Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Reduce watering slightly during cooler months, but never let the soil become completely dry, especially when grown in containers.
Also known as Angle Onion · Mouse Garlic · Wild Chives
Chives (Allium angulosum) are a perennial herb with a mild onion flavor, featuring delicate purple or pink flowers and edible leaves and blooms. Easy to grow.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and flavor.
Regular
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist, allowing the top inch to dry slightly between waterings.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in temperatures between 15-24°C. Can tolerate cooler or warmer conditions if kept appropriately watered.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
All parts are generally considered safe for consumption, but large quantities may cause mild digestive upset in some individuals. The plant is not known to be toxic to pets or humans.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Reduce watering slightly during cooler months, but never let the soil become completely dry, especially when grown in containers.
Regularly harvest the leaves by cutting them back to about 2-3 cm above the soil line. This encourages new growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy.
Remove any yellowing or spent foliage to maintain plant health.
Chives are easily propagated by division or from seed. Divide established clumps in early spring or fall by gently pulling them apart into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots.
Sow seeds indoors in spring or directly outdoors after the last frost.
Container-grown chives should be repotted every 1-2 years, or when they become root-bound. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one. Refresh the soil with a good quality potting mix during repotting.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Chives (Allium angulosum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Genus | Allium |
| Species | Allium angulosum |
Similar in genus Allium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
