But are chives perennial plants that can survive winter, or will you should probably replant them in spring?
As you likely know, not all herbs are perennial and not all onion family members are either.
And sometimes, aplant can be a perennial, but not hardy in your area.
Credit:Edward Gohlich
What Are Chives?
Like other members of theallium family, chives do form tiny bulbs.
Will Chives Grow Back After Winter?
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Chives arehardy in USDA Zones 3-9.
The leaves are fairly cold-hardy, often remaining alive and green into early winter.
Here, their gorgeous lavender-colored flowers can shine, while you enjoy a steady supply of fresh chives.
Theflowers are edibletoo, and well-visited by bees.
They do best in afull-sun sitewithloamy soilbut can grow in part shade.
While they need good drainage, they arent finicky about soil jot down or moisture.
If your soil is low in fertility, an annualdose of slow-release fertilizerwill help.
In most soils, fertilizing is unnecessary.
Keep your chives vigorous and healthy bydividing the plantevery three to four years.
Grab scissors or a hedge trimmer and cut off about half of the top.
Theyll respond quickly with a fresh flush of bright green, tasty leaves.
Toss the trimmed pieces in soup stock or freeze them for later if you like.
Chives spread slowly, but do have a habit of seeding themselves around where they may not be wanted.
Curb this tendency by pruning off the flowers before they can set seed.
Straw or chopped leaves work well.
Remove the mulch in spring when the temperature stays above freezing during the day.
When new green shoots show in early spring, cut off any remaining dead leaves from last fall.
The extra cold can damage even hardy perennial plant roots.
Chives grow well indoorsunder a grow light, providing fresh green herbs all winter.
