Chive microgreens, also known as micro chives, are elongated microgreens with a needle-like appearance. On average, chive microgreens are 5 to 10 centimeters long. The leaves are bright green and may have edible blackish purple seeds still attached to the tips of the stem.
Chives are from the allium family, which offers a number of health benefits, including anti-cancer properties, improved sleep, regulated mood, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular risk. Chive microgreens are filled with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and E, along with B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Chives are a close relative to onions, shallots, leeks, and garlic; however, their flavor is less pungent. Chives microgreens are easy to grow and add a delightful flavor to your favorite dishes. Grow chive microgreens and add them to your soup, salads, and sandwiches for a punch of flavor.
Chives microgreens are one of the slower types of microgreens to grow; however, it is worth the time and energy. Micro chives have a unique flavor that compliments hamburgers, soups, or salads. Our easy-to-understand microgreen profile provides you with the information you need for micro chives.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Pleasant mild, onion flavor |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | No; however, you can presoak for a few hours to speed up germination times. |
| Color | Green |
| Germination Time | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Harvest Time | 3 weeks |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 2-3 – Microgreens have a long germination period. |
Chive microgreens may be slow to germinate, but they have a consistently high germination rate Micro chives are prized for their flavor as it compliments most salads, soups, and side dishes.
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning growing chives microgreens.
Although some microgreens can regrow after harvesting under favorable conditions, micro chives do not regrow.
It takes approximately 3 weeks for your chive microgreens to grow.
Chives microgreens can be grown in either soil or hydroponically. We recommend using the following method to ensure your success when growing micro chives. All you need is a few pieces of equipment, some growing medium, and chive microgreens to have a tray full of these wonderful microgreens.
A deluxe microgreen starter kit will provide you with everything you need to grow chives microgreens. Simply purchase this kit and your seeds and you are on your way to growing delicious micro chives.
If you decide to purchase your equipment separately, here is a list of items you will need to be able to grow micro chives:
If you decide to soak your chives microgreens, you will want to use a pint mason jar with a screw top lid. Although soaking is not required, soaking your chive seeds will speed for a few hours will speed up the germination process.
Chives microgreens can be grown hydroponically or in a growing medium like coconut coir or seed starting potting soil.
Coconut coir is our preferred growing medium for microgreens or chives. This type of growing medium drains well and is considered the ultimate growing medium for microgreens.
Seed starting soil provides your microgreens with the nutrients they need to flourish. Remember to avoid overwatering your soil as it can disturb the delicate roots of microgreens.
You will need three microgreen trays for your chives microgreens – two for the bottom and one for the top. One tray will need to have holes, two should be solid with no holes. The 10x20 inch growing tray is often preferred; however, growing trays are also available in 10-inch square sizes.
The holes in the growing tray allow the roots to draw the water upwards.
One growing tray without holes is used as a humidity dome. The other one is used for bottom watering.
A simple misting bottle allows you to gently water your soil without disturbing your chive microgreen seeds.
An LED full spectrum grow light provides your micro chives with the light they need to grow healthy.
The optional heating mat helps maintain the proper soil temperature for germination.
A microgreen planting rack lets you grow multiple trays of microgreens in a small area. Furthermore, the planting rack allows you to attach grow lights and circulation fans to the rack for improved growth.
Although circulation fans are optional, we recommend them. Circulation fans help to reduce the risk of mold and other soil borne diseases.
Chives microgreen seeds at True Leaf Market have high germination rates. You will reap a large harvest of micro chives within about 3 weeks.
Are you ready to begin growing chives microgreens? If so, our easy to follow, step by step guide will teach you everything you need to know to begin growing chives microgreens. Then, within a matter of weeks, you will be harvesting and enjoying fresh, delicious chives microgreens.
It only takes a few minutes to prepare your chives microgreens growing trays for planting. Begin by placing the growing tray with holes inside a growing tray with no holes. This setup allows for easy bottom watering once your seeds have been planted.
Next, you will need to fill your growing tray with holes up with your growing medium. Then, use the third tray to gently tamp down your soil level so that it is slightly below the top edge of the growing tray. Add more soil if necessary to ensure an even, flat soil surface for your microgreen seeds.
