Chives Allium schoenoprasum
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Amaryllidaceae family. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Chives in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chives at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, flowers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Chives toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts
Chives are toxic to cats and dogs, as with other alliums.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chives
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Legumes (pea family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Legumes (pea family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- White rot: Allium white rot survives in soil for 15+ years; never move infected soil. Evidence B
Questions about Chives
- How far apart should I plant Chives?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Chives need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chives need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Chives?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Chives flower?
- From about May for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chives poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Chives are toxic to cats and dogs, as with other alliums.
- What grows well with Chives?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chives. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Onion Allium cepa
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- Garlic Allium sativum
- Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
- Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
- Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
- Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum
- Welsh onion (scallion) Allium fistulosum