Growing chives indoors is easy, making them an excellent choice for beginner herb gardeners. This perennial herb, Allium schoenoprasum, adapts well to containers and provides a steady supply of fresh, mildly onion-flavored foliage year-round. Cultivating chives on a windowsill or under a grow light allows you to enjoy their unique taste regardless of the outdoor season. With basic supplies and an understanding of their environmental preferences, you can successfully maintain a continuous harvest.
Getting Started: Materials and Sourcing
The initial setup requires a container with adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot. Chives have a shallow root system, so a pot about 6 to 8 inches deep is sufficient, though a wider container allows for more growth and clump division. Terracotta pots are recommended because their porous material allows excess moisture to evaporate, aiding drainage and root health. A well-draining potting mix, ideally one formulated for herbs, should fill the container.
You have three primary methods for starting your indoor chive plant: planting seeds, purchasing a small potted plant, or dividing an outdoor clump. Starting from seed is the slowest method, requiring 60 days until harvest. Purchasing a small plant provides an almost immediate harvest, but dividing an existing outdoor clump is often the most successful technique. Gently separating a 2- to 3-inch section with roots attached and replanting it indoors provides an established root system that adapts quickly.
Providing the Necessary Environment Indoors
Meeting the light requirements is often the biggest hurdle for indoor chive cultivation, as they prefer full sun. The plant requires at least six to eight hours of bright light daily for vigorous growth and flavor development. A south-facing window is the optimal natural light source, but rotate the plant every few days to ensure even light and prevent leaning. If natural light is insufficient, supplemental full-spectrum LED or fluorescent grow lights are necessary. Position the light source 6 to 12 inches above the foliage and keep it on for 12 to 16 hours per day.
Chives thrive in standard indoor temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. Consistency in watering is important, but overwatering must be avoided to prevent root rot. Water the container deeply until excess liquid drains from the bottom, but only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering cycles is better than keeping it constantly saturated.
Caring for and Harvesting Your Chives
Regular harvesting encourages the chive plant to produce new growth, which is softer and has better flavor. To harvest, use sharp scissors to cut the leaves one to two inches above the soil line. Always cut the outer stalks first, leaving the newer growth in the center to continue developing. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the foliage at any one time to allow the plant to recover quickly. Indoor chives benefit from light feeding every four to six weeks using a half-strength water-soluble liquid fertilizer.
Indoor chives are generally resistant to pests due to their natural aroma, but occasional issues with fungus gnats or aphids can occur. Spraying the affected foliage with a solution of mild soapy water can deter most common indoor pests. After a year of continuous indoor growth, chives may benefit from a brief period of dormancy. This can be simulated by placing the plant in a cool, dark location for several weeks, prompting more vigorous regrowth afterward.