How to grow Chives in New Zealand
Chives are a hardy perennial herb with grass-like leaves that give a mild onion flavour, and edible mauve flowers loved by bees. A clump keeps producing for years, regrows quickly after cutting, and does well in a pot by the kitchen door. Garlic chives are a close relative with flat leaves, white flowers and a mild garlic flavour.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Chives in New Zealand
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | August to May | |
| Auckland | August to May | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | August to May | |
| Central North Island | August to May | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | August to May | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | August to May | |
| Canterbury | August to May | |
| Otago & Southland | September to May | Plant Sep to May. Before that the ground is too cold, and later plantings do not root in before the hard frosts. |
| Central Otago | September to May | Plant Sep to May. Before that the ground is too cold, and later plantings do not root in before the hard frosts. |
Where to plant
Grow chives in full sun or dappled shade in well-drained soil with some compost. They are tough and grow year round in the warm north, dying back in winter in colder areas before regrowing in spring. They are ideal at the edge of a bed or in pots.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, and Canterbury: sow or plant from August to May.
- Otago and Southland and Central Otago: plant from September to May. Before that the ground is too cold, and later plantings do not root in before the hard frosts.
Choosing a variety
- Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum): fine, hollow, onion-flavoured leaves and mauve flowers.
- Broad-leaf chives: a larger-leaved form of common chives for heavier cutting.
- Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), also called gow choy or Chinese leek: flat leaves with a mild garlic flavour and white flowers, essential in many Asian dishes.
How to plant
- Sow seed directly about 0.5 cm deep in small clumps, or in trays, and keep moist; seedlings appear in 7 to 14 days.
- Thin or plant out in clumps about 15 cm apart.
- Alternatively, plant a potted clump or a division from an established plant.
- Water in and keep moist while plants establish.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly, especially in pots and dry spells. A liquid feed every few weeks keeps fresh leaves coming after heavy cutting.
Pruning and care through the year
- Cut back hard now and then for a flush of tender new growth.
- Lift and divide established clumps every few years to keep them productive.
- Remove flower heads if you want more leaves, or leave some for the bees and for salads.
Harvesting
Snip whole leaves at the base with scissors rather than just trimming the tips, taking an outer handful at a time so the clump keeps producing. Regular picking promotes new growth. The flowers are edible and pretty scattered through salads.
Chives keep about a week loosely wrapped in the fridge. Snipped chives freeze well in bags.
Growing in pots
Chives flourish in pots at least 15 cm wide, in full sun or light shade, with quality potting mix. Keep them watered and feed now and then. A pot by the kitchen door makes them easy to pick.
Using it
Use chives raw to garnish soups, salads, sandwiches and dips, or add them at the end of cooking to eggs, fish, chicken and mashed potato. They are part of the French fines herbes blend. Garlic chives suit stir-fries, dumplings and noodles.
Propagation and saving seed
Chives are easily divided. Lift an established clump in spring or autumn, pull or cut it into smaller clumps of several bulbs, and replant them.
Companion planting
Chives are a traditional companion for many crops, and their flowers draw bees.
Good companions
- Carrot A traditional pairing; the onion scent of chives is thought to help mask carrots from carrot rust fly.
- Tomato A low herb that fits at the base of staked tomatoes.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to chives.
- Beans Onions and their relatives are traditionally kept away from beans, as they are said to stunt them.
Pests and diseases
Chives are tough and rarely seriously troubled.
Pests to watch for
- Thrips Leaves with a white, mottled, silvery look.
- Aphids Small black, green or pink insects on the leaves.
- Spider mite Yellow mottling or bronzing of the leaves and fine webbing.
- Slugs Ragged holes and silvery trails.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Orange pustules on the leaves; cut affected leaves to the ground and let the clump regrow.
- Downy mildew Pale, yellowing patches on leaves with grey-purple fuzz in cool, damp weather.
Common questions
Do chives come back every year?
Yes. Chives are a hardy perennial. In cold areas they die back in winter and regrow in spring; in the warm north they grow year round.
How do I harvest chives without killing the plant?
Snip whole leaves at the base, an outer handful at a time, rather than trimming the tips. Cutting the clump back hard now and then also brings fresh growth.
Can you eat chive flowers?
Yes. The mauve flowers of common chives and the white flowers of garlic chives are edible and good in salads.
What is the difference between chives and garlic chives?
Common chives have fine, hollow leaves and an onion flavour. Garlic chives have flat leaves, white flowers and a mild garlic flavour.
How do I divide chives?
Lift the clump in spring or autumn, split it into smaller clumps of several bulbs, and replant them.
Can I grow chives indoors?
Yes, in a pot on a sunny windowsill, though they grow best outdoors in good light.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow chives; Yates NZ: Common problems of chives; Kings Seeds: Chives Broad Leaf; Kings Seeds: Garlic Chives New Belt.