Our Herb Garden & Favorite Culinary Herbs

chive flowers

Growing Chive

(Allium schoenoprasum)

Name Origin:

It's English name derives from the French word cive, which was derived from cepa, the Latin word for onion.
 

Natural Order:

Liliaceæ
 

Growing Cycle:

perenial
 

Height:

chives grow in clumps six to ten inches tall, bloom stalks can grow up to 24 inches
 

Characteristics:

An onion-like plant with hollow, grass-like leaves.
 

Flowers:

Spiky, purple flower heads.
 

Fun Fact.

Chives are not actually classified as an herb.
 

How to Grow Chives

(Seeds, propagation and harvest)

Sowing Chive Seeds.

Chive seeds are quite small. Covered lightly, chive seeds can be started indoors but darkness will actually aid in germination. Plant seedlings six to eight inches apart. Plant seeds directly into the garden 1/4 of an inch deep after soil has fully thawed and warmed.

If you wish to grow chives for seed, it's recommended to maintain 2 separate beds - one for seed production and one for harvest. Seeds are formed within the flowers that bloom in June and July. Like many plants, allowing a chive plant to flower will shorten your harvest.

Before planting chive in your garden, check out our Chive Companion Planting Guide to learn what other herbs can be planted with chives.

Propagating Chives.

Chive plants are propagated by dividing the clumps in the spring or fall. The clumps will consist of a number of small bulbs - leave at least 6 bulbs in each division. However, for best results, do not grow chives in the same place for more than 3 years.

Chive Harvest.

Cut leaves with shears fairly close to the ground. This will stimulate growth and improve the tenderness of the leaves with each successive harvest.

Chive Uses

(leaves)

Dried, frozen or fresh, chive leaves are often used for a mild onion flavoring in salads, stews and other dishes. They are a favorite addition to baked potatos and omelets.

One historical source mentioned feeding newly-hatched turkeys chopped chives with their food.