Description
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum), also known as Chinese chives, are a hardy, perennial herb valued for their flat, grass-like leaves that carry a mild garlic flavour. Unlike traditional chives (Allium schoenoprasum), which taste more like onion, Garlic Chives offer a subtle yet distinct garlic taste, making them a versatile culinary herb in both raw and cooked dishes.
Growing to a height of 15 cm, these clump-forming plants produce dense, upright foliage and clusters of small white star-shaped flowers in late summer to early autumn, these blooms serve as excellent cut flowers or edible garnishes.
Garlic Chives are drought-tolerant once established, making them ideal for low-maintenance and water-wise gardens, especially in regions with warm summers and cool winters. In colder inland areas, the plants may die back in winter but will resprout vigorously in spring.
Highly regarded in Asian, Mediterranean, and fusion cuisines, Garlic Chives can be harvested regularly, encouraging continuous leaf production. Their ornamental and practical value, combined with their resilience and ease of growth, make Garlic Chives an essential herb for home gardeners and urban growers across South Africa.
Benefits
Easy to Grow and Low Maintenance
- Perennial – returns year after year with minimal input.
- Tolerant of drought and light frost once established.
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Excellent for containers, borders, or herb spirals.
Insect Repellant & Pollinator Benefits
- Effective as a border plant in pest management strategies.
- Naturally repels aphids, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.
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Flowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
Culinary & Medicinal Uses
- Leaves are used in stir-fries, soups, salads, dumplings, and sauces.
- Flowers are edible and ornamental – great in salads or as garnish.
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Traditionally used to stimulate digestion and for respiratory health in herbal remedies.
Nutritional Benefits
- Good source of vitamins A and C, iron, and antioxidants.
- Contains allicin, known for its antibacterial and immune-boosting properties.
- Low in calories, rich in phytonutrients beneficial for overall health.
How To Use
Garlic Chives flourishes under the following conditions:
- Season: Year Round
- Temperature: 15-25°C
- Germinate: 7-14 days
- Depth: 2 mm
- Spacing: 10x10 cm
- Harvest: 80-90 days
- Height: 15 cm
- Flowering Season: Late summer to early autumn
- Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Ideal Growing Environment
- Prefers a well drained substrate with amendments or pre-made soil containing all the necessary base additives. Ideal pH 6.0–7.0.
- Moderate and consistent. Do not overwater; prefers slightly moist soil.
- Apply balanced organic fertiliser or compost every 4–6 weeks during growing season.
- Performs best in moderate humidity (50–70%) with good air circulation.
- Grows well in most South African regions. In colder areas, treat as an annual or protect with mulch over winter.
- Benefits from being planted alongside carrots, tomatoes, lettuce and brassicas.
- Intercropping: Pair with tomatoes, capsicums, broccoli, or strawberries to deter pests.
- Crop Rotation: Use as companions or rotate after heavy feeders. Perennials (rosemary, thyme, lavender) stay in place longer.
- Soil Rejuvenation: Enhance soil microbes; use as borders between cycles.
- Avoid planting with beans and peas – may inhibit their growth.
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