HeirloomContainer OK

Chives Microgreens

Allium schoenoprasum

Chives microgreens are tender, slender green shoots with a mild onion flavor and fresh, aromatic profile. These delicate microgreens mature in 75-85 days and are ideal for culinary applications requiring a subtle allium taste without pungency. They thrive in fine seed starting mix or soilless medium under full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours daily). The heirloom variety offers a distinctly fresh character perfect for garnishing, salads, and dishes where gentle onion notes enhance rather than dominate. Moderate difficulty indoor growing requires vigilance against fungus gnats and thrips, making proper ventilation essential for success.

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

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Chives Microgreens in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Chives Microgreens · Zones 4–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

SpacingDense sowing, 1 tablespoon per 10x20 tray

SoilFine seed starting mix or soilless medium

pH6.0-7.0

WaterKeep consistently moist, mist 2-3 times daily

SeasonPerennial

FlavorMild onion flavor, fresh and aromatic

ColorDeep green with white base

Size2-3 inch thin grass-like shoots

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 2	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 11	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 12	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 13	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December

Complete Growing Guide

With a 75-85 day maturation window, Purly chives microgreens require patience compared to faster-growing varieties, so plan your succession sowings accordingly to maintain consistent harvests. This cultivar's notably upright growth habit and straighter leaves mean better air circulation between plants, reducing fungal disease risk—a key advantage when growing indoors where humidity tends to concentrate. Sow seeds densely but ensure they don't clump, as crowding can trigger premature bolting, especially under warm conditions above 70°F. Provide consistent moisture without waterlogging, and maintain 12-14 hours of bright indirect light daily to prevent stretching. Unlike sprawling chives varieties, Purly's vertical tendency makes it ideal for shallow trays, allowing you to maximize space efficiency while minimizing the leaf diseases common in dense microgreen beds. Harvest just before flower buds form to capture peak flavor and tenderness.

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

Chives microgreens reach peak readiness when their upright stems display a vibrant green color and develop their characteristic straight leaves, typically between 10-14 days of growth. At this stage, the microgreens feel tender yet sturdy enough to harvest cleanly. You can employ either a single-harvest approach by cutting all stems at soil level or opt for continuous harvesting by selectively removing outer leaves while allowing the center growth to mature further. For optimal flavor development, harvest in the morning after moisture has dried from the leaves, as this timing maximizes the fresh, aromatic onion notes and ensures the microgreens retain their crisp texture longer after cutting.

3-valved capsule opens in summer to disperse many seeds

Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested chives microgreens immediately in the refrigerator at 35-40°F with high humidity. Place them in a sealed container lined with slightly damp paper towels, which maintains moisture without creating condensation. Properly stored chives microgreens maintain quality for 5-7 days, though flavor peaks within the first 3 days.

For preservation, gentle dehydration works best—spread microgreens on dehydrator trays at 95°F for 2-4 hours until crisp. Store dried microgreens in airtight containers away from light for up to 6 months. Freezing is less ideal as it destroys the delicate cellular structure, though frozen chives microgreens can be used in cooked applications like soups or egg dishes. For immediate use, pack in ice water for 10 minutes to crisp up any wilted stems before serving.

History & Origin

Chives microgreens derive from Allium schoenoprasum, a species with ancient roots in temperate regions across Asia and Europe where wild populations were gathered and subsequently domesticated. The culinary use of chives dates back centuries in European and Asian cuisines. Modern chive microgreens represent a contemporary cultivation technique rather than a distinct botanical variety, applying established microgreens growing methods to standard chive germplasm. Documentation of the specific breeder, introduction year, or seed company origins of "Chives Microgreens" as a named variety is sparse. These microgreens likely emerged organically from the broader microgreens industry's expansion in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, as growers recognized the potential of sprouting common culinary herbs for tender, nutrient-dense harvests.

Origin: Temperate Northern Hemisphere

Advantages

+Mild, sweet onion flavor works well in diverse culinary applications
+Edible flowers add visual appeal and versatility to dishes
+Upright plant habit makes harvesting and handling easier than sprawling varieties
+Fresh, aromatic taste enhances salads, soups, and potato dishes
+Moderate difficulty level makes growing accessible to most gardeners

Considerations

-Susceptible to fungus gnats and thrips in indoor growing conditions
-Root rot risk requires careful watering management and drainage
-Long growing period of 75-85 days demands patience and space

