Growing Chives, also Garden chives

Allium schoenoprasum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P P           P P P

(Best months for growing Chives in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Tomatoes, Parsley, Apples
  • Chive flowers (foreground)

Grass-like leaves in clumps. Likes full sun but not too dry.

Chives are a perennial but die down in winter. You can dig up a small clump to pot up for indoor use in winter.

Remove flowers to encourage a continuous supply of leaves.

If weeding gets away from you, you can easily distinguish chives from grass because chives have a hollow leaf stem and onion smell.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Chives

Use raw in salads or as a mild onion flavour in cooked dishes.

Your comments and tips

18 Apr 20, amy (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
is garlic chives grown like chives? is it too late to grow garlic chives now is mid autumn?
20 Apr 20, Roland (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I grow garlic chives all year here in Central Florida. In the cooler months I grow them in full sun. In the hotter months I grow them in partial sun. They like water and are heavy feeders. Compost well and enjoy your garlic chives.
27 Jul 22, Deb (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Thanks that info is helpful!
13 Sep 18, Kathy Rielly (New Zealand - temperate climate)
can chives been grown in pots?
14 Sep 18, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Kathy, you can grow chives in pots. They form a clump and will last a few years if you keep cutting them.
15 Sep 18, Kathy Rielly (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thanks Liz, put them in a pot today.
02 Aug 13, Alan (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Chives are not growing well at all. they get part sun and are well drained. they have no tops. can you give a hint

There are quite a number of online suppliers of chive seeds in Canada. Search 'herb seeds' on the internet and click on a site then look for 'chive seed'. All the best.

- John

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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