Growing chives in pots from seeds is a lot simpler than you might think. Keep reading so I can share everything you need to know to have success. Whether you are planning on growing your chives indoors or outdoors – this guide is for you.
Chives are a great perennial herb for beginner gardeners. They were one of the first herbs I grew in my very first container garden back in 2007. Once you get them going, they only require minimal care and are great to bring in beneficial insects. Chives do very well outside but are also one of the best herbs to grow in a sunny windowsill. This is because they are super hardy and can even grow in light shade. They are also cold-tolerant perennials which means they will be one of the first herbs to pop up in early spring.
Chives have a mild onion flavour and are so versatile. They can be used in so many recipes. They even have edible flowers which can make beautiful additions to your meal. However, I would pass on the flower stalks as these are very fibrous and hard – think like a very overripe pole bean.
Growing Chives in Pots from Seeds – an Overview
I prefer growing my chives in pots from seeds in the house or in a greenhouse. It is actually the best way to do it in my opinion. I have tried starting them in the ground outside and the results were not very good at all. Starting seeds in a more controlled environment lets you more easily maintain the proper conditions for germination. This means your germination rate will be higher and your chives will sprout faster.
Add fresh chive seeds to a container with moist soil. Cover with plastic wrap during germination which should take about a week. Once you see sprouts, take the plastic off and put under a grow light or if the weather is warm put them out in the full sun. Water when the surface of the soil looks dry and the pot feels lighter. Continue to watch your chives grow.
When it is time to harvest – I just snip the section I need from the base of the plant (about 1 inch above soil level). Your chives will continue to grow back, become stronger, and clump out as time goes on.
Choosing the right pot, soil & seeds
It is best to start your chives in a small 6-pack, solo cup, or small recycled yogurt container. Just make sure that any pot you choose has holes in the bottom for good drainage.
Once your plants get going you can pot up to a nicer pot or out in a garden bed. You can choose to go right from the small pots you started in to your final container or pot up a couple of times into a larger pot if needed.
Since chive roots are not too deep, you will not need a huge container. I am currently growing some in my kitchen in a pot that is only 4 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Eventually, I will need to divide and repot them, but for now, they are quite happy.
Choose a well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter. My go-to is “Vegetable and Herb Promix”, I have tried others and it just doesn’t compare. I love the texture and it also provide enough nutrients to feed my plants for up to three months.
It is important to make sure you are starting with fresh seeds. Chives belong to the Allium family which is the same as onions. Plants of this family are not able to hold their germination rates as well as other plants. You can buy seeds at your local garden center, dollar store, or from an online seed company.
Always review the seed packet for important information and sowing times. However, herbs are great to start earlier so you can get them to size quicker and harvest sooner. And of course, if you are growing indoors you can start them any time of the year.
Planting chive seeds in Pots
Once you have your soil, seeds, and container it is time to get started.
First, you will want to premoisten your soil by mixing with water until you have a nice damp but not dripping wet consistency. This is because it will be way too dry straight out of the bag. It will actually be hydrophobic which means it won’t absorb the water at first. So don’t skip this step it is super important.
Add your damp soil to the container and pat down gently. Next, you can take a pinch of about 10-20 seeds and sprinkle them across the top of the soil. This overseeding method is a very natural way for chives to grow. If left to their own they will drop seeds in a clump and grow that way. The roots are very strong so you can easily divide your plants later if need be.
I then take another little handful of soil and sprinkle it on top of the seeds so they end up about 1/4 inch deep. Next, mist them with a spray bottle so the soil settles in and makes good contact with the seeds. Lastly, add a label and cover with plastic wrap to maintain some more warmth and moisture.
In about 7 days you should see some sprouts. Now it is time to remove the plastic wrap and give them some bright light – either outside or under a grow light. You will notice that some of the seeds have stuck to the tips of the chive sprouts. This is completely normal and they will eventually fall off.
Let the soil dry slightly at this stage before watering. Overwatering is one of the biggest issues that seedlings generally face. This leads us into the care and maintenance of your chives.
Care and maintenance
Water may be one of the most important things to get right. You should water when the seed starting mix becomes lighter in colour, and the container feels lighter. It is hard to give an exact timeline of how often to water herbs because you really need to use your senses and be the judge.
Another factor is that as your chives get bigger, they will need more water. I like to bottom water my chive seedlings. You can do this by filling a solid bottom container about a half inch or so and letting your containers soak up the water for 20-30 minutes. After this time remove any excess water from the solid tray. This method helps to prevent any fungal disease that may occur. It is good to let the soil dry out slightly in between watering.
When growing chives in pots from seeds you don’t want to overdo the fertilizer. It is best to use a water-soluble organic fertilizer so the plant can use it right away. Less is more here so go very light with the dosage. An Nitrogren, Phosphorus, and Potassium of 5-5-5- or less will be plenty. I have also used freshwater fish tank water which is rich in Nitrogren.
Once your chives are up and growing true leaves you can start to think about plant food. This will generally be in the 3rd to 4th week of healthy growth.
When using grow lights, set a timer for 16 hours of light each day. I generally put the light about 1-2 inches above the plants and then raise the light as they grow. If you put them outside in the warm weather then they will be happy with about 6 hours of direct sunlight. They can handle partial shade as well.
Harvesting
To harvest your chives grab a small bunch and cut about 1 inch above soil level. Chives are best used fresh, but you can also freeze or dehydrate them for later use. If you decide to cut back your chives after flowering (where you cut back the entire plant) it is a great time to preserve them. Chives seem to respond pretty well to regular harvest and trimming.
As your new chive plants are still establishing I like to give them a little trim here and there. I do this with my onion seedlings as well. You can do this to keep them about 5 – 6 inches tall. This will keep them stronger. As they become more established you can just harvest leaves whenever you need them.
I hope you found this helpful, and I wish you the best of success as you start growing chives in pots from seeds. I know these will become a staple in your herb garden.
Also, don’t forget to pin this post for later reference.
Until next time!
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