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A handful of fresh chives from your own garden turns scrambled eggs, baked potatoes, and creamy soups into something special. The problem is getting those first slender green shoots to actually show up — and fast. Inconsistent germination is the biggest headache when buying any seeds for chives, and the eight picks here tackle that head-on with healthy seed stock, smart packaging, and clear growing instructions.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
You want chive seeds that actually sprout and grow into strong plants, not a packet that sits in your drawer for years. The right choice depends on seed count, variety (common or garlic chives), and how the seller guarantees freshness. Here are eight real seed packs compared so you can pick with confidence.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Seeds For Chives
Picking the right chive seeds is mostly about honesty — what the seller guarantees if the packet doesn’t sprout. Beyond that, you match the seed type to your cooking preference and the packet size to your garden space.
Common chives vs. garlic chives
Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) produce hollow, dark-green tubes with a mild onion flavor and round purple-pink pom-pom flowers. Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) grow flat, wider leaves that taste gently of garlic, with white star-shaped blooms in late summer. The growing habit is almost identical, so the choice really is about which flavor you reach for more often in the kitchen.
Packet size and seed count
A standard retail packet holds between 200 and 500 chive seeds — plenty for a few 12-inch pots or a short garden row. Bulk bags (quarter-pound, half-pound, or full pound) give you thousands of seeds and make sense for microgreen growers, large raised beds, or anyone who plans to propagate and share. The trade-off is simple: large bulk packs cost more upfront but drop the per-seed price dramatically.
Germination guarantees and freshness
Chive seeds are naturally slow to germinate — 14 to 21 days is normal at 70°F. A reliable seller tests for germination before packaging and seals seeds in moisture-proof packets or mylar bags. Look for a guarantee that offers a replacement or refund if your seeds don’t sprout when planted correctly. This single feature saves more frustration than almost any other spec.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Varieties | Seed Count | Certification | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Seed Vault 44-Pack★ Best Overall | Massive variety & value | 44 (herb/veg/fruit) | 15,000+ | Non-GMO | Amazon |
| Seed Needs Common ChivesBest Value | Dedicated common chives | 1 (common chives) | 400 | Non-GMO / Heirloom | Amazon |
| Survival Garden Garlic ChivesGarlic Pick | Garlic flavor lovers | 1 (garlic chives) | 5 packets | Non-GMO / Heirloom | Amazon |
| Outsidepride 1/4 lb Common Chives | Bulk microgreens & cooking | 1 (common chives) | Bulk (1/4 lb) | Heirloom | Amazon |
| Organo Republic Edible Flowers | Edible flower variety | 20 (inc. chives) | 7,000+ | Non-GMO / Heirloom | Amazon |
| Sereniseed Organic Herb Pack | Certified organic kitchen herbs | 20 (inc. chives) | 20 packets | USDA Organic / Non-GMO | Amazon |
| HOME GROWN Organic Herb Kit | USDA organic 15-herb kit | 15 (inc. chives) | 2,500+ | USDA Organic / Non-GMO | Amazon |
| Outsidepride 1 lb Garlic Chives | Massive bulk garlic chives | 1 (garlic chives) | Bulk (1 lb) | Heirloom | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Seeds, 44 Packs, Non-GMO, 15,000+ Seeds
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 14,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The one giant vault that covers chives and everything else you might plant.
This is the do-everything seed collection for anyone who wants chives alongside a full veggie patch. The single pack includes Chives Common Wonder alongside staples like basil, thyme, oregano, and massive vegetable lineups — Beefsteak tomato, Sweet corn, and Sugar Pie pumpkin are all in there. The seeds come sealed in resealable, moisture-resistant packets inside a mylar bag so they stay viable for years. Buyers report “excellent germination rate even with neglect,” which speaks to the open-pollinated heirloom stock.
The biggest win here is the value per seed — you get over 15,000 total seeds across 44 varieties. For context, the dedicated chive packs below offer one single variety. If your goal is a productive garden with chives as one piece of the puzzle, this kit cuts the work of buying a dozen separate packets. The only catch is that you cannot control the specific chive variety; it is the common chive, not garlic chives.
