Chives, a member of the Allium genus alongside onions and garlic, are much more than just a culinary herb. They are a perennial plant with a mild, delicate onion flavor that grows in dense clumps of slender, grass-like leaves. The practice of companion planting involves strategically placing different plant species near each other to create a mutually beneficial environment. This method leverages natural plant interactions to enhance growth, improve flavor, or provide protection from common garden pests.
The Role of Chives in Companion Planting
The primary benefit of chives in a garden setting comes from their biological defense mechanism. As an Allium, chives contain sulfur compounds, which produce a strong, pungent aroma. This scent acts as a natural bio-repellent, effectively confusing or deterring common garden pests that rely on smell to locate their host plants. The sulfurous compounds are particularly effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, Japanese beetles, and the destructive carrot rust fly. Beyond insect control, chives also exhibit fungicidal properties that can help suppress certain plant diseases, such as black spot on roses.
Ideal Planting Partners for Chives
Chives are a highly versatile companion, offering pest and disease protection to numerous garden residents. Pairing them with specific vegetables can lead to healthier plants and sometimes improved flavor and yield.
Planting chives around carrots is known to repel the carrot rust fly, whose larvae tunnel into the roots. Tomatoes also benefit greatly from chive proximity, as the herb’s strong scent helps deter nuisances like aphids and spider mites. This reduction in pest pressure allows the tomato plant to allocate more energy toward fruit production.
In the brassica family, plants like cabbage and broccoli are often plagued by cabbage worms and loopers, and the presence of chives can help confuse and repel these damaging insects.
Beyond the vegetable patch, chives offer significant protection to fruits and ornamentals. Placing chives near strawberry plants can help deter various small animals and insects that might target the fruit. The herb’s pest-repelling qualities also extend to fruit trees, with chives planted beneath apple trees reportedly helping to prevent apple scab, a common fungal disease.
In the flower garden, chives are a long-standing companion for roses. The sulfur compounds released by chives can help prevent or lessen the severity of black spot. Furthermore, the chives’ ability to repel aphids and Japanese beetles makes them a valuable partner for protecting the delicate foliage and blooms of rose bushes.
Plants That Should Not Be Near Chives
While chives are helpful to many, they are not universally compatible, and certain plants should be kept at a distance.
The most notable conflict occurs with members of the legume family, specifically beans and peas. Chives can inhibit the growth of these plants and reduce their overall yield. This incompatibility is likely due to the natural antibacterial properties of the Allium family, which can interfere with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live on the roots of legumes. Disrupting this process stunts the legume’s growth. The strong, clumping growth habit of chives also creates competition for water and soil nutrients.
Another important pairing to avoid is planting chives near perennial asparagus beds. Alliums are believed to inhibit the growth of asparagus, and their dense root systems can interfere with the perennial asparagus crowns. The competition for moisture and nutrients in the soil can severely stunt the asparagus shoots, leading to a diminished harvest.
Finally, planting chives with other members of the Allium family, such as onions or garlic, is discouraged despite their similar needs. Grouping them increases the risk of spreading shared pests and diseases that specifically target the Allium genus. Isolating chives from their relatives is a simple way to practice better disease management in the garden.