Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Family: Amaryllidaceae · Genus: Allium
Chives are a hardy perennial herb in the amaryllis family, grown for their hollow, grass-like leaves with a mild onion flavour. They form dense clumps topped by purple pom-pom flowers, regrow after cutting, and make a classic kitchen-garden edging plant. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America.
Soil Temperature
10°C – 30°C
Spacing
5 – 5 cm
Harvest
7–11 weeks
Sowing
Easy to grow. Sow in garden.
Growing Schedule Zone 8b
Companions
Avoid Growing Near
Growing Notes
Grass-like leaves in clumps. Likes full sun but not too dry. Chives are a perennial but die down in winter. You can dig up a small clump to pot up for indoor use in winter. Remove flowers to encourage a continuous supply of leaves. If weeding gets away from you, you can easily distinguish chives from grass because chives have a hollow leaf stem and onion smell.
Culinary Hints
Use raw in salads or as a mild onion flavour in cooked dishes.