Once you have leveled your soil, you must moisten the soil thoroughly. Spray your soil thoroughly using your misting bottle and wait for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the soil to absorb the water. Then spray again.
Continue misting the soil and waiting 5 to 10 minutes until the soil is completely moist. Typically, you must water the soil three times to ensure moisture uniformity.
You can also remove the bottom tray and set your tray with holes in an inch or so of water. Allow the tray to soak for 30 minutes. Then, remove the tray from the water, allow it to drain, and then place it inside your growing tray with no holes.
Once you have your soil ready and properly moistened, it is time to plant your chives microgreens seeds. You will need approximately 2 ounces of chive microgreen seeds for each 10 inch by 20 inch growing tray.
Sprinkle your seeds evenly across the soil, using your hand or a seed shaker. Spread the seeds generously across the entire tray to ensure even germination. Then, lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
Finally, using your misting bottle spray the entire surface of the tray one more time to help ensure the top layer of soil and the seeds are properly moistened.
Once the chives microgreen seeds have been planted, you will want to invert the third growing tray on top of your microgreen seeds. Place a brick or heavy stone on top of the inverted tray. This weight will help your chives microgreens seeds to grow strong healthy roots.
Place your germination tray in a dark place with good air circulation. Because the micro chive seeds take several weeks to germinate, you will need to periodically check the moisture level of your soil.
If the soil has dried out, add water to the tray with no holes and allow the soil to soak up the moisture for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, remove the bottom tray and pour out any remaining water. Place the tray back in the dark to ensure proper germination.
When your microgreens have germinated, remove the inverted tray and thoroughly water your microgreens using the bottom watering method described above. Throughout the remaining growing cycle, you will want to ensure that your microgreen roots are well watered; however, avoid overwatering or allowing your microgreens to sit in water because it can increase the risk of mold.
After your microgreens have been watered, it is time to remove the inverted tray and place your chives under grow lights. Grow lights are designed to help activate photosynthesis to ensure a healthy, large crop. On average, you want to place your chive microgreen grow lights approximately 12 inches above the goring tray.
You will leave the microgreens under the grow lights 24 hours a day for 4 to 7 days until your microgreens grow approximately 2 inches. You want to watch your microgreens carefully so they can be harvested before they grow too large and become tough and woody.
Once you have placed your chives microgreens under the full spectrum grow lights, you will need to turn on your circulation fans. The circulation fans ensure that your microgreens get an ample amount of airflow to reduce the risk of moisture borne and soil borne disease. Much like the grow lights, the circulation fans will run continuously until it is time to harvest your chive microgreens.
Knowing when to harvest micro chives involves sight and taste. First, you want your microgreens to reach a height of approximately 2 inches high. You will also want to taste your microgreens to ensure they have developed the proper taste profile.
Once your microgreens are ready to harvest, withhold all watering for approximately 8 to 12 hours. Doing so will help ensure your microgreens are crisp and tasty at harvest time. Excessive water in your microgreens can cause them to become soggy, and it can reduce the storage time for chives microgreens.
All you need to harvest chive microgreens is a sharp pair of scissors or a sharp knife. Snip or cut the microgreens slightly above the soil line, being careful not to crush the chives microgreens.
If you will be eating your microgreens immediately, dunk your microgreens in a cool water bath and spread out on a paper towel to air dry. If you will be storing your microgreens, do not put them in water; instead, follow the storage direction listed below.
Chive microgreens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days when they are properly prepared for storage. Begin by loosely wrapping your microgreens in a paper towel. The paper towel will help absorb any moisture. Secondly, place your wrapped microgreens in an airtight storage bag or airtight container.
If you will be shipping your microgreens, follow the storage instructions listed above. Keep the microgreens out of direct sunlight and keep them in a refrigerated area during transport.
Once you are ready to enjoy your chives microgreens, remove them from the package and place them in a cool water bath. Swirl the microgreens to remove any dirt and then lay them on clean, dry paper towels and allow to air dry.
Chive microgreens are easy to grow as long as you are patient. Chive microgreens have a long germination period; however, the germination rate is high. Plant your seeds every week or two to help ensure you have fresh chive microgreens for your garnishes, soups, sandwiches, and more.
