Allium Species, Asian Chives, Chinese Chives, Garlic Chives

Alliumtuberosum

Family
Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Allium (AL-ee-um)
Species
tuberosum (too-ber-OH-sum)
Synonym
Allium argyi
Allium clarkei
Allium roxburghii
Allium sulvia
Allium uliginosum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Shiny/Glossy
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
4.5 or below (very acidic)
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Phoenix, Arizona(2 reports)

Peel, Arkansas

Sherwood, Arkansas

Alameda, California

Amesti, California

Castro Valley, California

Chico, California

Corralitos, California

Elk Grove, California

Elkhorn, California

Interlaken, California

Los Angeles, California

Lucerne Valley, California

Merced, California

Pajaro, California

San Gabriel, California

Santa Barbara, California

Tracy, California

Watsonville, California

Aurora, Colorado

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Denver, Colorado

Colchester, Connecticut

Stratford, Connecticut

Bartow, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida(2 reports)

Keystone Heights, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Largo, Florida

Rockledge, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Zephyrhills, Florida

Emmett, Idaho

Niles, Illinois

Quincy, Illinois

Thomasboro, Illinois

Tuscola, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Carmel, Indiana

South Bend, Indiana

Wichita, Kansas

Ewing, Kentucky

Pleasureville, Kentucky

Taylorsville, Kentucky

Marrero, Louisiana

Cumberland, Maryland

Millersville, Maryland

Valley Lee, Maryland

Clinton, Massachusetts

Halifax, Massachusetts

Mashpee, Massachusetts

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Southborough, Massachusetts

Livonia, Michigan

Owosso, Michigan

Pinconning, Michigan

Eveleth, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota(3 reports)

Marietta, Mississippi

Waynesboro, Mississippi

Goodman, Missouri

Jackson, Missouri

Marshall, Missouri

Blair, Nebraska

Jersey City, New Jersey

Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Plainfield, New Jersey

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Socorro, New Mexico

Croton On Hudson, New York

Ithaca, New York

Lake Grove, New York

Durham, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Weaverville, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Cincinnati, Ohio

Fort Jennings, Ohio

Newark, Ohio

Vinton, Ohio

Edmond, Oklahoma

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Jay, Oklahoma

Ashland, Oregon

Albrightsville, Pennsylvania

Cranberry Twp, Pennsylvania

Hanover, Pennsylvania

Millersburg, Pennsylvania

Valencia, Pennsylvania

Charleston, South Carolina

Clinton, South Carolina

Hampton, South Carolina

Laurens, South Carolina

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Abilene, Texas

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Belton, Texas

Boerne, Texas

De Leon, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(3 reports)

Garland, Texas

Houston, Texas(3 reports)

Humble, Texas

Huntsville, Texas

Kingsland, Texas

La Porte, Texas

Pflugerville, Texas

Round Rock, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)

Southlake, Texas

Spring, Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

Ogden, Utah

South Jordan, Utah

Jonesville, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Radford, Virginia

Battle Ground, Washington

Cherry Grove, Washington

Colville, Washington

Dollar Corner, Washington

Freeland, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Lewisville, Washington

Meadow Glade, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Vancouver, Washington

Venersborg, Washington

Kinnear, Wyoming

Riverton, Wyoming

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

27
positives
1
neutral
6
negatives
Sort By:
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L
Phoenix, AZ | March 2020 | positive

Growing in shade, 87801 zip code, with no added water. It's slowly spreading, but the arid climate keeps it from going beyond its shady ...Read More

B
Vancouver, WA (Zone 8a) | November 2014 | positive

When I was about 15 years old, I saw photos of Chinese Chives in a catalog, and ordered some seeds for my garden in rural Illinois. I gr...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2014 | negative

The allium I grow under this name is a pestiferous self-seeder, and one of the more aggressive garden plants I've grown. Vegetative incre...Read More

N
Albuquerque, NM | April 2013 | negative

Extremely invasive. The worst thing in the world at the base of some nice rose plants. Can't kill it. Stinky.
Only redeeming facto...Read More

D
Humble, TX | September 2012 | positive

Planted 2 2" pots in the yard in filtered sun about 7 years ago. Watered them occasionally the first few months; after that, they were on...Read More

T
mid central, FL (Zone 9a) | September 2012 | positive

i keep it in a pot and trim it regularly...so no problem with spreading out of bounds. i use it in the kitchen in place of garlic for many dishes.

