Looking for an easy-to-grow herb that adds flavor, flair, and pollinator-friendly blooms to your garden? Say hello to chives—a perennial allium that’s just as happy growing in a container as it is in a raised bed. With their delicate onion-like flavor and charming purple flowers, chives are a favorite among home cooks and organic gardeners alike.
Low-maintenance and highly versatile, chives are a garden staple that return year after year with very little fuss. Let’s dig into how you can grow, harvest, and enjoy these delicious green stalks right in your own backyard.
Why Grow Chives?
Chives are more than just a garnish. Packed with vitamin K, A, and C, along with antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, chives offer both culinary and wellness benefits. They’re also natural pest deterrents, helping to repel aphids, carrot flies, and even Japanese beetles. As an added bonus, their purple pom-pom flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden.
When and Where to Grow Chives
Chives are cool-season perennials, which means they thrive in the spring and fall and go dormant during extreme heat or frost. In most regions, you can plant chives as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
For best results, give your chives:
- Full sun (at least 6 hours a day)
- Well-draining, fertile soil (a neutral to slightly acidic pH around 6.0–7.0 is ideal)
- A dedicated spot or container, since they can slowly spread if left unchecked
Chives do well in garden beds, herb spirals, window boxes, and small patio pots. They’re cold-hardy, too, and will return even after harsh winters if properly mulched.
Choosing Your Chive Variety
There are two main types of chives to grow:
-
Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Thin, tubular leaves with a mild onion flavor. Produces edible purple flowers. -
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
Flat, broad leaves with a garlicky flavor. Flowers are white and also edible.
Both types grow similarly, so choose based on your taste preference or grow both for variety in your kitchen and your garden.
How to Start Chives from Seed
Chives are easy to grow from seed—though you’ll need a little patience at first. Here’s how:
- Start indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last expected frost date.
- Use a seed tray filled with a light, moist seed-starting mix.
- Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep and lightly cover.
- Keep soil moist and place in a warm, bright location (or under a grow light).
- Germination takes about 10–14 days.
Once the seedlings have sprouted and developed a few inches of growth, thin them to allow about 1–2 inches between plants, or transplant into individual pots.
Transplanting Chives Outdoors
Once all danger of frost has passed, and your seedlings are about 4–6 inches tall, you can transplant them outside.
- Space plants about 6–12 inches apart to allow for clump growth.
- Dig in some compost or aged manure before planting to give them a strong start.
- Water thoroughly after planting and mulch lightly to retain moisture.
Chives grow slowly at first, but once established, they’ll form dense clumps and produce reliably every year.
Growing Chives in Containers
Chives are perfect for container gardening! Just make sure your pot:
- Is at least 6 inches deep
- Has good drainage
- Is placed where it can get full sun
Use a high-quality organic potting mix and water regularly, especially during hot or dry spells. Container-grown chives can be brought indoors to keep harvesting through the winter.
Watering and Feeding
Chives prefer consistent moisture, especially during active growth in spring and fall. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and avoid letting the soil become soggy or dry out completely.
Fertilizing isn’t usually necessary if your soil is rich, but a light dose of compost tea or balanced organic fertilizer in early spring can give your chives a nice boost.
Mulching and Maintenance
A thin layer of organic mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings can help suppress weeds and retain moisture—but don’t bury the base of the plant. Chives have shallow roots and appreciate a little protection from extreme weather.
Cutting your chives regularly not only encourages fresh growth but also helps keep them from going to seed too early. If your plant starts to flower and you’re not planning to use the blossoms, snip them off to redirect energy back into leaf production.
Companion Planting with Chives
Chives are incredible garden companions. They help deter pests and improve the flavor and health of nearby crops. Great companions include:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Strawberries
- Roses (they help prevent black spot!)
Avoid planting chives near beans or peas, as alliums can slow their growth.
Common Pests and Problems
Chives are generally pest-resistant, but here are a few potential issues:
- Aphids: Can cluster on new shoots. Knock them off with water or spray with neem oil.
- Rust or downy mildew: Fungal issues in wet or humid conditions. Avoid overhead watering and increase airflow.
- Overcrowding: Chive clumps can become congested after a few years. Divide them every 3–4 years to keep them productive.
Harvesting Chives
Once your plants are at least 6 inches tall, you can begin harvesting by snipping the leaves with scissors about an inch above the soil line. Never cut more than a third of the plant at once, and avoid tearing the leaves.
The more you cut, the more they grow—so harvest often!
Chive flowers are also edible and have a subtle onion flavor. Try adding them to salads, herb butters, or as a colorful garnish.
How to Store Chives
Chives are best used fresh, but you can preserve them too:
- Refrigerate: Wrap in a damp paper towel and store in a sealed container for up to a week.
- Freeze: Chop and freeze in ice cube trays with a little water or oil.
- Dry: Dehydrate or air-dry, but note that dried chives lose much of their flavor.
Dividing and Saving Chive Plants
Chives naturally form dense clumps that benefit from being divided every few years:
- Dig up the clump in spring or fall.
- Gently separate into smaller clusters, each with several bulbs and healthy roots.
- Replant at your desired spacing or share with a friend!
If you’d like to save seeds, allow the flowers to dry on the stalk, then clip them and shake the seeds out. Store them in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place for next season.
Best Chives for Your Climate
Chives grow well in USDA Zones 3–9, but can be grown as annuals in hotter climates or overwintered indoors in colder regions. They’re incredibly adaptable and thrive in a wide range of conditions.
Bonus Organic Growing Tips for Chives
- Pinch flowers if you want to prolong leaf production.
- Let some flowers go to seed to encourage pollinators—or collect them for future planting.
- Divide mature clumps regularly to keep plants vigorous.
- Use chive-infused vinegar or oil as a flavorful kitchen staple.
If you’re new to herb gardening, chives are one of the easiest—and most rewarding—plants to start with. Whether you snip them into your scrambled eggs or admire their charming blooms in the garden, this perennial herb is sure to earn its keep in your growing space.