HerbsEasy CareToxic to Pets
Garlic Chives
Allium tuberosum
Garlic chives form clumps of flat leaves with a mild garlic flavour and bear starry white flowers in late summer that bees love. They are used in dumplings, stir-fries and eggs.
Botanical FamilyAmaryllidaceae
Native RegionChina
Growth RateModerate
Mature Size30–45 cm (12–18 in) tall
Bloom PeriodLate summer
Common NamesChinese chives, Chinese leek, Nira
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water in dry spells.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-30–35 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed lightly after cutting.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by division, seed
Cut clumps to 3 cm several times a season; remove seed heads to stop self-seeding.
Safe for people but toxic to cats and dogs, like other alliums.
Top Cultivation Tips
Deadhead to prevent it spreading by seed.
Flowers are edible.
Divide every 3 years.
Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