Companion Plants

Chives push sulfur compounds into the air and soil that physically deter aphids — it's a documented chemical effect, not garden mythology — which is why tomatoes, peppers, and roses all benefit from proximity. Carrots get some protection from carrot fly (Psila rosae), and lettuce and brassicas coexist fine because chive roots stay shallow while those crops run deeper, so there's no real nutrient contest. Beans, peas, and asparagus are a different story: allium-family root exudates suppress nitrogen fixation in legumes and exchange the favor with asparagus by stunting both plants over a single season.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Chives repel aphids and may improve tomato flavor and growth

Carrots

Chives help deter carrot fly and other root pests

Roses

Chives repel aphids and black spot, classic rose companion

Lettuce

Compatible growing conditions and chives deter aphids that attack lettuce

Peppers

Chives repel aphids and may enhance pepper growth

Brassicas

Chives deter flea beetles and cabbage worms from brassica crops

Strawberries

Chives improve strawberry flavor and repel harmful insects

Parsley

Compatible herbs with similar growing requirements

Keep Apart

Beans

Chives may inhibit bean growth and nitrogen fixation

Peas

Alliums like chives can stunt pea growth and development

Asparagus

Chives may compete aggressively and inhibit asparagus spear development

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

Generally disease resistant

Common Pests

Fungus gnats, thrips (indoor growing)

Diseases

Root rot if overwatered

Troubleshooting Chives Microgreens

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings damping off at the soil line, stems going translucent and collapsing around day 10-14

Likely Causes

Root rot from overwatering — Allium microgreens need moisture but sit in it badly
Fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) — larvae chew roots and spread Pythium in the growing medium

What to Do

1.Cut misting back to twice daily and make sure your tray has drainage; standing water is the main culprit
2.Set yellow sticky traps above the trays to catch adult fungus gnats and break the egg-laying cycle
3.If gnats are already established, drench the medium once with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part 3% H₂O₂ to 4 parts water) to knock back larvae

Pale, thin shoots with yellowing tips after day 20, growth stalling well below the expected 12-18 inch harvest height

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — chives are slower than most microgreens and need 4-6 hours of direct light or a grow light held 2-3 inches above the canopy
Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) feeding on young leaf tissue, leaving silver streaking before any insects are visible to the naked eye

What to Do

1.Move trays to a south-facing window or drop your grow light to within 2-3 inches of the canopy for 14-16 hours per day
2.Check the undersides of shoots with a hand lens for thrips; if found, discard that tray — they spread fast in a grow room
3.For future trays, keep your grow space ventilated; stagnant air makes Frankliniella populations climb quickly

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do chives microgreens take to grow?▼

Chives microgreens typically take 12-18 days from seeding to harvest. Germination occurs within 3-5 days, followed by 9-13 days of growth under lights. The exact timing depends on temperature, light intensity, and growing conditions. Harvest when stems reach 1-2 inches tall with fully opened cotyledons and a noticeable mild onion aroma.

Can you grow chives microgreens without soil?▼

Yes, chives microgreens grow excellently in soilless mediums like coconut coir, vermiculite blends, or hydroponic mats. These alternatives often provide better drainage and reduce disease risk compared to traditional potting soil. Use coconut coir mixed with vermiculite (70/30 ratio) for optimal water retention and aeration. Soilless growing also makes harvesting cleaner and easier.

What do chives microgreens taste like compared to mature chives?▼

Chives microgreens offer a milder, more delicate onion flavor than mature chives, with a fresh, aromatic quality that's less pungent. The tender texture makes them perfect for garnishing delicate dishes where full-strength chive flavor might be overwhelming. They provide the same basic flavor profile but concentrated into tender, grass-like shoots that add both taste and visual appeal.

Are chives microgreens good for beginners?▼

Chives microgreens are considered moderate difficulty, making them suitable for beginners who have successfully grown easier varieties like radish or pea shoots first. They require more attention to watering and lighting than beginner-friendly options, but their disease resistance and no-soak requirement make them manageable. Start with a small tray to learn their specific needs before scaling up production.

Do chives microgreens need special lighting?▼

Chives microgreens require 12-14 hours of daily light but should avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the delicate leaves. Full-spectrum LED grow lights positioned 12-18 inches above work best, or place near bright, indirect natural light like a north-facing window. Insufficient lighting results in leggy, pale microgreens with poor flavor development.

Can you regrow chives microgreens after cutting?▼

No, chives microgreens cannot regrow after cutting because you harvest the entire above-ground portion including the growing point. Unlike mature chives that regrow from their bulbs, microgreens are harvested at the cotyledon stage before true leaves develop. For continuous harvest, start new trays every 5-7 days to ensure a steady supply of fresh microgreens.