Chives Allium schoenoprasum
ABOUT
Chives, known as Allium schoenoprasum, sport a delicate and graceful appearance. This perennial plant is often recognized by its vibrant green, hollow, and tube-shaped leaves that taper to a fine point. The foliage, with a texture resembling that of grass, grows in dense clumps, presenting a lush and soft visual quality. During the blooming season, chives produce charming, globular flowers. These blossoms appear in shades of light purple to pink and are composed of many smaller individual florets that come together to form a pom-pom-like structure, sitting atop slender stems that rise just above the foliage. The leaves and flowers of chives, with their subtle aesthetic, frequently garnish gardens with a splash of color and provide a light, onion-like fragrance.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Amaryllidaceae.
Synonyms
Chives, Garden Chives, Common Chives, Culinary Chives, Wild Chives, Siberian Chives.
Common names
Allium sibiricum, Cepa schoenoprasa, Schoenoprasum vulgare, Porrum schoenoprasum, Allium schoenoprasum var. sibiricum.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
1 feet (30 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Eurasia
Benefits
General Benefits- Culinary Uses: Allium schoenoprasum, commonly known as chives, is widely used in cooking for its mild onion-like flavor, enhancing dishes such as soups, salads, and egg recipes.
- Nutritional Value: Chives are low in calories yet high in beneficial nutrients, including vitamins A and C, and contain trace amounts of potassium and iron.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its delicate purple flowers and slender green stalks, chives can add ornamental value to gardens and attract pollinators such as bees.
- Easy to Grow: Chives are a hardy and drought-tolerant plant, making them an easy addition to many gardens, and can be grown indoors as well.
- Culinary Garnish: The vibrant green stems of chives are often used as a fresh garnish, providing a pop of color and flavor to a variety of dishes.
- Companion Planting: When planted near other crops in the garden, chives can help deter pests and even improve the flavor of vegetables such as tomatoes and carrots.
- Herb Garden Staple: Chives are a perennial plant and a classic component of herb gardens, offering a reliable source of fresh herbs throughout the growing season.
- Space Efficiency: Due to their compact growth habit, chives are suitable for small gardens, containers, and even windowsills, making them accessible for urban gardeners.
Medical Properties- Vitamin K Content: Chives, the common name for Allium schoenoprasum, provide a good source of vitamin K, which is important for bone health and blood clotting processes.
- Antioxidant Effects: Chives contain various antioxidants such as quercetin that may help protect cells from oxidative damage.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: The flavonoids and other compounds found in chives may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Digestive Health: Chives are traditionally thought to stimulate digestion and reduce flatulence.
- Cardiovascular Support: Some research suggests that the sulfur compounds present in chives can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Immune Support: Chives are a source of vitamin C and other nutrients that are fundamental in supporting the immune system.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Companion planting: Chives are known to repel pests from other plants such as aphids, making them a useful companion plant in gardens.
- Animal bedding: Dried chives can be used in small amounts to add a fresh scent to animal bedding, particularly for small pets like rabbits or hamsters.
- Mildew prevention: Chive infusion can be used as a natural fungicide to prevent mildew when sprayed over plants in a garden setting.
- Plant dye: The flowers can be used to make a light pink dye for fabrics or crafts.
- Marker plants: Gardeners can plant chives to mark the edges of garden beds or pathways due to their consistent growth pattern and easily identifiable foliage.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried chive flowers can serve as a biodegradable alternative to traditional confetti at celebrations.
- Soil improvement: Chive plants can help to break up compact soil with their roots, improving soil structure over time.
- Educational tool: Chive plants can be used in educational settings to teach children about plant life cycles and gardening.
- Decorative borders: With their attractive flowers and neat growth habit, chives can be planted to create decorative borders in landscaping.
- Flavor enhancement: Chives can be infused in oils or vinegars to create flavor-enhanced cooking ingredients for culinary use.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Chives is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Chives is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Allium schoenoprasum, commonly known as chives, is often associated with protection. It was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
- Purity: Due to its strong aromatic qualities, chives symbolize purity and cleanliness, as it was thought to purify areas and dispel negativity.
- Endurance: Chives are a hardy plant that can survive harsh conditions, symbolizing strength and the ability to overcome challenges.
- Good Fortune: In some cultures, chives are believed to bring good luck and prosperity when planted around a home.
WaterFor chives (Allium schoenoprasum), water them regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, this often means watering them with approximately 1 inch of water per week, depending on the local weather conditions and soil type. If you're using a container, water until you see water running out of the drainage holes, indicating the soil is fully saturated. In hotter, drier periods, you may need to water more frequently; in cooler, wetter conditions, less often. Always check the top inch of the soil; if it’s dry, it’s time to water.
LightChives (Allium schoenoprasum) thrive best in full sun, which means they should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot would be in a garden bed or in a pot placed in a south-facing location where they can soak in plenty of light throughout the day. However, they can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates where they may benefit from protection during the peak afternoon sun.
TemperatureChives (Allium schoenoprasum) prefer moderate temperatures and grow well in the 60°F to 70°F range. They can tolerate a minimum temperature down to about 40°F before they stop growing and a maximum temperature of approximately 85°F before growth may be affected. Ideal growing conditions for chives are cool to warm temperatures without extremes.
PruningChives (Allium schoenoprasum) should be pruned to keep the plants healthy and to encourage a continuous supply of fresh leaves. Snip off the tips of the stems with scissors to use in your cooking, cutting as close to the base as you can to promote new growth. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, helps prevent self-seeding and encourages denser foliage. The best time for pruning is when you notice the stems are getting long and the plant is looking a bit unkempt.
CleaningAs needed
SoilChives thrive in well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good mix can be made by combining garden soil, compost, and a bit of sand or perlite to improve drainage.
RepottingChives should be repotted every 1-2 years to replenish the soil and give their roots more space. If they become too crowded, you can divide the clumps when repotting.
Humidity & MistingChives prefer a moderate humidity level and can generally adapt to the ambient humidity found in most homes without the need for any special adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place chives in bright light and water when soil feels dry.
Outdoor
Plant chives in full sun to partial shade; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleChives (Allium schoenoprasum) begin their life cycle with seed germination, which generally occurs in spring when soil temperatures warm. The seeds develop into small bulbs, which further sprout into grass-like leaves that grow in clumps. As the plant matures, it undergoes vegetative growth characterized by the elongation of leaves and the development of its distinctive onion-like flavor. During the early summer months, chives produce globular purple flowers atop long stems, which are attractive to pollinators and can result in seed formation upon fertilization. After flowering, seeds can be collected and dispersed, allowing the cycle of germination to begin anew. In the autumn, the plant dies back to the bulb, with the bulb becoming dormant over the winter, ready to regrow the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Chives, known by their scientific name Allium schoenoprasum, can be propagated most effectively through division. Ideally, division should be done in the spring or early fall for best plant establishment. To propagate chives by division, carefully dig up an established clump of chives, ensuring to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with a portion of the roots and several shoots. Replant the sections at the same depth they were growing originally, spacing them about 6 to 8 inches (approximately 15 to 20 centimeters) apart in well-drained, fertile soil. Ensure adequate water and light to encourage the divisions to establish quickly, leading to the growth of new, healthy chive plants.
