Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
[AL-ee-um skoy-no-PRAY-sum]

Deciduous Perennial Clumping-forming in the Amaryllidaceae Family
 
 
Available May 14
Size Notes Price Availability
8" Pot Field $7.33
Tray of 10 3" pots Field $34.35
Available May 21
Size Notes Price Availability
8" Pot Field $7.33
Tray of 10 3" pots Field $34.35
 

A member of the onion family, this perennial herb is easy to grow. The species itself is not especially ornamental (many of cultivars have pretty flowers), but both the leaves and flowers may be harvested for use in summer dishes, soups and salads, and the flowers are particularly attractive to bees.


Allium schoenoprasum can be used for edging paths and borders – particularly in the vegetable garden – and may also be used as a companion plant, deterring pests such as carrot root fly.


Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow. They do best when planted in full sun in rich, well-drained soil, although they will tolerate light shade (flowering may be reduced) and most soil types. They are easy to grow from seed or from divisions. Seeds can be started indoors a few weeks before the average date of last frost to be planted outside after the danger of frost is past, or can be direct seeded once the soil is warm.

Pros

  • Architectural flair
  • Pollinator magnets
  • Extremely low-maintenance
  • Deer-Resistant
  • Interesting seed heads months longer than blooms

Cons

  • Short bloom time
  • Oniony smell
  • Self-seeding
  • Leaves can flop or yellow before the flowers bloom
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 18 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Bulbs for Fall Planting, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Edible Foliage, Edibles, Full Sun, Herb, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Repel Unwanted Pests, Showy Flowers
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Purple
Foliage Color Green
 

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More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower (onions repel pests that prey on brassicas). Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, strawberries (onions repel aphids that love theses plants).
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/10
2024 : 02/08 - 05/18
2023 : 04/13 - 06/04


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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!