There are two types of chives: onion chives (Allium schoenoprasum) and garlic chives (Allium tuberosum). Though they are different species, they're both members of the allium family, along with onions, garlic, and shallots. Both grow in similar conditions, are edible, produce ornamental flowers, and can grow as perennials in colder hardiness zones. Read on for the main differences between the two.
Skip Ahead: Onion chives • Garlic chives • Differences • Growing • Harvesting
What are onion chives?
Onion chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are also known as common chives, as they're the most commonly grown type of chives. They're distinguished by their slender, hollow, blue-green leaves that grow about 12 inches tall and produce pink or purple flowers. In the kitchen, common chives have a mild onion-like flavor, making both the leaves and the flowers great additions to savory dishes and spring salads.
Common chives are perennial herbs and will survive the winter down to zone 4. With some protection-- generous mulching and/or covering with floating row covers-- they may overwinter in zone 3, as well.
Onion chives go dormant over the winter and are one of the first perennials to reappear in the very early spring. They flower in the late spring and early summer, adding colorful blooms to an herb bed, raised bed, or flower border.
What are garlic chives?
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) are also known as Chinese chives, as they're native to East Asia and are commonly used in east Asian dishes. They're characterized by tall, flat leaves that produce star-shaped white flowers. Garlic chives have a very subtle garlic flavor and share some culinary uses with onion chives: baked potatoes, savory bagels, summer salads, and egg dishes are a few popular uses.
At 15-18 inches tall, garlic chives grow taller than onion chives. They also bloom much later, with flowers coming out in the late summer. Like common chives, garlic chives are very winter hardy and can grow as perennials down to zone 3.
Key Differences
While garlic and onion chives grow in the same conditions, there are a few minor differences that might determine which species you choose to grow:
- Taste: The most important difference is also the most obvious: garlic chives have a garlic-y flavor, while common chives have a mild onion flavor. In both cases, the leaves and flowers offer a subtle alternative to garlic and onion bulbs.
- Cold hardiness: Garlic chives are hardy down to zone 3, while onion chives are hardy down to zone 4. These aren't hard and fast rules; you may be able to coax onion chives into surviving winter in zone 3, but it would take some care.
- Height: Onion chives only reach about a foot in height, whereas garlic chives can reach 18 inches.
- Spread: Common chives need slightly more space than garlic chives, spreading to about 8-10 inches wide.
- Flowers: Though some varieties of onion chives grow white flowers, most grow pink or purple flowers, and all varieties of garlic chives produce white flowers. Onion chives will flower in the late spring or early summer, but garlic chives tend to flower in the late summer.
Growing Chives
Both common and garlic chives grow best in full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Both varieties can be grown from seed in early spring or fall, and they can even be grown indoors, provided they get grow lights or a position with 6-8 hours of sun daily.
For a spring planting, start growing chives indoors from seed 6-8 weeks before your last frost date or sow seeds directly 4-6 weeks before your last frost date.
For a fall planting, sow chive seeds directly up to two months before your average first frost date.
Read More: How to Grow Chives from Seed to Harvest
Harvesting Chives
Both types of chives should be harvested when the leaves are at least 6 inches tall and the plants have been in the ground for at least a month. If you're growing chives from seed, that should be about 60 days after sowing.
To harvest either variety, cut the stems all the way down to 1-2 inches above the soil line. Harvesting half or less of the leaves at a time will be less harsh on the plant, but no matter how you do it, you can expect to harvest chives 3-4 times before they go to flower. Once the plants produce flowers, the leaves become tougher and less enjoyable to eat. However, both onion and garlic chive flowers are edible and can be harvested in the same manner as the leaves.
Read More: The 12 Best Companion Plants for Chives
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