When to Plant Chives in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Sow June to March. Right now in September you can sow.
Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
This Chives guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
One of the most reliable and forgiving herbs in the Australian garden. Perennial clumping herb with mild onion-flavoured hollow leaves and edible purple pompom flowers. Grows in all 7 Australian zones with minimal fuss. Excellent border plant and companion for roses and fruit trees.
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/T/D | S/T/D | T | - | - | S | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D | S/T/D |
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is Chives sowing time in Alice Springs?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Chives included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
Current Growing Conditions
Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 10–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant
Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
How to Grow Chives in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
When to Plant
Plant Mar-Nov. Needs irrigation year-round.
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil with compost. Tolerates most soil types.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade. Tolerates more shade than most herbs.
- Spacing
- 15cm apart, 25cm between rows
- Watering
- Regular watering, especially in pots. Tolerates some drought but leaves become tough and hollow when stressed. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Companion plants: Rose, Tomato, Carrot, Apple tree, Grape vine
Avoid planting near: Beans, Peas
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Chives
Recommended Varieties
- Common chives
- Garlic chives
Key Challenges
- Heat stress in summer
- Needs consistent watering
Pro Tips
- Mulch heavily
- Afternoon shade helps in summer
- Garlic chives more drought tolerant than common chives
Harvesting Chives
When ready: Harvest when leaves are 15cm+ tall. Use scissors to cut to 2-3cm above soil level.
How to harvest: Cut entire clump to 2-3cm with sharp scissors. Leaves regrow in 2-3 weeks. Do not pick individual leaves. Cutting the whole clump promotes even regrowth.
Common Chives Pests in Arid / Semi-Arid Zones
Organic prevention: Good air circulation. Avoid overwatering. Healthy plants resist aphids.
Where to next
Get the Full Interactive Guide
Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.
Open the planting dashboard Join Garden BuddyCommon Questions About Chives
When do you plant chives in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to Jul
- Subtropical (Brisbane): all year
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to May, Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan to May, Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan to Apr, Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Mar, Jun to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to May, Aug to Dec
Does chives grow all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Jun to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.