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Vegetable

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Chives are a hardy perennial herb with a mild onion-like flavour, prized for their slender green leaves and edible purple flowers. They are commonly used as a garnish, in salads, or to enhance soups and egg dishes, adding both taste and visual appeal. With proper care, chives can be grown indoors year-round in a kitchen for a fresh supply.

Chives

Quick Information

Height
30cm
Sun
Full Sun
Water
Moderate Water

Planting Calendar

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Growing Guide for

1
Sow seeds indoors

03 Mar 2025 - 17 Mar 2025

Sow seeds 0.5cm deep in pots or trays with well-draining compost. Keep the soil moist and place in a warm spot (15-20°C) until germination.

Cover with a thin layer of compost to aid germination.
Expect sprouts in 7-14 days.

2
Transplant seedlings

14 Apr 2025 - 14 Apr 2025

Move seedlings to their final position outdoors or into larger pots, spacing them 15cm apart in fertile, well-drained soil.

Harden off plants for a week before transplanting if moving outdoors.
Water well after planting to settle roots.

3
Set up for year-round kitchen growth

03 Mar 2025 - Ongoing

Place a pot of established chives on a sunny kitchen windowsill or under a grow light. Use well-draining soil in a container at least 15cm deep.

Ensure at least 6 hours of light daily; supplement with a grow light in winter.
Rotate the pot weekly for even growth.

4
Maintain plants

21 Apr 2025 - Ongoing

Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Remove weeds and mulch lightly outdoors, or keep the kitchen pot clean.

Avoid overwatering indoors to prevent root rot.
Cut back flower stems to encourage leaf growth if not harvesting blooms.

5
Fertilize lightly

14 May 2025 - Ongoing

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, or monthly indoors year-round, to support healthy foliage.

Use a diluted solution to avoid altering the flavour.
Compost or organic matter can be a natural alternative.

6
Harvest leaves and flowers

02 May 2025 - Ongoing

Snip leaves from the outer edges of the clump when they reach 15-20cm, and harvest flowers as they bloom for culinary use, indoors or out.

Harvest regularly to promote new growth year-round.
Use sharp scissors to avoid damaging the plant.

7
Divide clumps

03 Mar 2027 - Ongoing

Every 2-3 years, lift and divide large clumps in spring or autumn, or repot kitchen plants if they outgrow their container.

Replant divisions immediately and water well.
For indoor plants, split and repot into fresh soil.

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