Chive plants are a species of perennial herbs in the Allium family. They are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Chives are a popular culinary herb, used in salads, soups, and sauces. Chive plants have a mild onion flavor and are a great way to add flavor to dishes without overpowering them. They have long, thin, hollow stems and small, round, edible flowers. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. Chive plants are easy to grow and require little maintenance. They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Planning Your Garden With Chives
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Chives are a perennial plant. |
| USDA Zone | Chives are hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Chives are hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and can tolerate temperatures down to 20. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest chives is around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown chive plant is about 8-12 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Chives prefer full sun and well-drained soil, and should be spaced 8-10 inches apart when planting. |
| Sun tolerance | Chives can tolerate full sun, but they prefer partial shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Chives are a shade tolerant plant, meaning they can tolerate some shade, but they will produce the most foliage and flowers in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Chives prefer moist, well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. During the growing season, water chives deeply once or twice a week, providing enough water to keep the soil evenly moist. In the winter, water chives only when the soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer | Chives are a low-maintenance herb and do not require a lot of fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) once a year is usually sufficient. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing chives is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Chives are Popular
People like to grow chives because they are easy to grow, require minimal care, and have a mild onion flavor that can be used to add flavor to many dishes. Chives are also known for their attractive purple flowers that bloom in the summer.
Companion Plants For Chives
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for chives include:
Common Pests For Chives
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow chives, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- flea beetles
- thrips
- aphids
- onion maggots
- beetles
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
