🌿 Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

herbs Perennial herb Amaryllidaceae (Allium)

☀️ Sun

Full sun to partial shade; 4-6 hours.

💧 Water

Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist.

🗺️ Zones

USDA zones 3-9 as perennial. Requires winter chill.

🧪 Soil pH

6.0-7.0 (prefers rich, well-drained soil)

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-draining; pH 6.0-7.0. Add compost.

📏 Spacing

8-12 inches apart

📐 Height

12-18 inches

⏱️ Maturity

60 days from seed; harvest within 30 days from transplants

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Leaves 🍽️ Flowers (edible, beautiful garnish) 🍽️ Scapes

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (12)

🤝 Apples

Repels apple scab and aphids; traditional orchard companion.

🤝 Asparagus

Chives deter asparagus beetles and aphids; their sulfur compounds may help suppress fungal diseases in asparagus beds. A well-documented companion pair recommended by multiple extension services.

🤝 Bell Pepper

Chives repel aphids and spider mites from peppers; antifungal properties protect roots.

🤝 Carrots

Repels carrot rust fly; improves carrot growth.

🤝 Chervil

Both thrive in similar partial shade conditions; chives deter pests from chervil's delicate foliage.

🤝 Grapes

Repels pests in vineyards; traditional companion.

🤝 Lettuce

Repels aphids and other pests.

🤝 Parsley

Chives repel aphids that target parsley; complementary growing conditions.

🤝 Roses

Repels aphids and black spot from roses. A classic companion , many rose gardens include chives.

🤝 Strawberries

Strong onion scent repels many strawberry pests.

🤝 Tomato

Chives deter aphids and improve tomato growth; their sulfur compounds repel pests.

⚠️ Keep Apart (2)

⚠️ Beans

Alliums (including chives) inhibit bean growth through root exudates.

⚠️ Peas

Same allium-legume antagonism , inhibits pea growth.

💊 Medicinal Uses

Conditions Treated

💊 Digestive sluggishness (mild digestive stimulant) 💊 High blood pressure (allicin compounds , same family as garlic, milder) 💊 Poor circulation (warming circulatory stimulant) 💊 Common cold and respiratory infections (antimicrobial sulfur compounds) 💊 Intestinal parasites (mild vermifuge , traditional) 💊 Loss of appetite (stimulates digestive secretions)

Preparation Methods

Culinary medicine: Regular dietary inclusion , the best way to use chives medicinally
Chive vinegar: Chive flowers infused in vinegar as a digestive tonic
Infused oil: Chive in olive oil (use fresh; refrigerate , botulism risk with garlic/oil preparations)
Poultice: Crushed leaves applied to minor wounds (mild antimicrobial)
Tea: Not commonly used as tea , mostly culinary medicine

Active Compounds

⚗️ Allicin (milder than garlic) ⚗️ Sulfur compounds ⚗️ Flavonoids ⚗️ Vitamin C ⚗️ Vitamin K

⚠️ Safety

Generally very safe. Large amounts may cause digestive upset. Dogs and cats are sensitive to alliums , chives are toxic to pets (can cause hemolytic anemia). Oil infusions must be refrigerated and used within days (botulism risk).

📜 History & Folklore

🏛️ Ancient

Used in ancient China (from 3000 BCE). Romans believed chives could relieve sunburn pain and sore throat. Marco Polo reported chives in Asia.

🏰 Medieval

Used in monastery gardens. Hung in bunches to ward off evil spirits and disease. Gypsies used chives in fortune-telling. Chive flowers were used in posies and nosegays.

🌿 Folk Medicine

European folk medicine used chives similarly to onions but in milder preparations. Given to people with 'delicate constitutions' who found onions too strong. Flowers floated in soups as both garnish and mild medicine.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

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