How to Grow Chives

A perennial that plants once

Chives are a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial growing to about 10 to 12 inches tall, which means you plant them once and harvest for years. They prefer full sun and tolerate a wide variety of soils, but grow best in soil high in organic matter.

The quickest way in is division: lift and split an existing clump in early spring, with each piece containing about 4 to 6 bulbs. You can also grow from seed sown in spring, but seed is slow to germinate and takes 4 to 6 weeks to produce a transplant.

The when-to-plant-chives and chives-spacing calculators handle the timing and spacing decisions on their own.

Harvesting and dividing

Harvest by cutting leaves toward the base, about an inch above the soil, and do it throughout the season — regular cutting keeps the leaves from getting tough and encourages new bulblets to form.

The pink flowers that appear in mid-summer are edible and make a good garnish. But note the trade-off: chives self-sow and can overtake a garden unless the flowers are removed before they fade.

To keep plantings vigorous and stop them becoming overcrowded, divide the clumps every 2 to 3 years. The when-to-harvest-chives calculator covers the cutting-timing question on its own.

Containers and winter

Chives grow easily in pots set in a sunny location; use containers with good drainage and a prepared soil mix. This makes them a natural windowsill herb.

For the best potted plants, dig a clump from the garden after a freeze in December or January — the cold rest period helps them push fresh growth indoors.

Outdoors the foliage dies back in winter and returns on its own each spring, so no replanting is needed.

Sources

Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.

• Illinois Extension — Chives (Herbs) — Chives are a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial growing about 10-12 inches tall, preferring full sun and tolerating a wide variety of soils but growing best in soils high in organic matter; most commonly propagated by dividing clumps in early spring with each clump containing about 4-6 bulbs, or grown from seed sown in spring that is slow to germinate and takes 4-6 weeks to make a transplant; harvest by cutting leaves toward the base about one inch above the soil throughout the season to prevent tough leaves and encourage new bulblets; divide plants every 2-3 years to keep them vigorous; pink flowers appear in mid-summer and are edible; chives can self-sow and overtake a garden unless flowers are removed before they fade; grow easily in pots with good drainage, and clumps can be dug after a freeze (December-January) for indoor pots.

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