Basics

Ease of Growing
Easy
Grown as
Perennial
Growing Habit
-
Hardiness
Hardy

 Chives are a very hardy cool weather crop and can tolerate frost.

Crops
Spring Transplant, Spring
Growing Season
Short, Long
Cultivar Type
-
Growing Conditions
Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot

Chives prefer cool conditions and doesn't particularly like heat, but it will grow in heat if you provide it more moisture. It's a pretty adaptable, independent plant, and will grow almost anywhere without a lot of care.

Outdoor Growing Temp
40°F - 85°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
50°F

Chives take a long time to germinate and do best in soil between 60 to 70˚ F. Like other alliums, chives don't germinate as well at higher temperatures.

Start Indoors
Yes
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Part shade (Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot)

Chives will grow in part shade, but they will be much more productive in full sun.

Water
Moderate

Chives are pretty drought tolerant and don't need a lot of watering. However the soil should be kept moist for maximum productivity.

Feeder
Light

Like other members of the Onion family, it is a fairly light feeder.

Suitability
Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade
Small Gardens?
Yes
Containers?
Yes

Chives are an excellent candidate for container growing. Plant in a container at least 6" deep. Chives grow best in well-drained soil, so be careful not to overly water your plants. Make sure they have access to sunlight as well as partial shade. They can be potted and moved indoors to provide a fresh supply for cooking all year.

Attracts beneficial insects?
Yes
Color
Green
Fruit Size
- "
Plant Height
8.0 - 12.0"
Plant Diameter
- "
Hardiness Zone
3-9
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile

Mild oniony flavor

Rotation Group
Perennial