Plant Database / Herbs / Chives
Herbs

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum
Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis)

A tidy perennial clump of mild onion flavor, with edible purple flowers that bees love.

EdiblePerennialContainer-friendlyPollinator
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Moderate
Soil
Average
pH
6.0–7.0
Hardiness
Hardy perennial clump
Height
8–12 in
Spacing
6 in
Days to harvest
Cut as needed

What it is

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is in the Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis) family. A tidy perennial clump of mild onion flavor, with edible purple flowers that bees love.

How to grow it

It wants full sun to part shade, water it moderate, and give it average soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 6 in apart. Expect roughly Cut as needed. Hardy perennial clump.

How it's used

Chives is used: fresh, garnish; flowers edible.

🔎 How to identify it

  • Thin hollow grass-like leaves
  • Clumping habit
  • Round purple flower heads

Edibility

PartsLeaves and flowers
UsesFresh, garnish; flowers edible
CautionNone.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.