The Best Possible Way to Harvest Chives

By Calin Oancea anf Florin Gabriel

4/21/20244 min read

To correctly harvest chives, use sharp scissors to cut the stalks about 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) above the soil, select healthy stems, and leave at least two-thirds of the plant there if you want it to regrow.

We harvested chives multiple times and know how to do it correctly like experts. In this article, we will show you exactly how you can harvest your own chive herbs with the right technique.

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Chives that are ready to be harvested
Chives that are ready to be harvested
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dark green design
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How to Harvest Chives: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here are the simple steps broken down for you that our experts follow to harvest their chives the right way:

  1. Select Healthy Stalks or Stems: Look for firm, bright green stems. Avoid any that are yellowing or wilted.

  2. Cut with Sharp Scissors: Use clean, sharp scissors or kitchen shears to make a precise cut. This helps prevent damage to the remaining plant.

  3. Cut Above the Base: Snip the stalks and stems about 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) above the soil level. Cutting too close to the ground can harm the plant's base. We do this because it leaves a bit of length and this encourages new growth

  4. Harvest in Clumps: For a harvest without harming the plant, cut one-third of the clump at a time. This method ensures that the plant remains healthy and continues to produce more leaves.

multiple long, green Chive plants growing in a garden
multiple long, green Chive plants growing in a garden

When to Harvest Chives

We tried and tested this multiple times and concluded that chives are ready to be harvested once they reach about 15 cm (6 inches) in height usually a few weeks after the plant emerges.

How to Harvest Chives Without Killing the Plant

By leaving at least two-thirds of the plant untouched, you allow it to regrow for future harvests. If you do it correctly, regular harvesting can also promote growth, this is one of the techniques when growing herbs from seeds.

a lawn with flowering Chive plants
a lawn with flowering Chive plants
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How to Harvest Garlic Chives

Garlic chives can be harvested in the same way as regular chives. Cut the flower stalks off at the base as they emerge if you prefer to keep the plant's energy focused on leaf production. If you're harvesting the flowers as herbs for cooking, do so just before they bloom for the best flavor.

Post-Harvest Care

After harvesting, chives are on the list of herbs that can be utilized fresh stored or dried for later use. To store chives, wash them thoroughly and pat them dry. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, chives can be frozen or dried, which preserves their flavor well.

a buch of flowering Chive plants that bloom in a lawn
a buch of flowering Chive plants that bloom in a lawn
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Sources

Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies to support the facts we describe in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Growing and harvesting chives general information: https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/chives-in-the-garden, Growing chives in home gardens | UMN Extension

  2. Chives facts and plant information: Chives | Illinois Extension | UIUC, Chives, Allium schoenoprasum – Wisconsin Horticulture

  3. Information and facts on harvesting chives: How to Harvest Chives: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Life

  4. Caring for chives (after harvest): How to Grow and Care for Chives (thespruce.com)

  5. Ideal time for harvest: extension.unl.edu/statewide/saline/Harvesting & Drying Herbs.pdf

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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
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Article By:

Calin is in the garden industry for 5 years now and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and is responsible for most of the content.

Reviewed By:

Florin is responsible for reviewing most of the articles, some of the web design and occasionally making improvements so that everyhing we publish looks deam good.