Simple Steps to Growing Chives in Your Garden

Growing chives is more than just adding a flavorful herb to your kitchen garden; it’s about enhancing your everyday meals with a fresh, vibrant touch. Chives are one of the most popular herbs for both cooks and gardeners, for good reason. They are easy to grow, look beautiful in any garden, are a natural pest control, and have many uses in cooking. 

Growing Chives in Your Garden

If you’re looking for more gardening ideas, How to Grow a Mint Garden and 11 Reasons to Grow a Herb Garden will help you get started.

What are chives?

Chives are an herb with small bulbs and hollow green leaves in the allium family. Their leaves and flowers are edible and used in many culinary dishes worldwide.

What do chives taste like?

Chive leaves are one of the most versatile herbs, improving most dishes. It has a sweet, mild onion flavor.

French cooks always have fresh herbs in their kitchens; chive leaves are one of their favorites. They are part of the Fines Herbes mix of herbs that the French often use in cooking.

Both the flowers and the leaves of the chive plant are edible. You don’t want to use the flower’s stem because it’s tough.

Recipe for Fines Herbes

Equal parts chopped chive leaves, parsley, chervil, and tarragon.

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History of Chives

Chives, a member of the Allium family, have a long history that dates back thousands of years. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, chives are believed to have been used as both a culinary herb and medicinal plant since ancient times.

The earliest recorded use of chives can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where Roman soldiers would consume chives to increase their strength and endurance. The plant’s antibacterial qualities were thought to ward off infections.

During the Middle Ages, chives became a popular herb across Europe, particularly in France and Germany. Monks in medieval monasteries cultivated chives in their herb gardens, using them in various remedies to treat ailments such as high blood pressure and digestive issues.

By the time of the Renaissance, chives had become a staple in European kitchens, valued for their ability to enhance the flavor of a wide range of dishes without overpowering the other ingredients.

Over the centuries, chives spread across the globe, becoming a beloved herb in many cuisines, from French to Chinese, and eventually finding their way to gardens and kitchens worldwide.

How to Grow Chive Plants from Seed

To begin growing chives from seed, select a well-draining pot or garden bed that receives plenty of sunlight. Chives thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, making them adaptable to various garden conditions.

Start by sowing seeds directly into the soil, about 1/4″ deep, and lightly cover them with soil or compost. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, which typically takes about 10-14 days.

As the seedlings emerge, thin them out to ensure each plant has enough space to grow – approximately 4-6 inches apart. Chives are relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond regular watering and occasional weeding.

Chives life cycle is approximately 80 days from seed to harvest. To achieve the 80 days of harvesting, constantly trimming the leaves will achieve this.

You can start the seeds indoors between 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Growing chive plants from seed is a slow process.

Seeds that are more than three-years-old have a low rate of growth, so make sure your seeds are fresh. It’s best to sow seeds that are a year old or less.

Before transplanting chive plants to the garden, check to see if there is good growth.

Use the Hardening method before planting your new plants outdoors. Let the plants go outside for 1-2 hours a day so they can get used to the temperature and weather.

To find out more about hardening your plants, this article from GrowVeg will help you.

Growing chive plants from seed outdoors

The soil temperature should be between 60-70 degrees. You want to have a soil PH of 6.0 to 7.0.  Wait until the soil is workable in the spring.

You should make sure the soil drains well. Chive plants don’t like to to be in standing water.

Add compost to the soil before planting the seeds.

The seeds can take up to 14 days to germinate. Because they are a slow-growing herb, try to keep the area weed-free, so the starts don’t get choked out.

Chive Flowers

You should plant chive plants in spring or fall for best results. Peak seasons for production is during spring and summer.

Once the chive flowers have bloomed (available in late April through June), make sure you remove them.  If you don’t, the seeds will spread more chives throughout your garden.

Removing the flowers will also help stimulate leaf growth.

Chive flowers are edible, and you can use your flowers to beautify your salads, and you can also separate the flowers and use them as a garnish.

