Allium schoenoprasum, as chives are called in Latin, belongs to the allium family and is therefore closely related to other Allium species such as wild garlic, leeks, shallots, onions and garlic. You can smell this relationship, because all of these species have a typical smell that is caused by allicin - and is also responsible for the he alth benefits of the leek family. Chives are very easy to care for and also quite undemanding.
How do you care for chives properly?
Chive care includes regular watering without waterlogging, sufficient light and air, annual repotting and compost fertilization for garden plants. Harvest the stalks generously and watch out for pests such as onion flies and rust fungi. Chives are hardy.
How often do you have to water chives?
Chives need a lot of water and should therefore - if they are planted in the garden - be in soil that is as moist as possible. At the same time, however, the herb does not tolerate waterlogging, which is why the soil must be well-drained.
Can you also cultivate chives in a pot?
Yes, but only provided that the plant is in a sufficiently large pot and gets plenty of light and air - chives are usually not suitable as a pure houseplant.
How often do chives need to be transplanted in pots?
The first time you should repot chives is immediately after you buy them. The commercially available pots are too small for the fast-growing plant. After that, you should repot them about once a year. In this case, fertilizing is not necessary as fresh substrate is always pre-fertilized. On the other hand, chives planted in the garden can remain in the same place for 20 years or longer - provided they are fertilized.
When and with what should you fertilize chives?
Potted chives that are repotted regularly do not need to be fertilized. Garden chives, on the other hand, receive a good portion of compost in spring and are otherwise supplied with commercially available liquid vegetable fertilizer (€19.00 at Amazon) over the summer.
When and how should you cut chives?
Harvest the chive stalks regularly and cut them away generously - the more new stalks the plant will ultimately produce. Unharvested stalks simply turn yellow and wilt and are no longer usable.
What pests attack chives?
Chives are usually recommended as a biological remedy against pest infestations on other plants, but they can also become infected themselves. In particular, onion flies, aphids and so-called lily flies (a small beetle with a bright red shield) settle on the stalks. Otherwise, rust fungi often occur.
Is chives hardy?
Yes, both planted and potted chive plants are hardy.
Tips & Tricks
Many organic gardeners swear by chive broth to combat mildew: To do this, cut about 100 grams of fresh chives as small as possible and pour a liter of boiling water over them. You can also add finely chopped garlic cloves to enhance the effect. Let the mixture steep for a few hours, cool and spray infected plants with it.
