HeirloomContainer OK

Common Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Compared to Staro, Purly has a more upright plant habit with a slightly straighter leaf. Edible Flowers: Pull the florets apart and sprinkle on salads, dips, sauces, soups, stir-fries, and pizza. Great as an addition to potato salad. Flavor is of mild, sweet onion.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Common Chives in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Common Chives · Zones 4–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

WaterModerate, 1 inch per week

SeasonPerennial

FlavorMild onion flavor, delicate and sweet

ColorBright green leaves with purple flowers

Size1/4 inch diameter hollow leaves

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December

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

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh chives store best when treated like cut flowers. Trim stem ends and place in a glass of water, covering loosely with a plastic bag. Refrigerated this way, they'll maintain quality for 7-10 days. For shorter storage, wrap dry chives in damp paper towels and refrigerate for up to one week.

Freezing preserves chive flavor exceptionally well. Chop fresh leaves and freeze in ice cube trays with water or olive oil—perfect portions for cooking. Frozen chives work beautifully in cooked dishes but lose their crisp texture for fresh applications.

Dehydrating works but requires careful attention. Use the lowest heat setting and remove when leaves crumble easily. Store dried chives in airtight containers away from light. The flavor becomes more concentrated but loses the fresh, bright notes that make chives special.

History & Origin

Origin: Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Diseases, Drought, Humidity, Wet Soil
+Attracts: Pollinators
+Wildlife value: Flowers attract pollinators
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Chives repel aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth

Carrots

Chives deter carrot fly and other root pests while improving carrot flavor

Roses

Chives repel aphids, black spot, and other rose pests naturally

Cabbage

Chives deter cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles from brassicas

Apple Trees

Chives help prevent apple scab and deter aphids from fruit trees

Lettuce

Chives repel aphids and slugs while not competing for nutrients

Peppers

Chives deter aphids and may enhance pepper growth and flavor

Strawberries

Chives repel slugs, aphids, and nematodes that damage strawberry plants

Keep Apart

Beans

Chives may inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation capabilities

Peas

Alliums like chives can stunt pea growth and reduce pod production

Nutrition Facts

Calories

30kcal(2%)

Protein

3.27g(7%)

Fiber

2.5g(9%)

Carbs

4.35g(2%)

Fat

0.73g(1%)

Vitamin C

58.1mg(65%)

Vitamin A

218mcg(24%)

Vitamin K

213mcg(178%)

Iron

1.6mg(9%)

Calcium

92mg(7%)

Potassium

296mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169994)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance

Common Pests

Onion thrips, aphids

Diseases

Rust, downy mildew in humid conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow chives in containers?▼

Absolutely! Chives thrive in containers and make excellent windowsill herbs. Use pots at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes. Container chives can be brought indoors for winter harvests in cold climates. Divide containerized clumps annually as they become rootbound faster than garden-planted chives.

How long do chives take to grow from seed?▼

Chives germinate in 10-14 days under optimal conditions but require 60-75 days to reach first harvest size. From transplants, you can begin light harvesting in 3-4 weeks. Second-year plants provide the most abundant harvests as root systems fully establish.

Do chives come back every year?▼

Yes! Chives are hardy perennials that return reliably each spring in zones 3-9. They often emerge before the last frost, providing some of the season's first fresh herbs. Established clumps become more productive each year for decades with minimal care.

What's the difference between chives and green onions?▼

Chives have thin, hollow, grass-like leaves with a delicate onion flavor, while green onions (scallions) have flat, solid leaves and distinct white bulbs with a sharper bite. Chives are perennial herbs used primarily as seasoning, whereas green onions are annual vegetables eaten as both seasoning and vegetables.

Should I let my chives flower?▼

Allow some flowers for beauty and pollinator benefits, but remove most before seed formation to maintain leaf production and prevent aggressive self-seeding. Harvest flowers just as they open for culinary use—they add gorgeous color and mild onion flavor to salads.

When should I divide my chive plants?▼

Divide chives every 3-4 years when clumps become overcrowded and less productive. Best timing is early spring as new growth emerges or fall 6-8 weeks before hard frost. Each division should have roots and several growing points for successful establishment.