Chives are a popular and versatile herb, valued for their mild onion flavor. Understanding their growth stages, from seed to mature plant, helps gardeners provide proper care and ensures a continuous supply.
Germination from Seed
Chive seeds are typically sown in early spring. For optimal germination, they need consistent moisture and warmth, with soil temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (15°C and 21°C). Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil or a seed-starting mix.
Germination typically occurs within 7 to 21 days. If starting indoors, a warm windowsill or heated propagator can encourage faster, more uniform emergence. Once tiny, grass-like sprouts appear, they indicate the successful initiation of the chive plant’s growth cycle.
Seedling Development
After germination, chive sprouts develop into more robust seedlings. Healthy seedlings have slender, green, hollow leaves, similar to miniature grass blades. Consistent soil moisture, without waterlogging, supports root development during this stage.
When seedlings reach 2 to 4 inches tall or appear crowded, thin them to 4 to 8 inches apart. This prevents competition for nutrients and light, promoting stronger individual plants. If started indoors, gradually acclimate young chive plants to outdoor conditions over about 10 days before transplanting.
Established Growth and Harvesting
Established chive plants form dense clumps of upright, tubular leaves. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates. Chives prefer moist, fertile, well-draining soil, ideally amended with compost.
Harvesting can begin when leaves are at least 6 inches tall, typically 60 days after seeding or 30 days after transplanting. Use sharp scissors or shears to snip leaves from the outer part of the clump, cutting 1 to 2 inches above the soil line. Regular harvesting encourages more leaves and increased yield throughout the growing season.
For optimal flavor, harvest in the morning when leaves are lush. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure its vigor. Divide established clumps every three to four years in spring to prevent overcrowding and maintain productivity.
Flowering and Seed Production
In late spring or early summer, chive plants develop flower stalks with spherical, purple or pink blooms. These attractive flowers are edible, adding a mild onion flavor to salads or as a garnish. They also attract pollinators like bees to the garden.
Allowing chives to flower impacts leaf production, as the plant directs energy towards reproduction. For leaf harvest, snip off flower stalks before buds fully open to encourage continued leaf growth. If left to mature, flowers produce small, black, triangular seeds enclosed in papery capsules.
Once dry, these capsules split, releasing seeds that can self-sow, leading to new chive plants. While natural reseeding expands your chive patch, deadheading prevents unwanted spread and redirects energy back into foliage production.
Winter Dormancy and Perennial Cycle
Chives are herbaceous perennials, returning year after year from their rootstock. As temperatures drop in autumn, especially in colder climates, the top growth yellows and dies back, signaling winter dormancy.
During dormancy, underground bulbs and roots store energy for the next growing season. In mild climates, chives may remain evergreen, but in freezing regions, foliage typically perishes. New growth emerges vigorously from the roots in early spring as the weather warms. Dividing chive clumps every few years, in early spring or fall, helps maintain their health and productivity.