How to grow Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
A tidy, perennial onion-y garnish.
Chives are a no-fuss perennial clump that comes back every spring and gives mild onion flavor all season — plus edible purple flowers. Snip what you need and it keeps growing.
Grow Chives with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Chives at a glance
| Sun | Sun / part shade |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 8 in |
| Harvest | Pick anytime |
| Plant | Spring |
| Note | Perennial; edible flowers |
How to grow Chives, step by step
Plant a clump
- Set a clump or sow in spring; part shade is fine.
- Space 8 in — clumps slowly widen.
Easy care
- Average water; little feeding needed.
- Divide congested clumps every few years.
Snip to the base
- Cut leaves near the base; they regrow quickly.
- Enjoy the purple flowers in salads; trim spent blooms.
Chives problems & fixes
Chives — Clump dies out in the middle: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Congested. Dig and divide every few years.
Chives — Flops after flowering: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Shear the whole clump back; fresh leaves regrow.
Chives — Orange spots (rust): what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Cut affected leaves; improve airflow.
Recommended chives varieties
- Common — All-rounder. Mild onion flavor; pretty purple flowers.
- Garlic Chives — Garlicky. Flat leaves, white flowers, garlic note.
- Staro — Thick. Thick stems for a bigger harvest.
Chives month-by-month
| January | Dormant. |
|---|---|
| February | New shoots push up. |
| March | First snips. |
| April | Lush growth. |
| May | Harvest freely; flowers open. |
| June | Edible blooms. |
| July | Trim spent flowers. |
| August | Keeps producing. |
| September | Fresh fall growth. |
| October | Last harvests. |
| November | Dies back. |
| December | Dormant. |