How to grow garlic chives in a raised bed

Garlic chives (Chinese chives) give you a gentle garlic flavour from flat, strappy leaves, plus pretty, edible white flowers. Hardy and perennial, they're a set-and-forget herb for a raised bed.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 15–20 cm clumps
• Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 10–12 weeks, then for years

When should I plant garlic chives?

Garlic chives are a hardy perennial — plant in spring or autumn and enjoy them for years. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): February to October
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): August to April
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): September to March
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): April to August
• Arid inland: March to September

How do I grow garlic chives in a raised bed?

Plant into rich, moist mix. They spread by seed if you let the flowers set, so snip the flower heads if you want to keep them contained.

How often should I water and feed garlic chives?

Keep the mix evenly moist for tender leaves; not fussy once established.

What pests attack garlic chives?

Keep an eye out for aphids and thrips — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.

What are the common problems with garlic chives?

The main one to watch is rust, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

What grows well with garlic chives?

A useful companion said to deter pests; the flowers are loved by bees and hoverflies. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest garlic chives?

Cut the flat leaves at the base as you need them; use the flowers too. Best fresh in stir-fries and dumplings.

More growing guides: chives, spring onions and coriander.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.