What hardiness zones is Allium schoenoprasum suitable for?

Allium schoenoprasum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Allium schoenoprasum?

Allium schoenoprasum requires Part Sun.

How much water does Allium schoenoprasum need?

Allium schoenoprasum has Medium water needs.

Herbs

Allium schoenoprasum

Chives

Amaryllidaceae

Circumboreal; Europe, Asia, and northern North America including parts of Pacific Northwest; moist meadows and rocky slopes

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height10–20 inches (25–50 cm)

Width10–12 inches (25–30 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (light)

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium schoenoprasum is a clump-forming, hardy perennial herb native to a wide circumboreal range across Europe, Asia, and North America. Plants reach 10–20 inches (25–50 cm) tall and 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) wide in full growth; growth is rapid in spring. The habit is clumping, with dense tufts of hollow, tubular, dark green leaves 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm) in diameter growing from small underground bulbs. Leaves have a mild onion scent and flavor and are used fresh as a culinary herb. Flowers appear in May–June atop hollow, round stems 10–20 inches (25–50 cm) tall: dense, spherical umbels 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) in diameter, pale to bright purple-pink, composed of 20–30 individual tubular florets. Both leaves and flowers are edible. Foliage dies back to bulbs in winter and re-emerges reliably each spring. In Pacific Northwest conditions, chives perform in a wide range of sites including partly shaded positions.

Native Range

Allium schoenoprasum is native to a wide circumboreal range across Europe, Asia, and northern North America, including parts of the Pacific Northwest, in moist meadows, rocky slopes, and streambanks at low to alpine elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, vegetable gardens, containers, and ornamental borders where the purple-pink globular flowers also provide ornamental value. Harvest leaves from outer edges of clumps regularly; use fresh or freeze. Both leaves and flowers are used as a culinary garnish. A 6-inch (15 cm) pot is sufficient for container culture on patios and windowsills.

How to Identify

Allium schoenoprasum is identified by its clump-forming habit of hollow, tubular, dark green leaves 0.1–0.2 inch (3–5 mm) in diameter with a mild onion scent when crushed; spherical purple-pink flower umbels 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) across on hollow, round stems in May–June; and small underground bulbs. Distinguished from Allium cepa (bulb onion) by the non-bulbing clump habit and much narrower, hollow leaves; distinguished from ornamental alliums by the much smaller scale and culinary use.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10" - 1'8"

Width/Spread10" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

pink

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Spherical purple-pink umbels 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) across appear on hollow, round stems 10–20 inches (25–50 cm) tall in May–June. Each umbel contains 20–30 individual tubular florets. Bloom period is 3–4 weeks. Both flowers and leaves are edible; deadheading reduces self-seeding.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale to bright purple-pink

Foliage Description

dark green; hollow, tubular leaves with mild onion scent

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, moist, fertile soil. Water regularly — more moisture-tolerant than most herbs. Divide clumps every 2–3 years in spring or fall to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. Cut foliage back to 2 inches (5 cm) above ground after flowering to encourage fresh leaf growth. Chives self-seed freely if flower heads are not removed; deadhead to prevent unwanted spread. In Pacific Northwest conditions, chives die back to bulbs in winter and re-emerge reliably in early spring.

Pruning

Cut foliage back to 2 inches (5 cm) after each harvest or after flowering to stimulate fresh new growth. Deadhead flower stems after bloom to reduce self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2–3 years to maintain vigorous production.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummerfall

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Direct Sow Timing

Direct sow March–May; or start indoors 8 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

80–90 days

Plant Spacing

8 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

carrots

tomatoes

roses

brassicas

apples

Avoid Planting With

beans

peas