Herb
Can you grow Chives on a balcony?
Allium schoenoprasum
Yes — great in containers
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) grows well on a balcony in a pot of at least 6 litres (about 20 cm deep). It needs full sun — around 4+ hours of direct sun a day. Harvest leaves from late spring until they die back in autumn; snip regularly. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (4+ h)
Min. pot
6 L · 20 cm
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
USDA 3-9
Container fit
Excellent
Sow
Sow indoors in early spring for planting out in late spring once about 10cm tall, or sow directly outdoors in spring
Harvest
Harvest leaves from late spring until they die back in autumn; snip regularly
Good companions: Carrots, celery, lettuce, tomatoes; interplanting with carrots reduces carrot rust fly damage
Avoid nearby: Beans, peas and other legumes (allium root exudates inhibit their nitrogen-fixing bacteria)
Balcony tip: Grow in a pot at least 20cm wide and deep in peat-free loam-based compost; keep the compost evenly moist and bring indoors over winter to extend harvesting
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What size pot does Chives need?
Chives needs a container of at least 6 litres, roughly 20 cm deep. Bigger pots dry out more slowly and give better yields on a balcony.
How much sun does Chives need on a balcony?
Chives wants full sun — about 4+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Chives?
Sow indoors in early spring for planting out in late spring once about 10cm tall, or sow directly outdoors in spring. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Chives
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Chives
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.