Chives – Indoor Herbal Garden

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a low maintenance, easy to grow perennial herb growing up to 10-12 inches tall. It is a relative of the onion. They grow in clumps from underground bulbs and produce round, hollow leaves that are much finer than onion. It produces soft, globe-like pinkish-purple flowers in spring on stalks to 12 inches tall or more. Leaves can be used to flavor salads, dips, soups, stews, vinegar, cheese dishes sour cream and butter. Flavor is considerably milder and more subtle than other members of the onion family.

Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum
Common Name: Chives

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Chives:

Light:
Chives require full sun or partial shade. Keep your plant up to 6-8 hours of direct sunlight exposure daily. They grow very slowly in cold temperatures.

Soil:
It can grow best in well-drained medium rich soil and it prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0

Temperature:
It will grow in temperatures from 40° to 85°F.

Water:
Water the plant whenever point soil feels dry. Keep the soil moist by watering regularly during prolonged dry periods in summer.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize chives by applying a slow grow fertilizer liberally to the plants, with a high nitrogen concentration.

Propagation:
Chives are propagated by seeds or by division. Seeds germinate slowly whereas divided clumps increase quickly. Chives should be divided every two or three years.

Harvest:
When chives are at least 6 inches tall, harvest leaves as needed with scissors, cutting them back close to the base of the plant. It will grow back quite quickly, so you will have a consistent supply of this fresh herb. Flowers can also be harvested for use as an edible garnish.

Pests and Diseases:
This plant naturally repels most insects, pests are not such a big problem with this particular plant. In any case, aphids can affect even this plant. The ideal approach to treat this pest is by washing the plant with neem or soapy water.