Chives are a hardy perennial herb with a mild onion flavour, native to Europe and Asia. Used since at least the Middle Ages, they were once hung in homes to ward off evil spirits. Their name comes from Latin 'cepa', meaning onion. Chives are now a popular edging plant in Australian herb gardens.
Sowing Calendar
Best Months to Plant – Chives
Climate Zone
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Cool/Mountain
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Temperate
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✓
✓
✓
✓
Arid
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Subtropical
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
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✓
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✓
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Tropical
✓
✓
✓
✓
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Cool/Mountain – Chives
Method
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Start in trays
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✓
✓
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Plant out transplants
✓
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Direct sow
✓
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✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Temperate – Chives
Method
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Start in trays
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Plant out transplants
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Direct sow
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Arid – Chives
Method
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Start in trays
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Plant out transplants
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Direct sow
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Subtropical – Chives
Method
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Start in trays
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Plant out transplants
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Direct sow
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tropical – Chives
Method
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Start in trays
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Plant out transplants
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Direct sow
✓
✓
✓
✓
Where to Plant
Shady Spots & Herb Gardens
Shady Spots & Herb Gardens
• Areas receiving dappled or indirect sunlight, often near trees or buildings
• Best for shade-tolerant herbs like mint, parsley, or greens like spinach
• Helps prevent sun stress and conserves moisture
• Often used in cooler corners of the garden
In-Ground Garden Beds
In-Ground Garden Beds
• Traditional garden beds dug directly into the soil
• Suitable for deep-rooted crops and long-term plantings
• Offers natural soil ecology and drainage benefits
• Requires proper soil preparation and weed management
Containers & Pots
Containers & Pots
• Portable planting vessels suited for patios, balconies, and small areas
• Provide complete control over soil composition and drainage
• Great for herbs, greens, compact vegetables, or ornamental plants
• Allow plants to be moved to follow sun, shade, or seasonal conditions
Pre-treatment
None Identified
There are no pre treatments required for germination.
Sowing Method
Start in Trays
• Fill seed trays or punnets with quality seed-raising mix
• Sow seeds at the correct depth—refer to seed packet for guidance
• Place trays in a warm, sheltered location with good light
• Mist or bottom-water to avoid disturbing small seeds
• Transplant seedlings once they develop 2–4 true leaves
Direct Sow
• Sow seeds directly into prepared garden soil or outdoor containers
• Best for plants that dislike transplanting, such as root vegetables and beans
• Loosen soil and remove weeds before sowing
• Sow at the recommended depth and spacing, then water gently
• Keep the area moist until germination and thin seedlings if needed
Watering
Medium
• Benefits from regular watering, especially during active growth or flowering
• Soil should remain moist but not soggy—allow topsoil to dry slightly between waterings
• Ideal for most vegetables, herbs, and flowering annuals
• More frequent watering may be needed during hot or windy weather
• A layer of mulch can reduce water loss and improve consistency
Fertilisation
Frost
Frost Tolerant
These plants can tolerate light to moderate frosts and may survive through cooler seasons.
Maintenance and Harvesting
Chives grow best when cut regularly to prevent flowering and maintain tender leaves. Divide clumps every couple of years to rejuvenate growth. Keep well-watered, especially in pots, and feed lightly with organic fertiliser.
Pests and Diseases
Downy mildew
Downy mildew causes pale yellow blotches on upper leaf surfaces with grey‑purple fuzz beneath, spreading fast in cool, moist weather. Heavily infected leaves collapse, slowing growth and yield.
Choose sunny, well‑ventilated positions, water early so foliage dries quickly, and remove infected leaves promptly. Organic options include copper and bio‑fungicides (phosphorous acid salts). For severe pressure, rotate chemical fungicide modes to prevent resistance.
Thrips
Thrips are slender insects that rasp and suck plant tissues, leaving silvery streaks and distorted growth on leaves and flowers. They can also transmit plant viruses.
Use blue or yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce numbers, weed around beds, and encourage beneficials like minute pirate bugs. Neem oil and insecticidal soap offer organic suppression. If needed, use registered insecticides and rotate modes of action to avoid resistance.
Rust
Rust diseases produce raised orange‑brown pustules on leaves and stems. Spores disperse easily on wind and water, causing repeated reinfection and gradual weakening of plants.
Remove infected material and avoid wetting foliage. Grow resistant varieties where possible and rotate crops. Organic sulfur or copper sprays can protect new growth; systemic fungicides are a chemical fallback if rust persists.
Damping off (seedlings)
Damping‑off is a soil‑borne disease that attacks seeds and seedlings, causing poor germination, sudden collapse, or pinched, water‑soaked stems at soil level. It thrives in cool, wet, stagnant conditions.
Sow into fresh, clean seed‑raising mix; avoid reusing contaminated trays. Provide warmth, light, and airflow; water lightly and allow the surface to dry between waterings. A light dusting of cinnamon or chamomile tea is a gentle organic measure; fungicidal drenches are rarely necessary for home growers when hygiene is good.
Leaf miners
Leaf miners can affect plant health and yields in home gardens. Typical symptoms include slowed growth, discolouration, and reduced productivity, often triggered by weather, nutrition, or cultural conditions.
Start with cultural fixes: rotate crops, improve soil with compost, water consistently, and choose resistant varieties. Organic sprays or amendments can reduce severity; chemical options are a last resort and should be used carefully and in accordance with labels.
Neck rot / storage rots
Neck rot / storage rots can affect plant health and yields in home gardens. Typical symptoms include slowed growth, discolouration, and reduced productivity, often triggered by weather, nutrition, or cultural conditions.
Start with cultural fixes: rotate crops, improve soil with compost, water consistently, and choose resistant varieties. Organic sprays or amendments can reduce severity; chemical options are a last resort and should be used carefully and in accordance with labels.
White rot
White rot can affect plant health and yields in home gardens. Typical symptoms include slowed growth, discolouration, and reduced productivity, often triggered by weather, nutrition, or cultural conditions.
Start with cultural fixes: rotate crops, improve soil with compost, water consistently, and choose resistant varieties. Organic sprays or amendments can reduce severity; chemical options are a last resort and should be used carefully and in accordance with labels.
Growing Tips
• Chives is prone to declining clumps without periodic division. Good cultural practices such as timely sowing, consistent care, and soil preparation can help manage this.
• Weak growth in shade or poor soil can affect Chives. Improve soil fertility with compost and keep the soil evenly moist to encourage strong growth.
