Herb · Perennial allium herb
Garlic Chives
Allium tuberosumA tough, clump-forming perennial allium with flat, garlic-scented leaves and starry white flowers that pollinators adore. Once established it needs almost no attention, coming back reliably for years and often self-seeding into nearby beds. The one rule: divide the clump every few years, or deadhead promptly, to keep it from spreading further than intended.
Sow depth
¼ in
Spacing
12 in apart
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Germination
7–14 days
Time to harvest
80–90 days
Difficulty
Easy
When to sow garlic chives
- Sow from about 2 weeks before your last expected frost until about 2 weeks after your last expected frost.
Start indoors — sow into flats 8–10 weeks before the last frost.Sow several seeds per plug; clumps transplant better than single seedlings.Transplant out once frost risk has passed, spacing clumps 12 in apart.
Leave it be — garlic chives need little more than an occasional weeding.Water during dry spells in the first year while roots establish.Deadhead spent flowers promptly to stop it self-seeding into nearby beds.
Snip leaves anytime once the clump is established, close to the base.Pick flower buds and open blooms for a milder, garlicky garnish.Divide congested clumps every 3 years to keep growth vigorous.
Companion plants
Like other alliums, garlic chives are thought to repel aphids from roses and carrot fly from carrots, but they stunt nitrogen-fixing beans and peas planted too close.
Watch out for
Thrips — Pierce leaves and leave silvery streaks in hot, dry weather. Encourage lacewings and ladybirds, or rinse plants with water.Onion maggots — Larvae feed on roots in cool, damp spring soil. Avoid planting near other alliums and rotate beds yearly.