Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Growing Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Chives
Latin Name: Allium schoenoprasum
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 3–9. In colder zones plants die back to the crown in winter and re-sprout in spring. In warmer zones growth may be longer season and plants can naturalize and self-seed more readily.
Typical Height: About 8–20 in (20–50 cm) including flower scapes; foliage alone often shorter
Typical Spread: Clumping habit spreads slowly by division and seed to about 12–18 in (30–45 cm)
Bloom Period: Late spring to early summer
Soil Preferences: Prefers fertile, well drained soil. Tolerates average garden soils. Avoid waterlogged or very poorly drained sites which cause crown rot.
Light Preferences: Full sun to part shade. Best leaf production in full sun, tolerates some afternoon shade in hot climates.
Toxicity: Edible for people in culinary amounts. Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in sufficient quantities. Handle with basic food safety; some people may have contact sensitivity.
Propagation: By division of clumps in spring or fall and by seed. Division gives true to type plants faster, seed can naturalize and produce variable results.

Key Facts

Cold hardy perennial herb in the onion family
Forms clumping, grasslike hollow leaves used fresh or cooked
Produces rounded clusters of purple to pink flowers in spring
Attracts bees and other pollinators
Grows well in borders, herb beds, and containers
Easily increased by division or grown from seed
Prefers fertile, well drained soil but tolerates a range of soils
Edible for people but can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested

Chives are a cold hardy clump forming perennial in the onion family grown for mild onion flavored leaves and edible purple flowers. They work well in herb beds, borders and containers while attracting bees and other pollinators.

Identification

Chives form tufts of grasslike hollow leaves and produce rounded clusters of purple to pink flowers in late spring to early summer. Typical plants reach about 8 to 20 inches including flower scapes and form clumps that are shorter when only foliage is present.

Best places to grow and uses

Use chives at the front of borders, in dedicated herb beds or in containers beside a kitchen door for easy snipping. Leaves are eaten fresh or cooked and flower heads are edible while also attracting pollinators. Note that chives are edible for people but can be toxic to dogs and cats if eaten in sufficient quantities.

Planting time and spacing

Plant divisions in spring or fall and start seed in spring if growing from seed. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart to match the clumping spread and allow airflow. Chives are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and will die back to the crown in cold winters then resprout in spring.

Light, soil and watering

Grow chives in full sun to part shade with best leaf production in full sun and some afternoon shade where summers are hot. They prefer fertile well drained soil with pH roughly 6.0 to 7.5 and will tolerate average garden soils. Avoid waterlogged sites because poor drainage leads to crown rot and plant decline.

After flowering and spread control

Remove spent flower heads to reduce unwanted self seeding and cut flower scapes back to the base to keep leaves vigorous. Divide established clumps every 2 to 4 years to refresh the planting and control gradual spread by clump expansion and seed.

Propagation and maintenance

Propagate by division of clumps in spring or fall for fastest true to type results or by seed when you want new plants that might naturalize. Division keeps plants vigorous and is also the recommended way to rejuvenate overcrowded clumps and maintain harvestable leaf production.

Containers and harvesting

Chives grow well in containers on patios or windowsills where drainage is good and soil is fertile. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Harvest by snipping leaves near the base rather than pulling the whole clump to preserve the crown and encourage steady regrowth.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Chives grow?: Chives form clumps that expand slowly over seasons to about 12 to 18 inches across. New divisions reestablish quickly while seed grown plants may take longer to fill a bed.
When do chives bloom?: Chives bloom in late spring to early summer with rounded clusters of purple to pink flowers. Exact timing varies with climate and hemisphere.
Are chives safe for pets?: Chives are edible for people in culinary amounts but are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in sufficient quantity. Contact a veterinarian or poison control for concerns about pet exposure.
How do I propagate chives?: Divide clumps in spring or fall for reliable true to type plants. Seed can be sown for additional plants but may produce variable results and more naturalizing.
How often should I divide chives?: Divide every 2 to 4 years to maintain vigor and control the spread of the clump while renewing harvestable foliage.