Fresh bundle of chives with long, thin green stalks and white bulb ends, isolated on a transparent background.

CHIVES

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FULL SUN

6+ hours of direct sunlight daily

☼ More sun = more flavor ☼

Chives will appear leggy in low light conditions, so make sure they are in a bright spot!

In super hot climates, or days of harsh sun, consider placing your chives somewhere they can get afternoon shade. A little break from the sun will prevent wilted, crispy leaves.

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Cartoon water droplet character smiling and flashing a peace sign while holding a yellow watering can. Surrounded by flowers, bees, and grass, wearing pink sneakers.

Keep this herb consistently moist

Chives want a steady swig of water without feeling drowned. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, making sure it has good drainage.

KEEP SOIL MOIST

Chives prefer moderate humidity.

They aren’t picky, so indoor humidity is fine. In drier environments, a humidifier can help prevent the leaf tips from drying out.

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Groovy Root mascot. A cartoon red flower pot character happily planting a seedling with a trowel, surrounded by dirt, smiling flowers, bees, and a second small pot. Wearing blue sneakers.

soil needs

Chives dig a moist, well-draining mix that stays cool and lightly damp.

 When choosing a potting mix for chives, look for mixes that include:

ᯓ Perlite ᯓ

Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

ᯓ Coco Coir ᯓ

Helps retain moisture without creating a swampy environment.

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Groovy Root mascot. A cartoon red flower pot character with rosemary growing from its top, smiling and flashing a peace sign. Surrounded by grass, smiling emojis, a daisy, a heart, and bees. Wearing blue shoes and sparkling with confidence.

Harvesting

You can start harvesting when chives are a few inches tall. Snip away as much as you need.

Try to regularly trim every 1 to 2 weeks to keep the herb from getting overly tall.

⊹ Use Clean Scissors or Fingers ⊹

Always use sanitized scissors or pinch off stems with clean hands to prevent spreading germs.

⊹ Identify the Pruning Spot ⊹

Focus on snipping taller, older leaves. For best flavor, snip leaves before they bloom or just as buds appear.

⊹ Make Clean Cuts ⊹

Trim about an inch above the soil line to encourage fresh growth. Remove any flower stalks to prevent the plant from producing seeds. Or keep them if you prefer to!

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Common Issues

  • A sign of not enough sunlight.

    If you notice your chives are looking leggy and losing their color, try moving them to a sunnier spot to soak up more rays.

  • Likely due to soil kept too dry or too much direct sunlight.

    Trim off browned tips. Check in on the soil, and make sure it is kept slightly moist (not soggy!). Consider moving your chives to an area where it can get some shade from harsh afternoon sun.

  • Hot weather or long daylight hours can cause chives to bolt.

    Unlike basil or cilantro, when chives bolt it is not really a cause for concern! The flowers do not negatively impact the taste of chive leaves. However, bolting can slow leaf growth.

    Feel free to keep the blooms for aesthetics, reseeding, or to harvest for eating.

    If you’d like to do without, you can snip them off as you please.

  • A sign of not enough sunlight.

    Remember, for most herbs, more sun means more flavor! Consider moving your chives to a brighter spot if their flavor isn’t packing the same punch.

Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Make sure to watch out for these creepy crawlers:

𖢥 Aphids

𖢥 Spider Mites

𖢥 Thrips

𖢥 Whiteflies

NOT PET SAFE

Chives can be mildly toxic to pets if ingested. If you have pets, keep this herb out of their reach.

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