PLANTING SEEDS
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Create a seed hole in the soil (about 1/4"). Take a pinch of chive seeds and sprinkle them into the seed hole.
2
Lightly cover the seed hole with soil and water the soil until evenly moist.
3
Set your seed pot in the sun and keep the soil moist until you see sprouts. Then follow the care guide below.
Chive seeds germinate within 7-10 days.
Info
Chives grow as a perennial in zones 3 to 10. In zones below 3, they are best grown as an annual. This is a cool season crop.
Plant in early spring or fall. If you live in zones 9 or above, fall planting is best.
A USDA hardiness zone map shows you the average annual extreme minimum temperature in your area. This helps you know which plants can survive there.
FULL SUNLIGHT
More sun = more flavor
In super hot climates, or on days of harsher sun, consider placing chives somewhere it can get afternoon shade. A little break from the sun will prevent wilted, crispy leaves.
6+ HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY
Chives will appear leggy in low light conditions, so make sure they are in a bright spot!
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
✔ BEST PICK FOR CHIVES
EAST FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
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KEEP SOIL 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.
MODERATE HUMIDITY
Chives aren’t picky, so indoor humidity is fine. In drier environments, a humidifier can help prevent the leaf tips from drying out.
SOIL
Chives need soil that drains well but stays lightly moist.
The best store-bought option is a standard indoor potting mix since it is already formulated for herbs like chives.
If you'd like to add something to help with drainage, mix in a bit of perlite.
PERLITE
PERLITE
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
HARVESTING
ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS
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.
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!
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOWING
A sign of overwatering or poor drainage of the pot. Although basil prefers moist conditions, soil that remains soggy can lead to root rot.
Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
BROWN LEAF TIPS
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 the chives to an area where it can get some shade from harsh afternoon sun.
FLOWERING (BOLTING)
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.
WEAK FLAVOR
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.
LEGGY/PALE
A definite sign of not enough sunlight.
If you notice chives looking leggy and weak, it's time to move it to a brighter spot.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
Aphids
Spider Mites
Whiteflies
Thrips
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