chives
allium schoenoprasum

days to maturity: 60 days
plant spacing: 4 per square foot
sunlight requirements: 6-14 hours hours
look out for: snails at the base
harvest notes: harvest whole clump every 2 weeks, grows back very quickly
seasons: fall, winter & spring
perennial

Chives are one of those plants that every home garden should have—they’re easy, pretty, and endlessly useful in the kitchen. With their thin, hollow green leaves and pom-pom-like purple flowers, they add a cheerful splash of color while quietly working double duty as both herb and ornament. In zone 10b, chives grow almost year-round if given a little care. They like full sun to partial shade, regular water, and well-drained soil. Unlike fussier herbs, chives are tough and forgiving. You can snip them often, and they’ll just keep sending up fresh growth. Left to bloom, their flowers are edible too—mildly oniony and gorgeous sprinkled on salads. Culinary uses are endless: toss chopped chives on eggs, potatoes, soups, or dips for a fresh, delicate onion flavor without the sharp bite. They’re best added at the very end of cooking to preserve that brightness. Chives also have a bit of folk magic about them—traditionally thought to ward off evil and hung in bunches around kitchens and gardens. Whether you’re growing them in a pot on the patio or tucked into a garden bed, chives bring charm and flavor in equal measure.