How to Grow Garlic Chives
Allium tuberosum
Garlic chives are a hardy clump-forming perennial with flat, strap-like leaves and a mild garlic-onion flavour. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Snip leaves from the outside of the clump as needed from spring through autumn. Deadhead flower stems promptly to prevent aggressive self-seeding — or enjoy the edible white star-shaped flowers for pollinators. Cut the whole plant back to 5 cm after late-summer flowering for a flush of tender regrowth. Divide congested clumps every 2–3 years in spring or autumn to keep them vigorous.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Light balanced feed in spring. Divide clumps every 2–3 years in spring or autumn.
Watch For
- Onion fly
- Rust
- Leek moth
- Aphids
Companions
Roses, Carrots, Tomatoes, Peppers
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Grows best in full sun but tolerates light shade. Flavour and leaf production are strongest in a sunny position. Suitable for most garden aspects.
Watering
Keep moist, especially in pots
Keep soil consistently moist, particularly during dry spells and in containers. Do not let pots dry out completely or leaves will yellow and weaken. Avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizing
Light spring feed; divide every 2–3 years
A light balanced feed in spring is sufficient. Dividing congested clumps every 2–3 years in spring or autumn does more for vigour than heavy feeding.
Pruning
Deadhead to prevent seeding; cut back after late-summer flowering
Remove spent flower heads promptly to prevent prolific self-seeding. Cut the whole plant back to about 5 cm after late-summer flowering to encourage a flush of fresh, tender new growth.
Harvesting
Snip outer leaves as needed from spring to autumn
Cut leaf blades from the outside of the clump with scissors, leaving 3–5 cm to regrow. Flowers and flower buds are also edible and have a mild garlic-onion flavour.
Growing Tips
Flat leaves, not hollow
Garlic chives have flat strap-like leaves — not the hollow round tubes of common chives. The flavour is milder and garlicky rather than oniony.
Cut little and often
Snip leaf blades with scissors, leaving 3–5 cm to regrow quickly. Frequent harvesting keeps the plant producing tender, flavoursome leaves.
Deadhead or self-seeding follows
Garlic chives set seed prolifically. Remove spent flower heads before seeds ripen unless you want seedlings to appear nearby — they can become weedy.
Divide to revive
Split congested clumps every 2–3 years in spring or autumn. Older undivided clumps lose vigour and produce fewer, tougher leaves.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 20 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 25 cm |
Forms dense clumps over time. Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour.
