Allium schoenoprasum or Chives are a bulbous, perennial herb that is widely used to add an onion-like flavour to culinary recipes around the world. Used in salads, sauces, and soups the plant itself also has great ornamental value, is an excellent companion plant and brings helpful insects into the garden. Chives are easy to start from seed and can be grown in containers or planted along the edges of garden beds.
From spring to summer, Chives will produce purple globe-like flowers which attract bees and butterflies and are also used as garnishes in salads. They grow in a range of soil types, don’t need much water, and will partner well with roses, chamomile, beetroot and carrots.
Growth
Chives are a perennial and grow to a short 30 cm tall and can be grown in pots or directly into the garden. Seeds germinate once temperatures surpass 13°C and can be transplanted easily if started indoors. Flowers appear as early as mid-spring and will turn to seed by late summer. Dead heading the flowers prior to seeding is recommended in their first season. In subsequent seasons, Allium schoenoprasum can be divided and will transplant easily year-round if there isn’t any frost. Germination takes around 2-3 weeks, and the leaves can start being harvested in around 4-6 weeks.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Amaryllidaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5-30°C / 40-85°F
SOIL TYPE:
Chives can grow in a wide range of soils including heavy clay.
LOCATION:
Full Sun. Part shade is fine, but less flowering occurs.
HEIGHT:
Up to 30 cm’s (1 feet) above ground
WIDTH:
Up to 20 cm’s (8 inches)
pH:
5.2-8.3
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Self-Pollinated as well as by insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and flies.
MATURITY:
Average 60-70 days, although leaves can be harvested earlier.
GERMINATION RATES:
N/A
GERMINATION TIME:
2-3 weeks at temperatures between 13-22°C / 55-75°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 800
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 1-2 years.
FACTS ABOUT ALLIUM SCHOENOPRASUM (Chives)
Allium schoenoprasum or Chives is the only species in the Allium genus that is native to the Old (Europe) and New Worlds (America).
When Chives are grown under an Apple tree it helps to reduce scaling on the bark of the tree. Chives have no obvious pest or insect diseases and is superb at repelling pests for other plants in the garden.
Although rarely mentioned as having medicinal properties, the whole plant has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and with blood circulation.
Allium schoenoprasum is also called Wild Chives and Flowering Onion.
