Growing Chive Indoors — Complete Guide
Yes, Chive can be grown indoors. Here's everything you need to know: container size, light requirements, watering schedule, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Chive Indoors — At a Glance
Container Size for Indoor Chive
Recommended: 6–8 inch pot
Chives grow in clumps and spread slowly. A 6-inch pot suits a small clump; an 8-inch pot allows a larger, more productive clump. Any pot depth works well.
Light Requirements
Hours of Light Needed
12–14 hours
per day, consistently
Grow Light Recommendation
Chives tolerate lower light than most herbs — a bright east or west window often suffices. For best growth, use a grow light for 12–14 hours. They can also be regrown from grocery store bunches placed in water.
Watering and Humidity
Ideal Humidity: 40–60%
Chives are tolerant of average home humidity. They're one of the most resilient herbs for indoor growing — they bounce back quickly from both over- and underwatering.
Ideal Temperature: 55–75°F (13–24°C)
Keep away from cold drafts (air conditioning, windows in winter) and excessive heat sources (heaters, ovens). Consistent temperature produces the most vigorous growth.
How to Grow Chive Indoors: Step by Step
Sow seeds or divide existing clumps
Sow chive seeds 1/4 inch deep, densely — they look like grass when young. Or divide an outdoor clump in autumn and pot it up. Or regrow grocery store chives in water.
Allow soil to stay slightly moist
Chives prefer consistently moist soil, unlike most herbs. Water when the top inch is dry. Do not let the pot sit in standing water.
Position in bright light
While chives tolerate shade, they grow more vigorously in bright light. A grow light for 12–14 hours or a bright windowsill both work.
Harvest with scissors
Snip chives with scissors 1–2 inches above the soil. New growth emerges quickly. The purple flowers are edible and mild-tasting.
Divide annually
Each year, divide the clump into sections and repot in fresh potting mix. This keeps the plant vigorous and prevents pot-bound exhaustion.
Common Indoor Chive Problems & Fixes
Yellow, limp leaves
Cause
Overwatering or pot-bound roots
Fix
Improve drainage; divide the clump and repot into fresh soil annually
Slow regrowth after harvesting
Cause
Cutting too close to the soil or insufficient light
Fix
Leave at least 2 inches of growth when harvesting; increase light
Leaf tips turning brown
Cause
Dry indoor air or fluoride in tap water
Fix
Use filtered or rainwater; place a humidifier nearby in winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Chive indoors?
Yes, Chive can be grown indoors with the right conditions. You'll need 12–14 hours of Full sun to partial shade, a 6–8 inch pot, and temperatures of 55–75°F (13–24°C). The difficulty level for growing Chive indoors is Easy.
How much light does indoor Chive need?
Indoor Chive needs 12–14 hours of light per day. Chives tolerate lower light than most herbs — a bright east or west window often suffices. For best growth, use a grow light for 12–14 hours. They can also be regrown from grocery store bunches placed in water.
What size container does indoor Chive need?
Chives grow in clumps and spread slowly. A 6-inch pot suits a small clump; an 8-inch pot allows a larger, more productive clump. Any pot depth works well.
Best Cities for Growing Chive Outdoors
If you're growing Chive indoors year-round, check the outdoor calendar for your city — you may be able to grow it outside during warmer months too.
Growing Chive Outdoors Too?
Find the best planting times for Chive in your city with our climate-based calendar.