edenhana

Chives

A clump-forming perennial allium that's easy to grow from seed or division and regrows quickly after cutting.

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Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
15cm
Harvest
Ready in 35-50 days
Difficulty
beginner
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
Continuous snipping once established
Cost to grow
~$5 NZD
Grocery value
~$18 NZD
Companion plants
Carrots, Tomatoes
Plants to avoid nearby
Beans, Peas
Common diseases
Rust
Common pests
Aphids, Onion thrips

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: August-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-October.

Growing stages

  1. Germination & planting

    • Easy to start from seed or by dividing an existing clump
    • Space plants around 15cm apart, since they form spreading clumps over time

  2. Establishment

    • Keep soil evenly moist as young plants establish
    • Watch for onion thrips and aphids on new growth

  3. Ongoing growth & harvest35-50 days from sowing, then continuous

    • Snip leaves close to the base; chives regrow quickly after cutting
    • Rust can appear as orange spots on leaves, especially in humid conditions
    • Keep in full sun for the strongest, most productive growth

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