Common Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

herb

Chives are a hardy perennial herb in the onion family, forming neat grassy clumps of slender, hollow leaves with a mild, fresh onion flavor, plus edible purple pompom flowers in spring. The easiest allium to grow, chives return reliably year after year, are among the first herbs up in spring, and supply snippable leaves all season.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Carrots — Onion scent helps mask carrots from the rust fly
• Tomatoes — Scent helps deter aphids
• Apples — Planted at the base, help deter aphids and borers
• Roses — Help repel aphids around the canes

❌ Keep away from

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Aphids →

  Chives help repel aphids on neighbors; hose off any that appear

• Onion fly →

  Rotate alliums and avoid leaving damaged leaves that attract egg-laying

• Thrips →

  Keep plants watered to limit stress and encourage minute pirate bugs

🌾 Harvest & storage

Snip the leaves as needed down to about an inch or two above the soil, taking from the outside of the clump, and cutting hard occasionally encourages a fresh flush of tender growth. Harvest the flowers just as they open to use as an edible, oniony garnish; chives are best fresh or frozen, as they lose flavor when dried.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Chives are eaten in small amounts but are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and supply folate and antioxidants, along with the same beneficial organosulfur compounds found throughout the onion family.