Allium schoenoprasum aka Chives
Taxonomy
Chives (scientific name Allium schoenoprasum) is a perennial plant in the Amaryllidaceae family that is native to both the New and the Old Worlds. It is widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Chives are closely related to common onions, garlic, shallot, leek, scallion, and Chinese onion. These herbaceous plants are known for their edible leaves and flowers. The compact variety of chives is ideal for container gardening. The blue-green leaves have a mild onion flavor and can be harvested over several months. In the summer, chives produce beautiful lavender-pink flowers. Apart from their decorative qualities, chives are also commonly used in culinary dishes such as omelettes, fish, potatoes, and soups. The unopened flower buds and edible flowers can be added to salads. Chives have insect-repelling properties that make them useful for pest control in gardens. Additionally, chives provide abundant nectar for pollinators and were rated among the top 10 plants for nectar production in a UK survey. Overall, chives are versatile, easy-to-grow plants that offer both aesthetic appeal and culinary benefits.
Common names
Chives, Giant Garlic, Wild ChivesHow to care for Chives
Difficulty
Chives requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.
Water
Chives should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Chives loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Chives prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Chives is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Humidity
The Chives is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Chives should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
The Chives is clumping in nature, with new growth originating from the soil in close proximity to the original plant.
Region of origin
Chives’s native range is the Northern Hemisphere, South America, and Africa.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Allium Genus
Allium pendulinum Italian Garlic
Allium nutans Blue Chives
Allium parvum Small Onion
Allium cernuum Nodding Onion
Allium dichlamydeum Coastal Onion
Allium cratericola Cascade Onion
Allium carinatum Keeled Garlic
Allium subhirsutum Hairy Garlic
Allium douglasii Douglas' Onion
