Garlic chives begin flowering in late summer when many garden plants start to look bedraggled.
The flowers have a sweet scent and are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
They are also a handsome addition to flower or perennial beds.
How and When to Plant Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are commonly grown from seed.
Plants should be spaced 6 inches apart.
Garlic Chives Care Tips
Once established, garlic chives are notably heat-, cold-, and drought-tolerant.
Light
Garlic chives thrive infull sun.
Soil and Water
The plant is not finicky about soil quality.
Good drainage, however, is crucial.
The idealsoil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Although the plants are fairly drought-tolerant, they prosper in moderately moist soil.
Temperature and Humidity
Garlic chives tolerate both subzero winters and hot summers.
In extreme heat above 85 degrees F. the plant may go dormant.
The plant has no humidity preferences.
Garlic chives that are grown merely as ornamentals typically don’t require fertilizer.
Pruning
Garlic chives are prolific seed producers that self-seed readily.
Cut off flower stalks as soon as they finish blooming to prevent rampant spread.
Potting and Repotting Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are excellent candidates for container growing.
Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix.
Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.
Bury the pot in the ground or place it in a larger pot to create an insulation silo.
Repot the plant to a larger container with fresh potting soil when the roots have filled the container.
you might also divide the plant instead of planting it in a larger pot.
Pests and Problems
Garlic chives have no known pest or disease issues.
Their prolific self-seeding may become a problem if the flowerheads are not removed before they set seed.
How to Propagate Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are propagated from seed or by division.
Water immediately and keep the new plant well-watered until it is established.
Harvesting
It takes garlic chives about 90 days to reach theharvest stage.
Harvest the leaves any time they are green and use them just as you would traditionalchives.
Cut them with scissors or kitchen shears just above the soil line.
Don’t harvest leaves with flowers on them, these are fibrous, not palatable.
Fresh garlic chives have the strongest flavor.
Store the leaves in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To dry or freeze them, chop them up.
The flowers are also edible.
Crumble them and add them to egg dishes or soups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic chives are considered invasive in some conditions because they self-seed easily.
