Chives

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant chives.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors (spring/fall) Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) Plant spacing # plants per person
Chives 3a March 15-April 1 April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 3b March 15-April 1 April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 4a March 15-April 1 April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 4b March 15-April 1 April 15-May 1 On/around May 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 5a Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 5b Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 6a Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 6b Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 7a Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 7b Feb. 15-March 1 March 15-April 1 On/around April 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 8a Jan. 15-Feb. 1 Feb. 1-15 On/around March 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 8b Jan. 15-Feb. 1 Feb. 1-15 On/around March 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 9a Dec. 15-Jan. 1 Jan. 1-15 On/around Feb. 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 9b Dec. 15-Jan. 1 Jan. 1-15 On/around Feb. 15 (after last frost) 4-6 inches 1-2
Chives 10a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Chives 10b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Chives 11a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Chives 11b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended

* Chives are cool-season perennials. Start seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked. Transplant seedlings after the threat of frost has passed.