The Best and Worst Companion Plants for Chives

Chives: Best and Worst Companion Plants

Chives are a valuable companion plant in any herb or vegetable garden. These bulbous, hardy perennial herbs belong to the onion family and are closely related to garlic, onion, scallions, and leeks.

Their natural pest-repellent properties and pollinator-friendly blooms make them an excellent ally to many crops. Below is a list of their best and worst companions, along with reasons why these pairings succeed—or fail.

What Is Companion Planting?

Companion planting is an organic method of preventing or protecting plants from pests and diseases, attracting the right types of insects for pollination, enhancing nutrient uptake, and increasing crop production simply by growing specific plants near each other. In essence, companion planting helps bring a balanced ecosystem to your landscape, allowing nature to do its job.

Benefits of Companion Planting with Chives

Organic Pest control

Some plants can emit scents that either repel insects, attract them, or confuse insects or disease organisms in search of their favorite host plants. They make insects less likely to land on your garden vegetables.

Chives are a natural insect repellent and can deter pests such as aphids, snails, slugs, and Japanese beetles.

Attracts beneficial insects

Chive blossoms are rich in nectar and attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects like ladybugs that support garden productivity and help repel garden bugs like aphids.

Enhances Growth and Flavor

Chives are believed to enhance the flavor and vigor of crops such as tomatoes and strawberries. Their presence can subtly improve taste and help boost yields.

Disease Prevention

When planted near roses, chives help repel black spot and aphids, making them excellent companions in ornamental beds as well as vegetable gardens.

Better Soil Use

With compact roots and upright growth, chives make great underplantings and border fillers, efficiently utilizing space without crowding out other crops.

Best Companion Plants for Chives

Vegetable Companions

• Tomatoes: They help repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests while enhancing tomato flavor. Their scent can confuse insects and reduce infestations.
• Carrots: Help mask the scent of carrots, protecting them from carrot rust flies. A border around carrots is especially effective at repelling this pest.
• Broccoli and Cabbage: Repel cabbage moths and enhance growth when planted near brassicas.
• Celery: The strong scent helps deter aphids and other pests that attack celery.
• Lettuce: Helps repel flea beetles and aphids when planted nearby, especially when combined with sweet alyssum or garlic.

Fruit and Flower Companions

• Strawberries: Deter aphids and mask the fruit’s scent, reducing pest pressure while supporting plant vigor.
• Roses: Help prevent black spot and repel aphids. Visible results may take two to three years.
• Apples: Planting them near apple trees helps prevent apple scab. A tea can also be sprayed to treat and prevent this disease.
• Marigolds: These flowers repel a wide range of pests and support garden resilience.
• Nasturtiums: Known for attracting aphid predators and repelling aphids themselves, nasturtiums pair well in companion planting strategies.

Herb Companions

• Basil: Both repel pests and attract pollinators, creating a beneficial environment in herb gardens.
• Parsley: Thrives with similar moisture and soil needs, making them easy garden neighbors.
• Dill: Their compatible growth habits and pest-repelling qualities make them natural partners.

Bad Companions

• Beans and Peas: Chives may inhibit growth in legumes and should not be planted nearby.

Chive Varieties

Think all chives are created equal? Think again! There’s a whole world beyond the classic Common Chives. Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are your go-to for a mild oniony bite and those pretty purple blooms that look great sprinkled on a salad. But for a punchier, garlicky twist, try Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) — flat-leaved, white-flowered, and fabulous in stir-fries. Want something with a cool blue-green vibe? Siberian Chives (Allium nutans) bring ornamental charm and robust flavor. And if you want an extra presence, Giant Siberian Chives (Allium ledebourianum) have large violet blooms and bold flavor. Each variety offers something a little different in both the kitchen and garden, so why not mix and match? Growing a few types gives you layered flavor and color all season long. Your garden — and your cooking — will thank you!

Cooking with Chives

Chives may be humble, but they know how to steal the show in the kitchen! Those slender green stalks bring a gentle onion zing to just about anything — from scrambled eggs and baked potatoes to creamy soups and herb butters. Want to go gourmet? Use their edible flowers as a gorgeous (and tasty!) garnish for salads or compound butters.

You can even infuse vinegar with the blossoms for a tangy pink delight. Whip them into dips, stir them into pasta dishes, or sprinkle them over roasted veggies — there’s almost no wrong way to use these charming little plants.

Bonus: they’re one of the few herbs that freeze well, so you can always keep a stash handy. Whether you’re cooking up comfort food or something fancy, chives add flavor, freshness, and a bit of edible elegance to every bite.

Can Chives Help with Pest Control in a Vegetable Garden?

Yes, chives are known for their natural pest-repellent properties. Their strong onion-like scent helps deter common pests such as aphids, Japanese beetles, snails, and slugs. They are particularly effective when planted near carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce, where they help mask plant scents and confuse pests such as carrot flies and spider mites.

What Herbs Pair Well with Chives in a Culinary Garden?

Chives thrive alongside several culinary herbs that share similar growing conditions. Good companions include basil, parsley, dill, marjoram, and tarragon. These herbs not only grow well together but also complement each other in cooking.

How Do Chives Benefit Rose Plants?

Chives can help protect roses by repelling aphids and preventing fungal diseases like black spot. While results may take a few seasons to become fully effective, planting them near rose bushes can enhance plant health and reduce the need for chemical treatments.

Are There Any Flowers That Complement Chives in a Garden?

Yes, chives pair beautifully with flowers that enhance pest control and attract pollinators. Here are some excellent flower companions:

• Marigolds: Their vibrant blooms repel nematodes and insects while attracting beneficial allies like hoverflies and ladybugs, boosting garden resilience.
• Nasturtiums: These colorful, peppery flowers help deter aphids and whiteflies, and make excellent visual and functional companions.
• Calendula: Known for attracting ladybugs and lacewings, calendula supports natural pest control and brings golden color to herb gardens.
• Cosmos: These airy, delicate flowers draw in pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing flowering and yield while adding height and charm.
• Roses: Chives help prevent black spot and deter aphids on rose bushes, making them protective companions that may even boost rose fragrance.

Can Chives Be Grown Indoors with Other Herbs?

Absolutely. Chives adapt well to indoor conditions and can be grown alongside other sun-loving herbs such as basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight or supplement with a grow light for best results.  According to the ASPCA, these little plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Pet owners should avoid planting them within easy reach of animals. Keep it Fresh: 20 Best Herbs to Grow Indoors All Year.