Allium schoenoprasum

Plant Family

Liliaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Allium schoenoprasum

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Chives, Cultivated Chives, Garden Chives

General Description

Chives are a bulbous perennial grown primarily for their edible, pungent, dark-green foliage. As a bonus, pale purple or white clover-like flower heads bloom from spring to summer. This far-flung and diverse onion is native to much of the northern hemsiphere. Cultivars include the rose-pink-flowered 'Forescate'.

Plant the bulbs in fertile, well drained soil at a depth two to three times their width. Once established, chives tolerate some drought. Lift and divide the clumps only when they become crowded. The leaves can be chopped or snipped all season and used as a garnish with delicate onion flavor. Plant chives in groups in the alpine bed, rock garden, or herb and vegetable garden.

Characteristics

• Sunset Zone

  A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Bulb or Corm or Tuber

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  6"-24" / 15.2cm - 61.0cm

• Width

  6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm

• Native To

  World/Pandemic, North America, Europe, Russia/Siberia, Northern Africa, Asia, India

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Neutral

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Medium

• Water Requirements

  Drought Tolerant, Average Water

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Fruit Color

  Yellow Green

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Light Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Chartreuse

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Yellow Green

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  Yes

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  Yes

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  No

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Matte

• Evergreen

  Semi-Evergreen

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Edging, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  No

• Attracts

  Hummingbirds, Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  Yes