Plant Details

Allium schoenoprasum

Wild chives

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Common names

49 names · 37 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (36)
Dutch
  • Bieslook[1]
  • Snijlook
French
  • Ciboulette[1]
  • Ciboulette sauvage
  • Civette[1]
Arabic
  • ثوم معمر[1]
Cantonese
Catalan
  • all junciforme[1]
  • cibulet[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • pažitka pobřežní[1]
Danish
Estonian
Finnish
  • Ruoholaukka[1]
  • Ruohosipuli[1]
Galician
German
  • Schnitt-Lauch[1]
  • Schnittlauch[1]
Haitian Creole
Hebrew
  • שום העירית[1]
Hungarian
  • Metélőhagyma[1]
Italian
  • erba cipollina[1]
Japanese
  • エゾネギ(広義)[1]
  • チャイブ[1]
Javanese
Kazakh
  • Шалғын жуа[1]
Lithuanian
  • Laiškinis česnakas[1]
Mongolian
  • Хүмхээл сонгино[1]
Norwegian
Occitan
Polish
  • Czosnek szczypiorek[1]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Лук скорода[1]
Slovak
  • pažítka jedlá[1]
Slovenian
Spanish
Swedish
Tamil
  • இனப்பூண்டு[1]
Turkish
  • Yaprak soğanı[1]
Ukrainian
  • Цибуля-трибулька[1]
Venetian
  • Ajo de bisi[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Allium schoenoprasum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Chives — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ciboulette — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Civette — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ruohosipuli — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ruoholaukka — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Schnittlauch — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Metélőhagyma — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Drobnjak — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • erba cipollina — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ceboliño — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Siv — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Lokio — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Arpagic — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Yaprak soğanı — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Gräslök — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Лук скорода — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • 細香蔥 — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • இனப்பூண்டு — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Grasløk — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Цибуля-трибулька — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ajo de bisi — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Ceboleta — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • pažitka pobřežní — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Pur-løg — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • murulauk — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • cebolinha — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • bieslook — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Cebolinho — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Czosnek szczypiorek — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Cebollino — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Laiškinis česnakas — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Cebollín — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • 蝦夷蔥 — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • 北葱 — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • 虾夷葱 — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • ثوم معمر — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Хүмхээл сонгино — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • 細香蔥 — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • wild chives — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • שום העירית — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Schnitt-Lauch — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • エゾネギ(広義) — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • Шалғын жуа — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • pažítka jedlá — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • all junciforme — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • cibulet — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.
  • チャイブ — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 59254; Allium schoenoprasum.

General information

Scientific name: Allium schoenoprasum
Accepted name (Kew): Allium schoenoprasum L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Amaryllidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Allium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Wild chives
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.3–0.46 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.3–0.43 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Evergreen
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Clumping

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers, Root
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Fungicide, Repellent, Bee forage

Description

The leaves of this plant can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried for later use. They have a mild onion aroma and pair well in salads or as a flavoring in soups. The leaves are usually available from late winter to early the following winter, especially when the plant grows in a warm and sheltered spot. They are a good source of sulfur and iron. The bulbs are small, usually no larger than 10 mm in diameter, and can be harvested along with the leaves, after which they are used as spring onions due to their mild onion flavor. The flowers can be used as a garnish in salads. It is important to mention that the flowers of this species are quite dry and less desirable than those of many other species.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1169904; name ID 294888; Allium L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1171891; name ID 296525; Allium schoenoprasum L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Allium schoenoprasum

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 1773007, ID 5TX7G: Allium schoenoprasum L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Allium schoenoprasum — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 5 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .