Every product is independently reviewed and selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
If you’ve ever tucked chives into a crowded herb bed and later wondered why certain plants around them seemed stunted, bitter, or slow to take off, you’re not alone. Many beginner gardeners assume all herbs get along, but in real gardens—balcony pots or backyard beds chives can be surprisingly picky neighbors.
Chives release natural compounds that benefit some plants but stress others. Over the years in my own small garden beds, I’ve seen chives cause nearby legumes to stall, confuse the flavor of certain herbs, and even invite fungal issues when paired with moisture-loving crops.
This guide covers what not to plant with chives, why these combinations fail, and what to plant instead for a healthier, more productive herb garden.
Why Chives Don’t Get Along With Certain Plants
Chives are alliums close cousins to onions and garlic. Like their relatives, they:
- Release sulfur compounds into the soil
- Have shallow but competitive root systems
- Prefer consistent airflow and dislike being overshadowed
- Can alter soil microbiology around their root zone
These traits help repel pests, but they also interfere with crops that rely on nitrogen-fixing bacteria, have delicate root structures, or need high humidity.
In my own garden, the most noticeable issue has been nutrient competition. Chives might look light and grassy, but their root network expands quickly and hogs moisture in tight spaces—especially in containers.
What Not to Plant With Chives
1. Beans and Peas (Legumes)
This is the biggest no-go.
Legumes rely on nitrogen-fixing bacteria on their roots. The sulfur compounds released by chives (and other alliums) interfere with those microbes, leading to:
- Weak growth
- Yellowing leaves
- Poor pod production
In raised beds, I’ve seen beans produce almost nothing when planted next to chives moving them even one foot apart made a difference.
2. Asparagus
Asparagus has deep roots that resent competition. Chives, though shallow-rooted, spread aggressively and occupy the top layer of soil where young asparagus shoots need space.
Common issues include:
- Thinner, weaker spears
- Slower establishment in new beds
- Higher risk of crown rot due to restricted airflow
3. Carrots
Carrots and chives technically can coexist, but not closely. In real-world plantings, chives growing too close to carrot rows cause:
- Forked or twisted roots (from root disturbance)
- Smaller harvests
- Slower germination due to chive shading
If you’re sowing carrots, keep at least 8–12 inches between them and any established chive clump.
4. Most Other Alliums (Onions, Garlic, Leeks)
This seems counterintuitive, but overcrowding alliums causes all of them to underperform.
Problems I’ve observed:
- Slow bulb formation
- Increased mildew in humid climates
- Competition for shallow root space
You can grow them in the same bed—just not tightly packed together.
5. Moisture-Loving Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley)
These herbs prefer richer, moister soil than chives do. When planted side-by-side:
- Basil becomes more prone to downy mildew
- Cilantro bolts faster due to temperature differences
- Parsley competes poorly and becomes leggy
Chives thrive in slightly drier, well-drained soil—exactly the opposite of what these herbs need.
6. Plants That Need High Air Humidity
Examples:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Tatsoi
Chives prefer better airflow around the foliage, and grouping them with humidity-loving greens increases the risk of fungal diseases in both crops.
What You Can Plant With Chives (Better Companions)
To help balance your bed, here are plants that consistently pair well with chives:
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Roses
- Brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale)
- Peppers
- Most drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs (oregano, thyme, sage)
These plants benefit from chives’ pest-repelling traits and don’t mind the sulfur compounds.
What You’ll Need (If Reorganizing Your Garden)
- Garden trowel
- Compost or potting mix
- Mulch (straw, leaves, or bark)
- Separate pots or containers for chives and incompatible plants
- Labels (especially for balcony gardeners where spacing is tight)
Eco-friendly alternatives:
- Homemade compost
- Reused nursery pots
- Natural mulches
How to Separate Chives From Incompatible Plants (Step-by-Step)
If you already planted combinations that don’t work well, here’s how to fix it with minimal stress to the plants.
1. Water the area lightly
Damp soil helps roots come apart cleanly.
2. Gently lift the chive clump
Use a trowel and try to keep a root ball intact.
3. Move chives at least 12–18 inches away
In small balcony containers, put incompatible plants in their own pots completely.
4. Refill planting holes with compost
This helps stressed plants recover.
5. Water deeply but not daily
Let soil dry slightly between waterings when re-establishing herbs.
6. Watch leaf color
- Pale leaves = nutrient competition
- Droopy herbs = too much moisture shared between plants
7. Mulch lightly
Keeps soil temperatures stable during transplant shock.
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Chives spread faster than many gardeners expect divide them every 2–3 years.
- Avoid planting chives in the same pot as delicate herbs.
- In humid climates, give chives the breeziest corner of your herb bed.
- If your chives repeatedly flop over, they may be too shaded by taller plants.
- In compact spaces, pair chives only with drought-tolerant herbs.
FAQ
Can I grow chives and basil together in a container? Not ideal. Basil needs richer soil and more moisture than chives. They compete and both decline.
Why are my beans yellowing near my chive patch? Chives interfere with nitrogen-fixing bacteria on bean roots. Move beans at least a foot away.
How far apart should chives be from other alliums? Six to twelve inches minimum to prevent crowding and mildew.
Is it okay to let chives flower near other plants? Yes—flowers attract pollinators. Just avoid letting large clumps shade smaller herbs.
Can I grow chives next to mint? Technically yes, but mint will overtake chives quickly unless both are in containers.
When NOT to Grow Chives Near Other Plants
- In very small containers where roots have no room
- In beds where beans or peas are major crops
- In high-humidity climates where airflow is limited
- Next to moisture-loving herbs that resent drying soil
If you have only one or two planters on a balcony, consider giving chives their own pot.
Alternative Solutions
If you want the pest-repelling benefits of chives without planting them directly next to sensitive crops, try:
- Planting chives in nearby pots and placing the pots beside tomatoes or strawberries
- Using garlic spray as a foliage treatment (eco-safe when diluted correctly)
- Growing garlic chives instead, which spread less aggressively
Each method gives some of the same perks without the root-system competition.
Conclusion
Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow, but knowing what not to plant with chives is just as important as choosing good companions. Keep them away from beans, peas, asparagus, carrots, and moisture-loving herbs, and they’ll reward you with strong growth and reliable pest protection. With a bit of spacing and the occasional division chives become one of the most helpful herbs in any home garden, from balconies to backyard beds.