Height and spread of chive plant

Plants grow 12 to 24 inches tall. Regular chive plants grow to about 12″ tall, garlic chive plants can grow up to 24″ tall. They spread to a foot across.

Companion planting

Chives have insecticidal and anti fungal properties that naturally ward off disease and pests.

Roses love chive plants because they help prevent black spot. You can also put them under apple trees to ward off apple scab.

Avoid growing them near carrots and tomatoes.

Growing chives in pots indoors

You want to start with a well-draining potting mix and in a pot that is at least 6 inches wide.

If you use a large pot, make sure the chives are at least six inches apart.

Chive plants like to be in a sunny location. Make sure they receive at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Water plants after planting.

If you dig up one of your chive plants to bring indoors for winter harvesting, leave the chive plant in a container outside until the tops die back and the roots freeze. A dormant period is need before your chive plant will shoot out new leaves.

Place the container in a sunny location and the plants will sprout in a few weeks.

How to Transplant Chive Plants

Transplanting chives is a simple process that can help rejuvenate an older plant or expand your herb garden. The best time to transplant chives is in early spring or fall when temperatures are cooler, and the plant is not in its peak growing phase.

Start by selecting a new location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. Start by selecting a new location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. If you’re transplanting chives into a container, ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate the plant’s root system.

Water the chive plants you want to transplant a few hours before moving them to make digging them up and dividing them easier.

Trim the chives to about 4″ tall. In the new space that you’ll be transplanting them to, add compost to the hole you’ve dug.

Fill the hole with soil and press it down lightly to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly.

How to Divide Chive Plants

Every 2 to 3 years in the spring or fall, divide your chives by hand. If you divide your chives regularly, they will be more productive.

Dig up the chives and divide the roots with your hands. Place each plant in its new hole, ensuring the roots are well spread out, and the crown of the plant sits at the soil level.

Fill the hole with soil, pressing it down lightly to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly to help the plant settle in. You’ll want to water your chive plants regularly because their roots are near the surface and can dry out easily.

For best results on the years that you divide the plants, let them grow for a few weeks before you harvest.

How to Harvest Chive Leaves

I harvest my herbs in the morning after the dew has dried on the leaves. Make sure you plants are at least six inches tall before harvesting.

Cutting your chives will ensure a continuous harvest. Pulling them out will not.

You want to cut the herb at least 2 inches above the ground with something sharp like scissors. Start from the outside and work your way to the inside.

Please make sure to leave some leaves on each plant for best results.

How to Preserve Chives

Start by cleaning your chives after cutting them. Remove debris and blemished leaves. Pat them dry with a towel.

Freezing

• Chop and Freeze: Finely chop chives, spread them on a baking sheet, freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Ice Cube Method: Chop chives an place them in ice cube trays. Fill the trays with water or olive oil, then freeze. Store the chive cubes in a freezer bag.

Drying

• Air-Drying: Tie a string around a bundle chives and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated, dry place out of direct sunlight until they are brittle. You can tie a brown paper bag around the bundle before hanging to make sure nothing falls on the floor and prevents dust from getting on the leaves. You’ll want to cut small holes in the bags to allow air flow.
• Oven-Drying: Dry in an oven at the lowest temperature setting until they are crisp.
• Dehydrator: Use a food dehydrator to dry chives quickly and efficiently.

Please Note: Chives lose a lot of their flavor when you dry them. The best way to preserve them is to freeze them.

Crumble the chive pieces once they are dry, and store in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place like your food cabinet.

