If you've ever enjoyed the fresh, onion-like flavor of chives in your dishes, you know just how delightful this herb can be.

But did you know that you can easily multiply your chive plants through a process called division?

This method not only boosts your garden’s yield but also helps rejuvenate older plants.

While chives are perennial, dividing them can improve their productivity.

In this post, I’ll share how I propagate chives by division - no tools or gadgets required!

What is Division?

Division is one way to propagate your perennial plants. You are essentially splitting up one plant - dividing it at the root level - in order to multiply your plant population.

The important thing to keep in mind is that for division to be successful, plants should be split up so that the “new” plant comes with its own root system in tact.

Chives are a great first plant to practice division with. In fact, these were the first plant I ever propagated with this technique! Without much fuss, they settled in just as I hoped they would.

Chives are perfect for root division, since they naturally expand outwards in a clumping fashion as they get established in the garden.

When you divide these clumps, you create more plants from a single parent. This is a cost-effective, easy, and straightforward way to expand your herb garden and get more flavor from your backyard.

Why Propagate Chives?

There are several benefits that come with propagating chives by division:

1. Increased Yield: More chive plants = a larger harvest.
2. Easy Establishment: Instead of waiting a couple of years for your chive seedlings to come into bloom and be hardy, a divided plant gets established within just a couple of weeks. Urban Farmer even notes that chives are more successful when grown from division instead of from seed.
3. Free Plants: Who can pass that up?
4. Plant Rejuvenation: Dividing chives can invigorate older plants and trigger new growth.
5. Interplanting & Companion Planting: One of my favorite reasons to propagate chives is because its strong aroma can help protect my other crops from pests.

When to Divide Chives

• Plants are in Second Season or Older
• Early Spring or Late Fall

In order to have enough plant to divide up, you’ll want your chives to be in at least their second growing season. This gives them time to form numerous clumps.

While you can divide chives any time of year, the best periods for division are early spring according to University of MN Extension.

During this time, the plants are not in active growth, but will be starting soon. The goal is to let the new plants experience mild weather so they aren’t stressed by extreme heat or cold.

As a note, I’ve divided chives in spring, summer, and fall with the same amount of success.

Signs Your Chives Need Dividing

Here are some indicators that your chives would benefit from division:

• Overcrowding: If your chive clump is densely packed and spreading outwards, it's time to divide. Slimy greens, pests, and disease are also signs of overcrowding.
• Reduced Growth: If the plant's growth has slowed down significantly, division can stimulate new growth.

Preparing for the Division

Preparing the Plant

1. Hydrate: Water your chive plants thoroughly a day before you plan to divide them. This will make the soil easier to work with and reduce stress on the plant.
2. Optional: Loosen the Soil: Using a garden fork or spade, gently loosen the soil around the base of the plant if it’s compacted.
3. Pick out where your chive division will live: Look for a place with loose soil, where there would be 6+ inches of spacing on either side of the new plant.
4. Optional: Have compost or fertilizer available: Compost will add biodiversity to the soil microbiome population. This will help your chive plant to thrive in its new home. Organic nitrogen fertilizer applied during spring divisions will support the plant throughout the growing season.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing Chives

Uprooting the Plant

Digging Out:

• Carefully dig around the chive clump about 4-6 inches away from the base to avoid damaging the roots.
• I do this with my hands, but in compacted soil you’ll need a small shovel.
• Select a clump that is coming off of the plant. Gently lift the entire clump out of the ground.

Separating the Clump

Division:

• Shake off excess soil from the roots.
• If the clump was sizable, you can use your hands to divide the clump into smaller sections.
• Ensure each section has a good number of roots and shoots.

Transplanting the Divisions

Replanting:

• Dig holes in your garden or pots for the new divisions.
• Place each section in a hole, cover with soil, and press down gently.
• Bury the plants around 4 inches deep, and let them be spaced at least 6 inches apart for best results.

Keep it Hydrated:

• Water the new divisions thoroughly to help them establish in their new location.
• Keep them watered daily for a week before slowly tapering off.

Optional: Amend:

• Add compost around the chive plant in order to support the soil microbiome.

Aftercare for Divided Chives

Watering and Mulching

Consistent Moisture:

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
• Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture. Organic straw, grass clippings, or fallen leaves works great for this.

Fertilization

Nutrient Boost:

• During spring, feed your chives with an organic, nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage growth.

Common Issues and Solutions

• Transplant Shock: If your chives show signs of transplant shock (e.g., wilting), keep them well-watered and provide shade until they recover.
• Don’t Overdivide: Ensure each division has enough roots and shoots to thrive.
• Regular Maintenance: Divide your chives every few years to keep them vigorous.

Alternative Methods and Considerations

While division is an effective method, you can also propagate chives from seeds. However, this method takes longer and is less reliable.

Personal Experience and Tips

The first time I divided my chives, it was due to overgrowth. I had a chive plant growing in my greenhouse that was starting to spread a little too far.

I decided to see what would happen if I simply lifted some of the plant out and transplanted it elsewhere. I transplanted the cluster into some rows nearby, with the intention of extending my chive harvest window.

To my delight, it worked! Almost a little too well, actually. After a few seasons, the chives in these rows spread vigorously, which just meant that I had more divisions that I could make.

Now, I have chives scattered throughout the garden in different growing conditions. This allows me to harvest chive blooms over the summer with a seemingly endless supply. I’ve even had enough plants where I have shared excess clusters with neighbors, so they have their own plants too.

I love adding chopped chives to salads, or as a garnish to stir-fries or baked potatoes. Their pungent flavor really brightens up any savory meal.

FAQs about Chive Propagation

How often should chives be divided?

Technically, you can divide an established cluster of chives every year. Select groupings of chives from the outer edge of the stand. For younger chive plants, you probably will want to wait a couple of years to get going with division.

Can chives be divided in containers?

Yes, chives can be divided and then grown in pots. Ensure the pots are large enough to accommodate the new divisions.

How long does it take for divided chives to grow?

Divided chives typically establish themselves within a few weeks and will start producing new growth soon after.

Get more plants - propagate your chives!

Propagating chives by division is a straightforward and rewarding gardening practice. Not only does it increase your yield, but it also promotes the health and longevity of your plants. Give it a try, and you may find yourself with a thriving chive garden that you can share with friends and family.

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