Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for April, May, June, July.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Chives in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant divisionsLightFull or part sunTimingLight harvest in 8–12 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October, November.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October, November.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June, September, October.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Start well
Plant chives with confidence
Plant divisions. Prepare the final position first, retain the existing root-ball level and water thoroughly after planting.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- Use the mature width on the label; Patch's broad family guide is only a starting point.
- Soil
- Free-draining soil; Mediterranean herbs prefer leaner conditions; usually ph 6.0–7.5.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Feed lightly; rich fertiliser can reduce flavour in Mediterranean herbs.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water to establish, then match moisture to the herb’s natural climate.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Weed carefully because shallow roots dislike competition, and reduce watering as bulbs approach maturity.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
Light harvest in 8–12 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Look for thrips, onion maggot and basal rot. Free drainage and rotation are more useful than heavy feeding late in the season.
Useful neighbours
Often grown beside carrots, beetroot, lettuce and brassicas. Keep away from peas and beans where close spacing would restrict their growth.
People and pets
Safety note
Allium plant material can poison cats and dogs. Keep it inaccessible to pets that chew plants.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026