Red Carpet Chives
Allium schoenoprasum 'Red Carpet'
A stunning ornamental chive variety that produces masses of vibrant rose-red flowers above dense clumps of slender green foliage. Beyond its beauty, this perennial herb offers the same mild onion flavor as regular chives, making it both a gorgeous garden accent and a useful culinary herb. The flowers are edible and make beautiful garnishes.
Harvest
75-90d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
12-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Red Carpet Chives in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 allium →Zone Map
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Red Carpet Chives · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | April – December |
| Zone 1 | — | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | — | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 11 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 12 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 13 | — | — | January – February | March – December |
Succession Planting
Red Carpet Chives are a perennial in zones 4-8, so succession planting doesn't apply — you put them in once, divide the clump every 3-4 years, and they keep going on their own. If you're starting from seed, direct sow from March through May and expect germination in 14-21 days. After that first season, your main task is cutting the whole plant back to 2 inches after it flowers, which pushes a flush of fresh leaf growth rather than letting it go to seed and thin out.
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 5 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
3-valved capsule opens in summer to disperse many seeds
Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Red Carpet Chive leaves stay crisp for 7-10 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. Wrap clean, completely dry leaves in slightly damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags in your crisper drawer. Avoid washing until ready to use, as excess moisture causes rapid deterioration.
For longer storage, freezing works exceptionally well. Chop clean leaves into desired sizes and freeze in ice cube trays with a small amount of water or olive oil. These frozen cubes maintain their flavor for up to 8 months and can be added directly to hot dishes.
Drying preserves the onion flavor beautifully. Bundle small amounts of stems and hang in a warm, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Properly dried chives retain their color and potency for up to one year when stored in airtight containers. The vibrant flowers can also be dried for use in herb blends and teas, though they're best enjoyed fresh as garnishes.
History & Origin
Origin: Temperate Northern Hemisphere
Advantages
- +Attracts: Pollinators
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Chives pull their weight near tomatoes and peppers because the sulfur compounds they off-gas — allicin being the primary one — appear to deter aphids and spider mites that would otherwise settle in on those plants. It's not a force field. But tucking chives 8-12 inches from a tomato's base gives you a low-maintenance buffer that at minimum costs you nothing. Carrots are a practical fit for a different reason: the two crops occupy separate root zones. Chives stay shallow at 6-8 inches while carrots push 10-12 inches down, so there's no real competition for water or nutrients. NC State Extension also notes chives near roses as a way to discourage aphids without reaching for a sprayer — plant them around the drip line and leave them alone.
Beans and peas are the ones to keep out of the same bed entirely. Alliums are broadly allelopathic toward legumes — root exudates from chives interfere with the Rhizobium bacteria that fix nitrogen for beans and peas. The bean plant won't die on the spot, but you'll see reduced yields and poor nodulation that won't be easy to trace back to the spacing decision. Put 18-24 inches between them at minimum, or just use separate beds. Asparagus runs into the same problem from both sides: asparagus produces compounds that suppress allium growth, so neither crop does well in close proximity.
Plant Together
Tomatoes
Chives repel aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth
Carrots
Chives deter carrot rust flies and other soil pests
Roses
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and may reduce black spot disease
Cabbage
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests
Peppers
Chives deter aphids and may improve pepper growth and flavor
Strawberries
Helps repel slugs and aphids while potentially enhancing fruit flavor
Lettuce
Provides pest protection without competing for nutrients
Apple Trees
May help prevent apple scab and deter aphids from fruit trees
Keep Apart
Beans
Alliums can inhibit nitrogen fixation and growth of legumes
Peas
Chives may stunt pea growth and interfere with nitrogen fixation
Asparagus
Alliums can inhibit asparagus growth and development
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169994)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Very disease resistant, rarely troubled by pests or diseases
Common Pests
Occasionally aphids, generally pest-free
Diseases
Crown rot in poorly drained soils
Troubleshooting Red Carpet Chives
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Clumps yellowing and collapsing at the base, stems mushy near soil level
Likely Causes
- Crown rot (Sclerotium rolfsii or Pythium spp.) — almost always triggered by waterlogged or poorly drained soil
- Planting too deep, burying the crown and trapping moisture
What to Do
- 1.Dig up the clump, cut away any soft or discolored tissue, and let the roots air out for an hour before replanting in a raised or better-draining spot
- 2.Amend heavy clay beds with coarse sand or compost to open up drainage before replanting
- 3.Don't mulch right up against the crown — keep a 2-inch gap around the base
Leaf tips browning and drying out on established plants during summer
Likely Causes
- Normal heat dormancy — chives are cool-season plants and slow down hard above 85°F
- Underwatering during a dry stretch before the plant has fully established (under 6 weeks in ground)
What to Do
- 1.Cut the whole clump back to about 2 inches above soil — it'll push fresh growth once temps drop below 80°F
- 2.Water deeply once a week during dry spells rather than light daily sprinkles; the roots go 6-8 inches down
Distorted, sticky new growth with small green or black insects clustered on stems
Likely Causes
- Aphids (likely Myzus persicae or Aphis fabae) — chives aren't a preferred host, but aphids will move in during a heavy pressure year
- Nearby infested plants acting as a source population
What to Do
- 1.Knock them off with a firm stream of water from a hose — repeat every 2-3 days for a week
- 2.If the infestation persists, spray with insecticidal soap (1 tablespoon per quart of water), coating the undersides of stems
- 3.Check neighboring plants like roses or peppers; deal with the source, not just the chives
Plant fails to spread or fill in after 2 full seasons, clump looks thin and weak
Likely Causes
- Overcrowded root mass — chives need dividing every 3-4 years or they choke themselves out
- Soil pH outside the 6.0-7.0 range, locking out nutrients
- Insufficient sun — fewer than 4 hours of direct light stunts clump development
What to Do
- 1.Dig up the entire clump in early spring or fall, split it into sections of 8-10 bulblets each, and replant at 8-12 inch spacing
- 2.Test your soil pH and amend with lime (to raise) or sulfur (to lower) before replanting
- 3.Side-dress with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring to give the divided clumps a push
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Red Carpet Chives take to grow from seed?▼
Can you grow Red Carpet Chives in containers?▼
What's the difference between Red Carpet Chives and regular chives?▼
Are Red Carpet Chives good for beginners?▼
When should I plant Red Carpet Chives?▼
Do Red Carpet Chive flowers come back every year?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.