Chives

Basic Information

Seed Number

215

Seed Name

Chives

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Herb

Plant Family

Amaryllidaceae

Plant Type

Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Apr 1 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 6 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

60 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

Not recorded

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

6-8 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun; tolerates light shade

Water Needs

Maintain moderate, even moisture

Soil Preference

Well-drained soil rich in organic matter; pH 6.0-7.0

Minimum Container Size

excellent in containers

Plant Height

12-18 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Utah State Extension; True Leaf Market; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost or direct sow in early spring
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow/transplant about Apr 1 – Aug 15
Germination Time: About 10–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Begin light harvest once plants are well established; roughly 60+ days from seed
Container Friendly: Yes; excellent in containers
Pollinator Friendly: Yes when flowering; purple blooms attract bees
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Yes; culinary herb with traditional herbal use
Perennial?: Yes; hardy perennial
Succession / Reusable Notes: Cut leaves repeatedly; divide mature clumps every 3–4 years. Flowers/seed can be allowed for pollinators or removed to reduce self-seeding.
Zone 6B Notes: Very hardy in Zone 6B and returns yearly. Mulch lightly after planting the first season.
Companion Plants: Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, brassicas and other herbs
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid waterlogged soil. Established clumps can become crowded and benefit from division every few years.
Sources: Utah State Extension: https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/chives-in-the-garden | True Leaf Market: https://trueleafmarket.com/pages/grow-chives | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Chives are hardy perennials in Southeast Michigan and return reliably each spring.
Germination: Can be grown from seed, although division of established clumps is faster and more reliable.
Harvest: Snip leaves near the base as needed. Flowers are also edible.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to mature and dry before collecting black seed. Chives also spread gradually by clump expansion.
Special Care: Divide crowded clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden/growing-chives — full sun, light-shade tolerance, soil pH, organic-matter preference, indoor growing and harvest from the base
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/growing-herbs — chives as a perennial herb and propagation by division
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]