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