Chives Planting Guide

Chives are a hardy perennial herb with a mild onion flavor and attractive purple pom-pom flowers. They are one of the easiest herbs to grow and maintain.

Allium schoenoprasum · Herb · Amaryllidaceae family · 60–90 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Chives Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Chives?

Zone Compatibility for Chives Zones 3a – 10b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	—	May 22	Jul 24 – Sep 25
Zone 3b	—	—	May 17	Jul 19 – Sep 20
Zone 4a	—	—	May 13	Jul 15 – Sep 23
Zone 4b	—	—	May 8	Jul 10 – Sep 18
Zone 5a	—	—	May 2	Jul 4 – Sep 12
Zone 5b	—	—	Apr 25	Jun 27 – Sep 5
Zone 6a	—	—	Apr 17	Jun 19 – Aug 28
Zone 6b	—	—	Apr 10	Jun 12 – Aug 21
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	Jun 3 – Aug 12
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	May 27 – Aug 5
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	May 6 – Jul 15
Zone 9a	—	—	Feb 17	Apr 21 – Jun 30
Zone 9b	—	—	Feb 1	Apr 5 – Jun 14
Zone 10a	—	—	Jan 8	Mar 12 – May 21
Zone 10b	—	—	Jan 8	Mar 12 – May 21

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Chives is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Chives benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Chives

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 10b

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Amaryllidaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Amaryllidaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Chives

Chives matures in just 60–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Chives

✅ Good Companions

Carrots Tomatoes Lettuce

❌ Keep Away From

Peas Green Beans

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Chives

Start from seed or divisions in spring. Cut back to 2 inches after flowering to encourage fresh growth. Both the leaves and flowers are edible and delicious.

Saving Chives Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Chives by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Chives?

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Chives grow in?

Chives can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Chives need?

Growing Chives requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.

Blog