Chives are among the easiest perennial herbs to grow, prized for their mild onion flavor, delicate edible flowers, and attractive grasslike foliage. Whether planted in an herb garden, along a border, or in a patio container, chives provide fresh flavor with relatively little maintenance.
Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are cold-hardy members of the onion family. Their slender, hollow leaves form tidy clumps topped with round clusters of pink or lavender flowers. Once established, they return year after year in suitable climates.
Chives grow best with plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, regular moisture, and occasional division. This guide covers planting, watering, fertilizing, growing chives in pots, and harvesting tender leaves for the kitchen.
Chives Care at a Glance
Botanical name: Allium schoenoprasum
Plant type: Cold-hardy, clump-forming perennial herb
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; ideally 6 or more hours of sun
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil; pH approximately 6.0–7.0
Water: Keep evenly moist during active growth; avoid waterlogging
Spacing: Approximately 4–6 inches for young plants; allow more room for mature clumps
Fertilizer: Usually minimal in fertile garden soil
Division: Every 2–4 years, or when clumps become crowded
Harvest: Cut leaves 1–2 inches above soil once plants are established
Caring for Chives
Chives are hardy, low-maintenance perennial herbs that grow in clumps of slender green leaves. They perform best in full sun but tolerate some partial shade, especially in warmer climates.
A moderately fertile, well-drained loamy soil with organic matter helps support healthy growth and reduces the need for supplemental fertilizer. Consistent moisture produces the most tender, productive foliage, although established plants can tolerate brief dry periods.
Chives are also useful as ornamental edging plants. Their rounded lavender flowers provide spring or early-summer color, and the leaves can be harvested repeatedly for cooking.
Dividing Chive Plants
As chive plants grow, their clumps gradually become larger and more crowded. Dividing them approximately every two to four years helps maintain vigorous growth and provides additional plants for other garden areas.
Early spring is an excellent time to divide chives, although early fall may also be suitable in many climates.
How to Divide Chives
- Water the plant before dividing to reduce transplant stress.
- Lift the entire clump carefully with a garden fork or spade.
- Separate the roots and bulbs into smaller groups, retaining healthy roots and shoots on each division.
- Replant the divisions at their original growing depth with enough room to expand.
- Water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist while the divisions establish.
Planting Chives
Chives can be grown from seeds, nursery transplants, or divisions from established clumps. Spring is generally the easiest time to plant, although fall planting is possible where plants have enough time to establish before severe winter weather.
Choose a site that receives full sun or light partial shade. Chives prefer well-draining soil with a pH around 6.0–7.0, but they tolerate a range of reasonably fertile soils.
Incorporating finished compost into the planting area can improve soil structure and moisture retention. Avoid excessive amendments where soil is already fertile.
Growing Chives From Seed
Chive seeds can be started indoors before the last spring frost or sown directly into prepared garden soil once conditions are suitable.
Sow seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination. Thin young seedlings to roughly 4–6 inches apart, or transplant small groups to create fuller clumps.
How Far Apart Should Chives Be Planted?
Young chive plants can initially be spaced approximately 4–6 inches apart when creating a dense herb planting. Established clumps often benefit from 12 inches or more of space, especially when grown for several seasons without division.
Chives can gradually self-seed if flowers are allowed to mature. Remove fading flower heads before they set seed when you want to limit volunteer seedlings.
Chives vs. garlic chives: Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) have hollow, rounded leaves and pink to lavender flowers. Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) have flatter leaves, white flowers, and a more pronounced garlic flavor. Both are edible perennial herbs.
Watering Chives
Chives grow best when the soil remains evenly moist during active growth. Although mature plants tolerate occasional drought, dry conditions can slow leaf production and reduce the quality of the harvest.
As a general guideline, approximately 1 inch of water per week from rainfall and irrigation may be sufficient in many garden soils. More may be needed during hot weather, while less may be needed during cool or rainy periods.
Water thoroughly when the upper soil begins to dry, allowing moisture to reach the root zone. Chives prefer moist soil but should not remain in standing water or persistently saturated conditions.
Watering tip: Sandy soils and containers may dry out faster than moisture-retentive garden beds. Check the soil before watering rather than using the same schedule in every location.
Fertilizing Chives
Chives generally require little fertilizer when planted in reasonably fertile soil. Incorporating finished compost before planting can provide organic matter and support healthy root growth.
A soil test is the best way to determine whether additional nutrients or soil pH adjustments are necessary. Avoid fertilizing heavily without knowing what the soil needs.
If established clumps begin growing slowly or become thin after frequent harvesting, a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring may be helpful. Use a product appropriate for edible herbs and follow the label instructions.
Avoid overfertilizing: Chives don't need heavy feeding. Too much fertilizer can lead to unnecessary soft growth and nutrient buildup, particularly in containers.
Growing Chives in Pots
Chives are excellent container herbs. Their compact, clumping growth makes them suitable for patios, balconies, raised planters, and sunny locations near the kitchen.
