Chives
Lift and divide congested clumps every 3-4 years in spring — this keeps leaf production vigorous and is also the easiest way to propagate more plants.
Care
Dislikes drying out completely for long periods.
Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, or a pot of good quality compost.
Not applicable in the usual sense; cut leaves back hard to around 5cm after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of tender new growth for the kitchen.
A light balanced feed as growth starts, and another after a hard cut-back, keeps the leaves coming tender. A pot-grown clump needs it more than one in the ground, which will otherwise go thin and tough by midsummer.
Divide the clump in spring or early autumn: lift it, pull it apart into small bunches of a dozen bulblets each, and replant. Doing it every two or three years is what stops an old clump becoming woody and sparse.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilBegin regular cutting of leaves for the kitchen as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneEnjoy the edible pink-purple flowers, also attractive to pollinators.
- JulyCut the whole clump back hard after flowering to encourage fresh, tender regrowth.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilBegin regular cutting of leaves for the kitchen as growth picks up. how ›
- JuneEnjoy the edible pink-purple flowers, also attractive to pollinators.
- JulyCut the whole clump back hard after flowering to encourage fresh, tender regrowth.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchBegin regular cutting of leaves for the kitchen as growth picks up. how ›
- MayEnjoy the edible pink-purple flowers, also attractive to pollinators.
- JulyCut the whole clump back hard after flowering to encourage fresh, tender regrowth.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchBegin regular cutting of leaves for the kitchen as growth picks up. how ›
- MayEnjoy the edible pink-purple flowers, also attractive to pollinators.
- JulyCut the whole clump back hard after flowering to encourage fresh, tender regrowth.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Orange pustules on leaves in humid conditions.
What to do. Remove and dispose of affected leaves, improve airflow.
How to spot it. Reduced vigour after several years.
What to do. Lift and divide.
How to spot it. Less common on chives than on onions, but can occur.
What to do. Use fine mesh covers if a problem locally.
Questions
Chives: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
One of the easiest herbs for a windowsill pot or container, given reasonably good light.
Chives: when do you prune it?
Not applicable in the usual sense; cut leaves back hard to around 5cm after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of tender new growth for the kitchen.
Chives: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A light balanced feed as growth starts, and another after a hard cut-back, keeps the leaves coming tender. A pot-grown clump needs it more than one in the ground, which will otherwise go thin and tough by midsummer. Feeding months, UK: April, June.