Alliacées • Allium tuberosum

Organic Chinese Chives

"A fine, soft herb with the appearance of an Asian star"

$4.49

Number of seeds 200 seeds

Native to East Asia , Chinese chives ( Allium tuberosum ) are a hardy perennial that has become a staple in organic gardens as a discreet, generous, and valuable herb . Its flat, supple, deep green leaves form a dense, flexible clump, while its star-shaped white umbels , borne in late summer, attract a wide variety of pollinators and beneficial insects.

Traditionally used in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine , it adds a mild, vegetal garlic note to stir-fries, soups, stuffings, and noodles. More subtle than garlic or onion, it is prized for its delicate, aromatic flavor , which can be found in the young leaves, flower buds, and flowers.

In the garden, it integrates easily into borders, edible flowerbeds, or herb spirals , where it plays a valuable role in companion planting , notably through its natural repellent effect on certain unwanted insects . Undemanding , it is drought-tolerant, cold-hardy, and self-seeds readily , providing a vibrant and lasting presence.

Growing climate: Temperate climate
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Occasional
Annotation: Hardy plant, tolerates cold and some drought well.

Chinese chives subtly flavor a wide variety of dishes: soups, omelets, salads, as well as dumplings, pancakes, and Asian-inspired stir-fries. Their fresh leaves offer a mild, green garlic flavor, more delicate than that of regular garlic, ideal for enhancing a dish without overpowering it.

Its ornamental white flowers are also edible and can be added to salads for their visual and aromatic appeal. Chinese chives can be eaten fresh or dried, but freezing best preserves their subtle fragrance and flavor, even out of season.