M
Tracy, CA (Zone 9b) | March 2012 | positive

An all purpose plant. Works in every situation. You can eat it, attract butterflies with it, deter pests, and use it as a companion pla...Read More

R
Carmel, IN | September 2011 | negative

I must say I am surprised at all of the glowing reviews for this plant. While beautiful in bloom, this invasive plant the most difficult ...Read More

B
Norman, OK (Zone 7a) | September 2011 | positive

With these in the garden, I shall not want for green onions! :)

B
Silver Spring, MD (Zone 7a) | September 2011 | positive

I only WISH this plant would be invasive in my balcony. My seedlings simply fail to thrive, possibly due to the high wind here.
<...Read More

M
(Zone 9b) | January 2010 | positive

I am not sure if all clones are fragrant, but mine has flower with light and pleasant fragrance, it smells almost like fabric softener. I...Read More

S
Cape Coral, FL (Zone 10a) | September 2009 | positive

I love these plants, it's like never ending supplies. I trim the Garlic Chives way down every 3-4 weeks eat some and give away a lot. I...Read More

R
South Bend, IN | February 2009 | positive

This chive is verry pretty. I do not tend to use it for cooking like my regular chive. I dont seem to get as many plant starts either. If...Read More

R
R
Fox Island, WA (Zone 8b) | November 2008 | positive

Love them! So easy to grow, can't kill em! I have them in containers, I have never deadheaded, and have not seen them growing anywhere e...Read More

K
Phoenix, AZ | June 2008 | positive

I planted from seed in april and have many plants that are doing great in 110 degree temperatures. I was really surprised at their hardi...Read More

B
Jackson, MO (Zone 6b) | April 2008 | negative

This plant spreads by seed aggresively. I did get rid of it by diligently cutting off all the seed heads as they bloomed. It's pretty b...Read More

W
Eastern Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) | August 2007 | positive

Good with baked potato and sour cream, its culinary uses are limited only by one's imagination. I bring my plant in before winter, now i...Read More

M
Houston, TX (Zone 10a) | April 2007 | positive

I love these little things! One day at the organic farmers market, I was discussing and wishing with another gardener to grow chives. Nex...Read More

A
A
Santa Barbara, CA (Zone 10a) | February 2007 | positive

This plant has it all--beautiful blooms, hardy green foliage and great taste. My 2-year-old granddaughter sits in the garden and eats th...Read More

D
D
(Zone 10a) | October 2006 | positive

These are also called Chinese Chives. Easy to grow perennials. Tasty to eat, with a subtle delicate flavour. If you want just a hint o...Read More

P
Los Alamos, NM (Zone 5a) | August 2006 | positive

I love this plant. I use the leaves stir fried with meat or seafood. I sprinkle flowers on salads. It does spread readily over time, bu...Read More

K
Leander, TX (Zone 8b) | March 2006 | positive

I love this herb. It grows great here in Tx. It survived the freezes and has come back very healthy this year. I prefer cooking with this...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | March 2006 | positive

Very pretty in bloom, but be sure to deadhead or they'll take over! Blooms in August-September in my garden.

R
Walkerton, VA (Zone 7a) | February 2006 | negative

I agree with hemlady. If you allow Garlic Chives to seed, they'll spread like wildfire. I found out the hard way. I'll stick with plain old chives.

B
B
Ashland, OR (Zone 8a) | January 2006 | positive

Unlike regular chives, which tend to flop and fall over unless regularly trimmed throughout the season, clumps of garlic chives stay gree...Read More

W
Eveleth, MN (Zone 3a) | September 2005 | positive

Definitely hardy to zone 3a. I have had it here for years with no die out. I have always deadheaded it, it has remained one polite clu...Read More

B
Culpeper, VA (Zone 7a) | September 2005 | positive

I ADORE this herb!

The leaves can be used in any of the ways one would use regular chives, & are also cooked as a vegetabl...Read More

A
| July 2005 | positive

I grow, and eat, this plant in volume. It does self seed easily, but it is easy to remove seed heads before the seeds mature. I was surpr...Read More

H
H
Castro Valley, CA (Zone 9a) | July 2004 | positive

I use it as decoration on plates at eating time, on baked potatoes, in salads. I started growing it last year. Doing great.

H
Melvindale, MI (Zone 5a) | September 2003 | negative

This plant is very invasive. My neighbor planted them along the fence line several years ago. I now have them coming up all over the pla...Read More

S
Old Town, FL | September 2003 | positive

I have grown this plant from seed for years, and love to cook with it. It is a wonderful plant to attract pollinators to the garden, and...Read More

T
T
| June 2003 | positive

Great for culinary use, but I have had some trouble starting saved seed. I feel it is best left to fall on the ground to come up in the s...Read More

B
B
fonthill, ON (Zone 6b) | January 2003 | positive

Terrific lacy white addition to the late summer garden here in S.Ontario. Get rid of those seeds...a rampant self seeder

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2001 | neutral

Garlic chives is a clump-forming onion family member which may be grown for both culinary and ornamental purposes. Features chive-like, g...Read More

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