Other Ways to Preserve Chives

• Chive Vinegar: Infuse white vinegar with fresh chives by placing the chives in a bottle and covering them with vinegar. Let it steep for a few weeks before straining out the chives.
• Chive Butter: Mix chopped fresh chives with softened butter, roll into a log, and wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Store in the freezer for long-term preservation. You can use your compound butter for meats and seafood, potato dishes, and other vegetable dishes.
• Herb Salt: Mix finely chopped chives with coarse salt and spread the mixture on a baking sheet to dry. Once dried, store the chive-infused salt in an airtight container.
• Chive Oil: Blend chopped chives with a neutral oil (like olive oil), then strain and store the flavored oil in the refrigerator for a few weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Reasons Why You Should Grow Chives

• Easy to Grow: Chives are hardy and require minimal care, making them perfect for beginners.
• Perennial Herb: Chives come back year after year, providing a constant supply.
• Saves Space: Chives can be grown in small spaces, including pots and window boxes.
• Versatile Herb: They add a mild onion flavor to a variety of dishes, from salads to soups.
• Beautiful Blooms: Chives produce attractive purple flowers that add color to your garden.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are beneficial for your garden.
• Deters Pests: Chives can repel certain pests like aphids and Japanese beetles.
• Edible Flowers: The flowers are also edible and can be used garnish dishes.
• Great Gift Idea: Giving a pot of chives as a gift is a thoughtful present everyone will love. You can print up instructions on how to care for the plant and even include a couple recipes.
• Rich in Nutrients: Chives are high in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like calcium and iron.
• Year-Round Harvest: In milder climates, chives can be harvested almost year-round.
• Low Maintenance: They require minimal watering and are relatively drought-tolerant.
• Saves You Money: Before I started growing my own chive leaves, there wasn’t a week that went by that I didn’t buy fresh herbs from the grocery store and that can get expensive.
• Make Good Ground Cover: Because chive plants “bunch” together, they make the perfect plant to add to a landscape where you need color.

What’s the difference between chives and green onions?

Chives and green onions, though similar in appearance, differ in flavor, use, and growth habits. Chives are a delicate herb with slender, hollow leaves and a mild onion flavor, typically used as a garnish or seasoning.

In contrast, green onions, also known as scallions, have a stronger, more pungent flavor and consist of both a green leafy top and a white bulb, which are both edible.

Onion Chives vs Garlic Chives

They are part of the same family, but onion chives have the flavor of onion, and garlic chives have more of a garlic flavor.

Garlic chive plants (also known as Chinese chives), have a more pronounced flavor than onion chives, which has a much more delicate taste.

Onion chive plants have round leaves with a hole down the center and garlic chive plants have a flat leaf which is longer in length than onion chive leaves.

Wild Chives

Wild chives are closely related to cultivated chives, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Compared to cultivated chives, wild chives are a little thicker and can reach a height of 20 inches.

Just like their cultivated counterparts, their green tops are what’s eaten along with the flowers. Chives can be found throughout the United States and Canada along the banks of streams and rivers.

Culinary Uses for Chives

Irma Goodrich Mazza (author of Herbs for the Kitchen 1939) said that chive leaves are the perfect addition to recipes because, “they never fight with their associates.”

They have more flavor when eaten raw. Chive leaves lose their potency when cooked, dried, or dehydrated.

• Garnishing: Spring chopped fresh chives over soups, salads, baked potatoes, and egg dishes for a mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
• Creamy Dips: Add finely chopped chives to sour cream, cream cheese, or yogurt to make dips for chips, vegetables, or crackers.
• Salad Dressings: Incorporate chives into homemade vinaigrettes, ranch, or other salad dressings for a fresh, onion note.
• Scrambled Eggs and Omelets: Stir chopped chives into scrambled eggs or omelets just before serving to enhance the flavor.
• Breads and Biscuits: Mix chives into the dough for savory breads, biscuits, or scones to add subtle onion flavor.
• Pasta and Potato Dishes: Toss chives with pasta or potato salads, or sprinkle them over mashed or roasted potatoes for an added burst of flavor.
• Chive Pesto: Blend chives with nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil to create a unique pesto that can be used on pasta, sandwiches, or as a dip.
• Chive Cream Cheese:

We’ve reached the end of How to Grow Chive Plants. I hope you enjoyed reading it.

Let me know in the comments below if you have your own herb garden and what your favorite plants are.

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