Chives

Chives Care

Allium schoenoprasum

What is the plant

Chives are perennial herbaceous plants grown for both decorative and culinary qualities. It is a close relative to onion and garlic. These easy-to-grow plants stand out among their relatives due to the gorgeous purple flowers.

Chives (scientific name Allium schoenoprasum) naturally grows in Europe, Asia, and North America. Coming from the family Amaryllidaceae, the plant is relative to onion, garlic, shallot, and leek.
Having a beautiful purple, dense inflorescence, you can identify chives flowers in late spring or early summer. Green leaves and scapes grow up to 12–20 in (30–50) cm tall from small bulbs.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

10°C - 15°C

Hardiness zone

4a - 8b

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water the plants thoroughly when the soil is dry at the top. Never let your chives dry out since they can’t stand droughts.
Pruning
You don’t need to prune chives for any reason except for gathering the harvest of scented leaves and flowers when they are at least 6-inch (15 cm) long.
Fertilizer
Chives take advantage of fertile soil, and additional fertilizer can harm the plant. Therefore, apply half-strength fertilizer only to potted herbs 2-3 times a season.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Chives would love full sun, provided the temperature isn’t higher than 90˚F (32°C), and they get plenty of water. Otherwise, 8-10 hours of bright indirect, or even partial shade, is enough.
Soil
Provide fertile, well-drained soil rich in organics. An ordinary potting mix with a pH of 6-7 will do for potted chives. Amending soil with compost will help you keep the herb thriving in the garden.
Propagation
You can propagate chives by seeds or by dividing mature plants. The latter is possible when you have a massive bush with several bulbs.

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Temperature
Growing best at 65–70˚F (18-21˚C), chives don’t mind surviving harsh frosts. When temperatures approach freezing point, the leaves turn dry, and the bulb goes dormant.
Container
Chives grow best in the ground, but an 8-inch (20 cm) diameter pot is enough. A bigger pot allows plants to grow in clumps which is useful for full flowering and the plant’s health. Ensure there are enough drainage holes to avoid soggy soil.
Fun fact
Although chives are a type of onion, their flowers attract pollinators, making them one of the most melliferous plants in many countries.