Allium tuberosum (Chinese Chives)
| Also known as: | Garlic Chives |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Allium |
| Family: | Alliaceae (Onion) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat: | sun; gardens, roadsides, fields |
| Bloom season: | August - October |
| Plant height: | 12 to 20 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | none |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.
Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/allium-tuberosum-3.jpg)
Flowers are produced in a showy round cluster (umbel), about 2 inches across, at the tip of a sturdy, leafless stalk. Each cluster may have up to +50 buds though only a portion are open each day during the season's bloom progression. Each flower is about ¼ inch across with 6 star-like tepals (sepal and petals are undifferentiated), 6 stamens with prominent brown tips (anthers), and a single slender style in the greenish center. A thin greenish or purplish or brown midline on the backside of the tepals can be observed on the unopen buds. Each flower has a slender stalk about 1 inch long attaching it to the main stem. At the base of the cluster are 1 to 3 papery bracts.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/garlic-chives_0916_164416.jpg)
Leaves are basal, flat and linear, to 12 inches long and ¼ inch wide, smooth and waxy textured when young, a mild onion odor when crushed, and very floppy. The single flowering stem is round, nearly ¼ inch in diameter and solid through the center.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/white/garlic-chives_0916_164343.jpg)
Each seed capsule has three cells with 1 or 2 seeds per cell. The capsule walls turn papery brown and split open when dry revealing the black, shiny seeds inside.
Notes:
Distributed for cultivation for both its flowers and culinary purposes over the last thirty years, increasingly gardeners are noticing the highly aggressive streak in this onion species. I had this growing in my own backyard herb garden and now several years later still find it popping up here and there—seems it will not die... Not surprisingly then, it is also showing up on state weed lists. A prolific seed producer, it also multiplies by division and can form dense colonial mono-cultures over time. A high drought tolerance and herbicide resistance along with good cold hardiness likely means this will become another foreign place holder in our diminishing native ecosystems. Our images from 2011 were from the first naturalized population observed in Minnesota and provided the first herbarium record for this species in the State of Minnesota.
Native Plant Nurseries, Restoration and Landscaping Services ↓
Map of native plant resources in the upper midwest
More photos
Chinese Chives plants
more flowers
a roadside infestation of Chinese Chives
garden-grown Chinese Chives
Chinese Chives plants
more flowers
a roadside infestation of Chinese Chives
garden-grown Chinese ChivesPhotos by K. Chayka taken along Hwy 61 in southeast Redwing, Goodhue County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Goodhue County and in a private garden in Anoka County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2016-09-05 15:17:52
Unknowingly I bought "garlic chives" at the farmers market a couple of years ago. Even though the main plant was removed before blooming this spring, it left behind enough seeds to keep me busy weeding all this year... I wish more people were aware of invasive species. I noticed toady UMN has Japanese barberry on a deer resistant plant list.
on: 2017-08-29 01:10:46
I'm certain this is the plant I have discovered blooming in my flowerbed. About three of them came up this spring under my forsythia bush. I wasn't sure what they were - there were some daylilies in the area too. So I left them. Today I noticed they are blooming. They look like onions gone to seed, but the leaves aren't as thick as an onion and there are more of them. I did not plant anything in this area. It had been rather overgrown and last fall we grubbed out most of the plants (yarrow, wild anemones, and weeds!). Should I be trying to get rid of them? The butterflies and bees seem to like the flowers.
on: 2017-08-29 06:37:16
Yes, Cynthia, get rid of them. Keep in mind they volunteered in your yard. Left to their own devices, they will escape your yard and volunteer elsewhere, too. If you want to feed the bees, plant native a Allium. Native plant nurseries will have them. Note that even the native onions will spread in a landscape planting, but they are manageable.
on: 2019-09-09 08:29:52
I bought these seeds,labeled "garlic chives" 3 years ago and planted next to my other chives. I was pleased when I saw how the bumblebees love them. They have stayed in the garden area I planted, but am wondering if I should dig them up, now finding out their origin is SE Asia.
on: 2020-08-23 12:06:18
I spotted these white flowers growing amongst a thicket of blackberry vines. Took me a while to figure out what they were, but now that I know, I will dig them up before they go to seed. Bees seem to love them, wish they were native.
on: 2021-05-08 10:29:20
We have at least 2 kinds of chives and I'm worried one may be this invader. The leaves are flat, crab-grass-like but fleshy and get as wide as 1/2 inch. They come together in a reddish sheath about 1/2 to 1 inch above the soil, so I hope that means they aren't the Chinese chives. Please advise? I would really like to see photos of the bases of all the chive varieties up on this website to make identification easier.
on: 2021-05-09 09:49:09
Ellen S., wild leek is the only Allium species native or naturalized in Minnesota with leaves that wide, but leaves alone are not likely to help with an ID. Post some photos on the Minnesota Wildflowers Facebook page for more help.
on: 2021-09-04 22:03:27
Came upon a few of these blooming in a ditch by a gravel road just outside of Morris. Looked them up here and was sad to see that they are not native and will likely spread.
on: 2022-06-24 10:32:14
These garlic chives are in my yard from previous owner. They form a THICK mat that crowds everything out. I take off flower heads on all plants when they bloom and then pull the whole plant including all roots when I have more time. Very hard to get rid of!
on: 2023-08-30 19:16:29
A couple of populations along mowed trail edges in wooded area west of the recreation center. I posted an observation to iNaturalist with photos and approximate location.
on: 2024-04-28 04:23:05
I like it. Who has a specific address?
on: 2024-04-28 07:17:53
Jack, specific addresses will not be posted here.