Last Updated on July 9, 2020

A common item for many gardeners to grow in their home is herbs. Herbs serve a dual purpose of being both beautiful additions to your home, while also being useful in the kitchen. One of the most popular and easy to grow herbs is chives! Growing chives indoors is an excellent choice as they are easy to grow for the beginning gardener and used in many different recipes. If you’re looking for an excellent herb to add to your collection try chives out.

There are two types of chives that are usually grown. These two are the following:

Common Chives (onion)

Garlic Chives

The main difference between the two is the taste. Garlic chives have a garlic taste (go figure) while the common chive tastes more like a weak onion. Both also bloom small flowers of different colors; common being purple and garlic white. Which one to grow comes down to personal preference and which one tastes better to you. They both require similar care to grow properly, so it truly is a personal choice. By following the tips in this article you’ll be able to grow both with confidence!

Growing Chives Indoors Properly

Container & Soil

Chives are quite popular to grow due to their ability to thrive in relatively small containers. In fact, many people choose to grow them in very small containers on windowsills. Obviously you’ll grow less in smaller pots, but their ability to be versatile makes them appealing to many gardeners. Our recommendation for containers is clay pots as they help with proper drainage, but really any container will do if cared for correctly.

The most important thing is to make sure there is proper drainage so that water doesn’t sit at the bottom of the pot. Small holes is usually enough to allow excess water out of the pot. Too much water sitting in the pot can lead to root rot, which can kill your plant.

For soil, you’ll want to use a well draining potting soil. Most commercial soils will work, as well as those labeled specifically for herbs. When planting indoors, always make sure get a potting soil and not a garden soil. Garden soil won’t allow for proper drainage.

When planting, you’ll want to pre-moisten the soil before sowing the seeds or planting the seedlings. Plant the seeds about 1/4″ deep, and cover the roots for seedlings.

If planting from seeds, expect them to germinate in around 2 weeks.

Lighting

When growing chives indoors one of the prime considerations is light. Chives usually require about 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. If not possible, supplementing with a grow light is a good choice.

Using a grow light is perfectly fine, and should be positioned roughly 6-12 inches away from the plant depending on intensity.

If you notice your chives begin to bend, simply rotate the pot so they bend away from the light. They will correct themselves as they reach the opposite way to grow towards the light. It’s recommended to give them a rotation every week or so to ensure proper growth.

Water & Feeding

Chives are fairly hardy plants, so they don’t need to be watered constantly. Simply check every day or so to see if the soil is dry to touch, and if so give them a thorough dose of water. You’ll want to saturate the soil, but not soak it. Watch for any drainage holes to start leaking, and that’s usually a pretty good sign to stop as the soil is thoroughly saturated.

Chives also enjoy a bit of humidity. Following standard humidity practices is a good idea, and you can also lightly mist them between watering to keep the humidity from getting too low.

For fertilizing, a low strength fertilizer is preferred. Use a water soluble fertilizer, and dilute to half strength 1-2 times per month during the warmer season. Chives tend to grow slower during the winter (even indoors) and therefore don’t need to be fed as often.

Harvesting

Chives are super simple to harvest. Simply take a pair of scissors, and cut the plant leaving roughly 2″ above the soil line. This ensures that they continue to grow back after each clipping. Don’t clip more than this or you risk damaging the plant.

Growing With Other Plants?

It is not recommended to grow chives with other plants as they are technically weeds. They will easily spread out to fill their container, and since they are so fast growing they will usually out pace other plants. This will lead to the chives taking all the nutrients in the soil, and effectively choking out the other plants. If growing outdoors, it’s important to keep an eye on your chives or section them off to prevent them from taking over your garden. Indoors, give them a separate pot to grow in.

Here are some quick tips to remember when growing chives indoors.

If you are growing chives in one big pot, it is recommended to place them apart about 4-6 inches apart to help the chives grow individually well.

Make sure that the soil that you are going to place on the pot will be fertile and rich in hummus. You also need to ensure that the soil is well drained before planting the chives.

If you notice the tips of chives begin to turn yellow this is usually a good indication that they are not receiving enough water. Try watering them a bit more frequently, but be careful not to over correct the problem and water too frequently.

You know when your chives are ready for harvesting when they are over 6 inches tall. When harvesting, make sure that you will still leave about a couple of inches above the soil so that the chives can continue growing. Chives are pretty quick growers, so look to harvest frequently. Harvesting actually helps them grow so don’t be afraid to cut them back. You can always freeze the cut herbs and they will retain their flavors.

When fertalizing, use a low grade, water soluble fertilizer 1-2 times per month for best results. Using a strong fertilizer may actually weaken the taste of the chives.

One thing to keep in mind about chives is that they drop seeds in nearby areas after they being to flower. They will take about 2 weeks to germinate, and then they can grow quickly and can take on a “weed” appearance in the rest of your garden. Luckily they are fairly easy to pull, and will require only light maintenance to keep contained.

Once they begin to grow, follow the steps above and enjoy the delicious chives, fresh from the garden!

Get started with 150 chive seeds from amazon!

FAQ

Can I grow Chives Year Round?

When growing indoors yes, you can grow and harvest year round. Otherwise, chives will grow dormant after the first frost.

Can Chives Get Pests?

They can, but it’s rare. The aroma of chives acts as a natural repellant, and can actually help keep pests off nearby plants. If by chance they do get get pests, you can use a soapy water mixture to help clean them and remove the pests.

Can I move My Chives Indoors in The Winter?

Yes, chives are quite hardy and will transplant easy. It’s best to remove them clumps at a time, and then divide them up into your pots once indoors. Make sure the new soil is moist, and the chives should continue to grow happily all winter long!