How to grow Chives in Australia
Grow chives in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, free-draining soil, in the ground or a pot. Keep them watered for tender stems and give an occasional light feed.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 3 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 15 cm
- Time to harvest: 75 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | All year | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to September | Frost-hardy perennial. Melbourne ideal. Extend window; can divide year-round. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to May, September to November | Sow or divide clumps Mar to May or Sep to Nov. Chives rest in midwinter and seedlings struggle in midsummer heat. |
| Perth & WA | March to October | Sow or divide clumps Mar to Oct. Keep them watered through summer; clumps thin out in heat on dry sand. |
| Tasmania | September to March | Sow or divide Sep to Mar. Hardy perennial, dormant midwinter. |
| Canberra & ACT | All year | Chives are very cold-hardy perennial; plant anytime; divide clumps periodically for rejuvenation. |
| North Queensland | All year | Year-round perennial herb. Chives thrive in tropical heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | All year | Year-round perennial herb. Chives thrive in tropical heat and humidity. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Snip leaves at the base with scissors once clumps are established and pencil thick. Cut what you need and the leaves regrow quickly for repeat harvests.
Storage
Fridge loosely wrapped, up to 1 week. Freeze snipped in bags.