Chives: The Herb That Comes Back Every Year
Chives are a perennial herb that produces for years. Cut them to 2 inches and they regrow. The easiest herb for beginners.
Chives are almost impossible to kill. They survive frost, drought, and neglect.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to sprout | 10-14 |
| Days to harvest | 60+ |
| Sun | 4-6 hours |
| Spacing | 6 inches |
| Lifespan | Perennial (5+ years) |
| Flavor | Mild onion |
Why Grow It
- Perennial. Comes back every year.
- Cut-and-come-again. Cut to 2 inches, regrows in 2 weeks.
- Cold-hardy. Survives frost.
- Edible flowers. Purple flowers are edible.
How It Fails
Failure 1: Slow germination. 10-14 days. Be patient. Failure 2: Rot in wet soil. Needs drainage. Failure 3: Crowded clumps. Divide every 2-3 years.
Comparison
| Variety | Flavor | Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common chives | Mild onion | Perennial | Standard |
| Garlic chives | Garlic | Perennial | Flat leaves |
| Giant Siberian | Mild | Perennial | Larger |
Common Questions
Do chives come back every year? Yes. Perennial in most zones.
How do I harvest? Cut to 2 inches. Regrows in 2 weeks.
Can I grow them indoors? Yes. 4-6 hours of light.
Are the flowers edible? Yes. Mild onion flavor.
How do I divide them? Dig up clump in spring. Split with knife. Replant.
Why are they turning yellow? Overwatering or too crowded.