What hardiness zones is Allium tuberosum suitable for?

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

What are the sun requirements for Allium tuberosum?

Allium tuberosum requires Full Sun.

How much water does Allium tuberosum need?

Allium tuberosum has Low water needs.

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Herbs

Allium tuberosum

Garlic Chives

Amaryllidaceae

SE Asia (China, Mongolia, Indian subcontinent; grasslands; cultivated thousands of years; garlic-flavored flat leaves; self-seeds prolifically; z3)

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 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.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Allium tuberosum is a perennial herb reaching 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and an upright, clumping habit spreading by rhizomes and self-seeding. Native to southeastern Asia—China, Mongolia, and the Indian subcontinent—it produces flat, solid, strap-like leaves 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide with a mild garlic flavor (versus the onion flavor of common chives, A. schoenoprasum). Clusters of small, star-shaped, white flowers on stalks above the foliage appear in August-September. Growth rate is moderate to fast. Hardy to zone 3. Both leaves and unopened flower buds are edible. Self-seeds prolifically—can become invasive if flowers are not removed before seed set. Cut-and-come-again harvest throughout the growing season.

Native Range

Allium tuberosum is native to southeastern Asia—China, Mongolia, and the Indian subcontinent—in grasslands and rocky slopes. Widely cultivated across East and Southeast Asia for thousands of years.

Suggested Uses

Grown in herb gardens, vegetable gardens, or containers for culinary use—stir-fry, dumplings, egg dishes, garnish. Garlic-flavored flat leaves. Edible flower buds. Perennial z3—returns year after year. Cut-and-come-again. Self-seeds prolifically—remove flowers to contain. Not suitable for areas where self-seeding is problematic.

How to Identify

Distinguished from common chives (A. schoenoprasum) by the flat (versus tubular) leaves, the garlic (versus onion) flavor, and the white (versus pink-purple) flowers. Distinguished from garlic by the perennial clumping herb (versus annual bulb) habit. Garlic chives—flat leaves with garlic flavor, white star flowers Aug-Sep, perennial z3, self-seeds heavily.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer Fall

Clusters of small star-shaped white flowers on stalks 18-24 inches (45-60 cm), August-September. Flowers attract pollinators. Unopened buds are edible. Remove spent flowers before seed set to prevent self-seeding. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White; small star-shaped; clusters on stalks; Aug-Sep; edible buds

Foliage Description

Medium green; flat solid strap-like 0.25 inch wide; garlic-scented

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year to full harvest

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil (pH 6.0-7.5). Hardy to zone 3. Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks before. Divide clumps every 3-4 years. Cut-and-come-again harvest—cut to 2 inches (5 cm) above ground. Remove flowers before seed set to prevent invasive spread.

Pruning

Cut leaves to 2 inches (5 cm) above ground for harvest—regrows in 2-3 weeks. Remove flower stalks before seed matures. Divide overcrowded clumps in spring or fall.