CHIVES

Bunch of green onions on a white background

Black outline of a thumbs-up gesture on a white background

Pretty Chil

Black sun icon with rays on a white background

Full Sunlight

Keep Soil Moist

Perennial

Not Pet Safe

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chives grow as a perennial in zones 3 to 10. In zones below 3, they are best grown as an annual.

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.

View Zone Map

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!

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

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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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

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

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!

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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.

Cartoon water droplet character with a watering can and flowers on a white background

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.

Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.

Small white pot filled with soil and small white stones on a wooden surface

Cartoon pot with face holding a trowel, surrounded by plants and flowers on a white background

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.