Chives

Allium schoenoprasum · Herb

One of the easiest herbs to grow, with a mild onion flavour. A clump returns every spring, can be cut again and again, and its purple flowers are edible too.

💧WaterWeekly, keep moist (estimated)

☀️LightFull sun to light shade

🐾PetsToxic to pets

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun to light shade
Water: About 1 in per week; don't let it dry out
Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile, pH 6.0–7.0
Temperature: Best 60–75 °F; very cold-hardy, dies back in winter
Spacing: 8–12 in apart
Container: At least 1 gallon, 6 in deep
Harvest: Harvest from about 60 days after sowing (estimated)
Lifespan: Perennial

When?

Sow outdoors in early spring once the soil can be worked, or start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Clumps can be divided in spring or autumn (estimated).

Step by step

Sow seeds 1/4 in deep; they sprout in 7–14 days.
Thin or plant out in small clumps of several seedlings.
Keep the soil evenly moist while plants establish.
Cut leaves 1–2 in above the soil, never all at once.
Remove flower heads after blooming if you don't want self-sown seedlings.
Divide crowded clumps every 3–4 years.
Pot up a clump in autumn for a windowsill supply.

Common problems

Yellow, thin leavesClump is crowded or hungry; divide and add compost.

Leaves bent over and weakToo much shade; move to a brighter spot.

Seedlings everywhereSelf-sowing; cut off flowers before seeds form.

Pets

Toxic to cats and dogs according to ASPCA, like other onion relatives. Keep pets from chewing it. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

Garlic Onion Parsley

Sources

ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.