Choose a pot with drainage holes and enough room for the clump to grow. A container approximately 8–12 inches wide is a useful starting point for a single established clump, although larger groupings need more space.
Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix and place it in full sun or bright partial shade. Container-grown chives dry out more quickly than those planted in the ground, so check soil moisture regularly.
Potted chives may benefit from occasional light feeding during active growth. If needed, use a diluted liquid fertilizer approximately every four to six weeks, adjusting for plant vigor and the potting mix.
Can Chives Grow Indoors?
Yes. Chives can be grown indoors in a sunny window or beneath suitable grow lights. Their leaves can be harvested when growth is strong enough to recover from cutting.
Outdoor chives naturally become dormant during cold winters. Bringing a potted clump indoors after it has experienced a period of cold weather can help initiate fresh growth, provided it receives adequate light and care.
Harvesting Chives
Chives can be harvested once plants are established and the leaves are approximately 6 inches tall. Transplants and divided clumps generally become ready to harvest sooner than plants started from seed.
To harvest, use clean scissors to cut leaves approximately 1–2 inches above the soil. Avoid pulling or tearing the leaves because this can damage the small bulbs and developing shoots.
Regular harvesting encourages tender new leaves. Leave enough healthy growth between harvests for the plant to replenish its energy, especially while young or newly divided.
How to Harvest Chives
- Wait until the plant has developed a healthy clump of leaves.
- Use clean, sharp scissors to cut leaves near the base.
- Leave approximately 1–2 inches of growth above the soil.
- Allow the plant to regrow before the next heavy harvest.
- Remove faded flower heads if you want to reduce self-seeding.
Are Chive Flowers Edible?
Yes. The pink or lavender flowers of common chives are edible and have a mild onion-like flavor. Use clean, pesticide-free blossoms to garnish salads, flavored butter, and other dishes.
If you primarily want tender leaves, removing flower stalks can redirect growth toward fresh foliage. Leaving some flowers benefits visiting pollinators and adds ornamental interest.
How to Store Fresh Chives
Chives have the best flavor when freshly harvested. Store cut leaves in the refrigerator for short-term use, keeping them cool and avoiding excessive moisture.
For longer storage, wash and thoroughly dry the leaves, chop them into small pieces, and freeze in an airtight container. Freezing generally preserves their flavor better than drying.
Common Chives Growing Problems
Chives rarely experience serious problems when given good drainage, appropriate moisture, and sufficient light. These are some of the most common issues gardeners encounter.
Why Are My Chives Turning Yellow?
Yellow leaves can result from excessive moisture, poor drainage, nutrient deficiencies, or aging foliage. Check soil moisture and root conditions before adding fertilizer.
Why Aren't My Chives Growing Well?
Slow growth may occur when plants receive too little light, remain dry for extended periods, or become overcrowded. Established clumps may benefit from division and a modest nutrient application when needed.
Why Do Chives Die Back in Winter?
Chives are perennial herbs that naturally enter dormancy in cold climates. Their aboveground leaves often die back after frost while the underground bulbs survive and produce fresh growth in spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chives
Do chives come back every year?
Yes. Common chives are hardy perennials that return from their underground bulbs in suitable climates, even when winter temperatures cause the leaves to die back.
Do chives need full sun?
Chives grow best in full sun but tolerate some partial shade. Plants receiving less sunlight may produce fewer flowers or grow more slowly.
How often should you water chives?
Keep the soil evenly moist during active growth and water when the upper soil begins to dry. Established plants tolerate some drought, but extended dry periods reduce growth and leaf production.
How do you cut chives so they grow back?
Use scissors to cut the leaves approximately 1–2 inches above the soil, leaving the bulbs and crown intact. Healthy established plants will produce new leaves.
Can chives grow in pots?
Yes. Chives grow well in containers with drainage holes, suitable potting mix, adequate sunlight, and consistent watering.
What is the difference between chives and garlic chives?
Common chives have hollow, round leaves and a mild onion flavor. Garlic chives have flatter leaves, white flowers, and a garlic-like flavor. They are related but belong to different species.
Growing Healthy Chives Year After Year
Chives are among the most dependable herbs for gardeners who want fresh flavor without complicated maintenance. They grow well in sunny gardens and containers, tolerate cold weather, and provide attractive edible flowers.
Give chives well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and occasional division as clumps mature. Regular harvesting will provide plenty of tender leaves for cooking throughout the growing season.
Gardening References
- University of Maryland Extension. Chives. Planting, dividing, harvesting, and culinary uses.
- Utah State University Extension. How to Grow Chives in Your Garden. Growing conditions, watering, and spacing.
- University of Wisconsin Extension. Chives, Allium schoenoprasum. Plant care, propagation, and ornamental value.
- University of Illinois Extension. Chives. Herb cultivation, harvest, and storage.