Garlic Chives

Perennial hardy garlic chives with aromatic flat foliage, prized for their mild garlic flavor and highly decorative edible white flowers in late summer.

Format

Hardiness Zone 3

Difficulty level Easy

Family Amaryllidaceae

Garlic chives are a perennial herb much appreciated for their flat, green, aromatic foliage, with a delicate, mild garlic flavor. More subtle than fresh garlic, they add a fragrant flavor to salads, omelets, stir-fries, soups, dips, sauces, potatoes, grilled vegetables, and Asian dishes. They integrate easily into vegetable gardens, herb boxes, edible borders, and containers near the kitchen.

Easy to grow, garlic chives prefer a sunny to slightly semi-shaded location, in fertile, fresh, well-drained soil. They grow very well both in the ground and in pots, and return year after year once established. Regular pruning of the foliage encourages the production of new, tender leaves and helps maintain a dense, productive plant that is easy to harvest throughout the season.

At the end of the season, garlic chives produce pretty star-shaped white flowers, which are very decorative and popular with pollinators. Their flowers are also edible and can be used to garnish salads, buddha bowls, or fresh platters. Robust, flavorful, and versatile, garlic chives are an excellent aromatic plant for creating a gourmet, sustainable, and fragrant garden.