Everything You Need to Know About Chives — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Kutsilyo — from seed to garnish.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Chopped chives are a classic garnish for congee (lugaw) and arroz caldo. They are also sprinkled over omelettes (tortang talong style), mixed into dipping sauces, and added to cream cheese dips popular at Filipino gatherings. The purple flowers are edible and make beautiful garnishes.
Chives are a convenient windowsill herb for Filipino condo dwellers. A small pot provides weeks of garnish for breakfast lugaw and fried rice. They are also believed to repel insects and are sometimes planted alongside onions and garlic in companion planting setups.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours direct sun)
Moderate; keep soil evenly moist. Do not let soil dry out completely.
Compost or vermicast at planting; light feeding with balanced liquid fertilizer monthly
15-28°C; provide shade when above 32°C
50-70%; tolerates Philippine humidity with good drainage
Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor. Remove flower stalks to encourage leaf growth.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Leaves are at least 15 cm tall, firm, and hollow. They snap cleanly when bent.
Cut leaves 3 cm above soil level with clean scissors. Harvest from the outside of the clump first. Leaves regrow continuously for months.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Yellowing or limp leaves
Cause: Overwatering or root rot from poor drainage
Solution: Improve drainage by adding perlite to soil. Allow top of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Thrips damage (silvery streaks)
Cause: Tiny insects that scrape leaf surfaces, common in dry weather
Solution: Spray with neem oil weekly. Remove heavily damaged leaves. Increase humidity around plants.
Slow or no regrowth after cutting
Cause: Cut too low to the soil or nutrient depletion
Solution: Always leave 3 cm of growth above soil. Side-dress with compost and liquid fertilizer.
Overcrowded clump
Cause: Natural growth pattern; clumps become congested over time
Solution: Divide clumps every 2-3 years and replant in fresh soil for rejuvenated growth.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.