Chives
A clump-forming perennial allium that's easy to grow from seed or division and regrows quickly after cutting.
- 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
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
Establishment
- Keep soil evenly moist as young plants establish
- Watch for onion thrips and aphids on new growth
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