Are Chives Hard To Grow?

Chives prefer full sun and rich, well-draining soil. However, they are tough and, in my experience, can tolerate as little as 4 hours of sunlight, as well as less than ideal soil. Keep in mind that root rot is possible if soil is especially poor draining. Now that you’re better acquainted, it’s time to start growing!

How long do chives take to grow?

How to Harvest Chives. Begin harvesting chive leaves about 30 days after you transplant or 60 days after seeding. Be sure to cut the leaves down to the base when harvesting (within 1 to 2 inches of the soil). Harvest 3 to 4 times during the first year.

Where do chives grow best?

full sun
Chives thrive in full sun and well drained soil rich in organic matter. The easiest and most successful way of growing chives is planting rooted clumps in spring, after frost danger has passed. You can easily grow chives indoors in a bright, sunny location.

Are chives hard to grow from seed?

While chives are frequently grown from divisions, they are just as easy to start from seeds. Chives can be started indoors or outdoors. Plant chive seeds about 1/4 inch (6 mm.) deep in the soil.

Do chives grow back after cutting?

Clip leaves from the outer portion of the plant first, making sure not to clip all of the plant at once. If you make a mistake and cut back all of the plant, no worries. It will grow back the following year. Wait to harvest your chives when the plant is at least six inches tall.

What month do you plant chives?

spring
Plant chives in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. They’re a wonderful option to use as a perennial garden border among flowers or in a culinary container garden. Space chives 8 to 12 inches apart in an area that receives full sun and has nutrient-rich, well-drained soil.

Are chives invasive?

Garlic chives coming up in spring. Even though it can spread aggressively by seed, the seedlings are relatively easy to remove when young (although they can be quite numerous, so weeding may take a lot of time). This plant can be invasive under some conditions, so should be planted with care.

Do chives multiply?

Chives will multiply if flowers are allowed to seed out. Mature plants can be divided and transplanted every few years.

What can you not plant with chives?

There are some herbs you don’t want to plant with chives because they like different growing conditions. Oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, and lavender like dried, more sandy soil so these won’t grow as well in the same areas.

How long do chive plants last?

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, chives should be divided every three to four years. Spring is a good time to divide chives, as it gives them time to become established before you begin to harvest leaves.

How fast do chives grow from seed?

It takes about 20-30 days, but up to 3 months for chive seeds to germinate. If conditions are favorable, your chive seeds will germinate much faster, in as little as 2 weeks. Growing chives from seed can prove more difficult than growing them from ready-bought plants.

Do chives need lots of water?

Growing: Grown outdoors, chives need almost no attention except in very hot, dry weather, when they should be kept well-watered.

Will chives survive the winter?

Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.

How do chives spread?

If chives are spreading in lawns, you’ll need to implement a two-pronged approach because chives spread by both seeds and underground bulbs. To prevent the plant from going to seed, remove all of the blooms before they wilt – or better yet, mow or trim them before they have a chance to bloom at all.

Can you eat the flowers on chives?

Yes! These purple flowers that grow on the chive plant are not only beautiful, they can be eaten too. Chive flowers have a light onion-y flavor. They can be eaten with eggs, as a garnish for soups, and thrown into salads.

Why won’t my chives grow?

If seeds fail to germinate, the usual culprit is either not enough water, the wrong temperature, or a disease. Chive seeds need soil temperatures to be somewhere between 60 and 70°F. Much hotter or colder, and they will either stay dormant or they’ll die off.

Will chives grow back after winter?

The plant will produce more abundantly in its second year and thereafter you can continue to pick at will over the course of the summer and in mild climates through the winter. In cooler regions, the plant dies back naturally until spring when the bright green blades can be seen poking up from the soil.

Should I cut flowers off chives?

Cutting back chives after flowering will rejuvenate the plant, and encourage fresh new growth. Once the flowers start to fade, prune chives down half way to remove all the spent flowers.

Can you plant chives with tomatoes?

Chives. Another fabulous companion herb for tomatoes, chives not only help the tomato’s taste, but they also season tomato dishes just wonderfully. Since Chives are perennial, think of them as the backdrop for your tomato garden.

Which herbs take over the garden?

Mint, oregano, pennyroyal and even thyme will spread through underground runners and can quickly take over the garden. They can be hard to remove as small bits of roots left behind can grow into full plants.

Can I plant garlic with chives?

This perennial, clump-forming herb is a member of the onion family. Unlike onions and other types of garlic, the fibrous bulbs of garlic chives are not edible.
Learn the difference between garlic chives and common chives.

Botanical Name	Allium tuberosum
Sun Exposure	Full sun to part shade
Soil Type	Rich, well-draining