentacula, and toss it on the ground.
It’ll sprout up and start snapping at the air. That’s it. Task one of Professor Garlick Assignment 1 is basically finished. It feels a bit like cheating, doesn't it? But the game just tracks the "use" action, not whether it actually killed a Goblin or a giant spider.
Mastering the Mandrake
The second part is slightly more specific. You need to use a Mandrake against multiple enemies simultaneously. This requires a tiny bit of setup. Find a small camp of bandits or a pack of wolves in the Forbidden Forest. Let them swarm you. You want at least two or three enemies within a few feet of your character.
Pull out the Mandrake.
The scream will stun them, dealing a bit of damage and leaving them vulnerable. This is the core of Professor Garlick Assignment 1. It’s about learning crowd control. If you only hit one enemy, it might not count, so make sure you’re surrounded before you pull the trigger.
Returning to the Greenhouse
After you’ve successfully caused a botanical ruckus, head back to the Hogwarts Greenhouses. You’ll find Professor Garlick there, likely humming to her plants. She has one of the most cheerful vibes in the whole game, which is a nice break from the gloom of the Keepers' trials.
Attend her Herbology class if you haven't already. After the cutscene, speak to her. She’ll walk you through the wand movements for Wingardium Leviosa.
Why Wingardium Leviosa is actually different this time
In the older games, this spell was just a way to move blocks. In Hogwarts Legacy, it’s actually integrated into your basic Levioso spell. If you Levioso an object and then walk toward it, your character will often automatically transition into Wingardium Leviosa, allowing you to move the object in 3D space with the D-pad. However, having the dedicated spell slot for it makes certain puzzles in the "Highlands" much easier to manage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The Pot Size Trap: People buy Venomous Tentacula seeds and realize they only have small pots. You cannot grow them in small pots. Don't waste your gold on seeds unless you have the 1,000 Galleons ready for the Large Pot spellcraft.
- Missing the "Multiple Enemies" Requirement: If you use the Mandrake on a single scout, the quest log might not update. It’s finicky. Always aim for a group.
- The Daytime Requirement: Sometimes players try to find Garlick at night. She’s usually there, but the quest prompt to "attend class" specifically requires it to be daytime. Use the "Wait" function on your map screen if the Greenhouse is empty.
Honestly, the hardest part of Professor Garlick Assignment 1 is just having the gold. If you’re broke, go sell some of that "Well-Appointed" gear you’ve been hoarding in your inventory. You don't need those green-tier capes anymore.
Getting the Most Out of Combat Plants
Once you've finished the assignment, don't just ignore these plants. The Venomous Tentacula is actually a beast in combat if you invest in the Room of Requirement talents. There is a talent that makes the Tentacula fire shots that break enemy shields. It’s a game-changer for harder difficulties like Hard or the "true" difficulty mods on PC.
The Mandrake, too, becomes a massive AoE (Area of Effect) stun once you upgrade your Herbology skills. It’s not just a school project; it’s a legitimate strategy for clearing out those annoying Ashwinder camps.
Actionable Next Steps
To finish this quest efficiently and get back to exploring, follow this exact sequence:
- Fast travel to Hogsmeade and run North to Dogweed and Deathcap.
- Buy one Mandrake and one Venomous Tentacula (non-seed versions) if you have 1,100 Galleons.
- If you have less than 500 Galleons, go to the Gladrags Wizardwear and sell all your unused gear.
- Step outside the shop, deploy the Tentacula immediately.
- Fast travel to the "East North Hogwarts Region" Floo Flame and find the nearby small bandit camp.
- Run into the middle of the camp and use the Mandrake.
- Return to Professor Garlick during the day to learn your new spell.
Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll be ready for her second assignment, which involves the Chinese Chomping Cabbage—an even more aggressive piece of greenery that basically acts like a homing missile.