Good and Bad Chives Companion Plants

Have you ever considered planting chives but weren’t sure what to plant next to them?

Chives are the perfect herb to include in your garden. The reason is that they make great companion plants for many vegetables and flowers.

Yes, their aromatic qualities help to repel aphids and other common garden pests naturally. Their lively purple flowers will also attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, to your garden [1].

On the other hand, some plants do not grow well next to chives. Some plants may even harm your chives if they are grown too close to your chives patch.

Read on to discover some of the best and worst companion plants for chives.

Good Companion Plants for Chives

Chives are great companion plants for many veggies, herbs, and flowers in your garden. Some of the best companions for chives are:

Tomatoes: Chives help repel aphids and other pests that feed on tomato plants. Their flowers also attract beneficial insects, such as bees, that pollinate the tomatoes.

Carrots: Chives mask the scent of carrots in the soil, confusing carrot flies and other pests.

Cucumbers: Chives also deter some cucumber pests, like cucumber beetles. They also attract pollinators to the cucumber flowers.

Lettuce: Chives help keep flea beetles away from lettuce. Aphids will also stay far from your lettuce plants when chives are nearby.

Roses: Chives will help keep aphids away and prevent black spots on roses. Chives may also help improve the health of roses and their blooms.

Broccoli and cabbage: Chives keep pests like aphids and cabbage moths away. These pests can harm your broccoli, cabbage, and other cole crops.

Marigolds: These flowers complement chives to create a garden that is more resistant to pests. The combination of these two plants creates a barrier that is effective against many garden pests.

Nasturtiums also repel pests. Moreover, when combined with chives, they increase the overall resistance of the garden to insect invasions.

Parsley and cilantro: These two herbs thrive in the same growing conditions as chives. They also benefit from chives’ pest-repellent properties. Therefore, they make excellent companions for garden beds.

Dill: Chives repel harmful insects that might affect dill. On the other hand, dill attracts beneficial insects. They are, therefore, a good pair for your herb garden.

Celery: Chives also save celery from attacks by insects, such as aphids.

Strawberries: The strong scent of chives masks the fruity smell of strawberries. This helps to keep many pests away.

What Not to Plant with Chives

As you can see from the list above, chives grow well next to many plants. However, there are a few plants with which they do not get along.

For starters, avoid planting chives next to beans and peas. When planted closely together, chives may inhibit the growth of legumes.

It’s also not recommended to grow chives near sage. Alliums, such as chives, prefer moister soil, while others, like sage, like a drier one. 

Additionally, chives have a root system that produces chemicals that can be harmful to the growth of asparagus. Therefore, do not plant them next to each other. 

If you have limited space at home, use containers to grow chives. Doing so helps keep chives separate from plants that don’t get along.

How to Grow Chives

To grow chives, start with a small pot or container and a quality potting mix. Chives are perennial herbs, meaning they will return year after year.

Chives are easy to grow from seed. You can start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, or directly sow the seeds in your garden when the soil becomes workable.

Water the chives regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilize the chives once a month.

Fertilizer Requirements

Chives are not heavy feeders and do not require regular fertilization.

However, adding fertilizer during the growing season helps your chives grow better and produce more leaves.

A 5-10-5 fertilizer mix is excellent for chives.

Garden Pests That Affect Chives

Chives are generally pest-resistant, but a few common garden pests may feed on the leaves or bulbs of these plants.

Onion maggots and thrips are common pests that affect chives [2]. Mealybugs, snails, and slugs may also affect them.

For some of these pests, you can pick them off by hand in small gardens. Others can be difficult to control, but insecticidal soap, spinosad, or neem oil may provide some relief.

Plant Diseases That Affect Chives

Chives can also be prone to a few diseases that may affect their growth and vitality.

The most common are damping-off, pink root, and downy mildew. Chives are also susceptible to Botrytis leaf blight and rust.

For the most part, removing infected plant parts and avoiding overhead watering can help.

Good cultural practices also help keep your chives healthy.

Ensure that you provide proper lighting, moisture, and adequate air circulation. Doing so will help prevent plant diseases and promote the health of your chives.

How to Harvest

When your chives are fully grown, it’s time to enjoy the harvest!

You can harvest chives several times in a growing season. Here’s how to harvest them:

Snip chives when the leaves are at least 6 inches long. Use scissors or garden shears and cut the chives down to about an inch from the ground.

However, take care not to damage the roots. The chives will quickly regrow, ready for another harvest in 2 to 3 weeks.

Where to Buy Seeds

When it comes to purchasing seeds, you have several options.

Local nurseries and garden centers are a great place to start. They will offer a selection of popular seed varieties that are well-suited to your area.

You can also get advice from the staff on which types of seeds are right for your needs. Many nurseries also offer organic and heirloom seeds.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, shop online. Large retailers like SeedsNow have a wide selection of organic chives and other seeds at affordable prices.

Takeaway

So, there you have it: some great companion plants for your chive garden. Not only will chives thrive alongside these plants, but they will also benefit from each other’s presence.