What wins people over
- 44 varieties mean you get chives plus a full garden’s worth of herbs and vegetables
- High germination across the board, even with minimal care
- Resealable moisture-proof packaging for long-term storage
The honest trade-off
- Not a dedicated chive pack — you get one chive variety among many
- Beginners may find the sheer variety overwhelming to plan
Reach for this if: you want chives as part of a complete food garden and appreciate the huge per-seed value.
Think twice if: you only need chives and prefer a simple single-packet approach.
2. Seed Needs Common Chives Seeds to Plant Heirloom Non-GMO Herbs 5 Packs
Five illustrated packets of pure common chives with an 80x seed-count advantage over garlic chives packs.
These Seed Needs packets focus entirely on common chives — hollow green shoots with mild onion flavor and pink pom-pom blooms. You get 400 seeds spread across five beautifully illustrated 3.5 x 5 inch packets, each carrying a full sowing guide on the back. The plants mature to 18 inches tall and spread roughly 12 inches wide, behaving as hardy perennials in most climates. The number of pieces hits 400, which is a huge leap over the garlic chives pack that offers just 5 seeds total — an 80x gap in seed count.
Germination is the trait that buyers praise most, with 44 owners calling it out specifically. Seed quality comes in second as the most frequently mentioned positive aspect. A small number of owners mention no sprouts, though the overall experience leans heavily successful. These are open-pollinated heirloom seeds, so you can save seed year after year.
The defining spec: 400 seeds across five separate packets gives you plenty to share, store, or succession-plant without buying a bulk bag.
Go for these if: you want pure common chives in a generous, gift-ready multi-pack format with real growing instructions on every envelope.
Skip them if: you need garlic chives specifically, or you prefer a single larger packet instead of five smaller ones.
3. Garlic Chives Seeds for Planting – Heirloom Chinese Herb (5 Packs) | Non-GMO Chive Seed – Culinary Herb with Mild Garlic Flavor and Edible White Flowers
The garlic version with edible white flowers that keep pollinators busy all summer.
If you prefer the flat, garlic-kissed leaves of Allium tuberosum over the onion-like common chives, this five-packet set from Survival Garden Seeds is the right choice. The plants reach 18 inches tall and produce clusters of white blooms that attract bees and butterflies. The leaves are perfect for stir-fries, dumplings, and egg dishes — customers note the seeds “started up so nicely in little pots on my porch” with consistent watering and partial shade.
The brand positions these as a perennial “cut-and-come-again” herb that returns year after year with minimal maintenance. You can divide the clumps every few years to keep the plants productive. The honest risk is that germination can be inconsistent — some owners plant twice with no results, while others get strong sprouts with patience. The packets include detailed instructions for planting depth, soil temperature, and harvest timing.
Best for garlic lovers: the mild garlic flavor is noticeably different from standard chives and holds up beautifully in cooked dishes.
Choose this if: garlic chives are your go-to cooking herb and you want a pollinator-friendly perennial that returns each spring.
Look elsewhere if: you need guaranteed immediate germination or prefer common chives for their classic onion taste.
4. Outsidepride 1/4 lb Perennial Chives Herb Garden Seeds for Microgreens, Sprouts, & Cooking
Quarter-pound of seeds that covers microgreen trays, garden rows, and years of chive harvests.
This bulk bag from Outsidepride is built for quantity. You get a full quarter-pound of common chive seeds (Allium schoenoprasum), which is enough to sow dense microgreen trays on your kitchen counter or plant a long garden row. The plants grow to 12 inches tall in USDA zones 3 through 9, producing edible lavender flowers in summer. The suggested sowing rate is 1 to 2 seeds per inch, with germination taking about 21 days at 70°F.
The seed quality itself earns solid praise — 13 owners single it out positively. Germination, however, is the most-discussed aspect and it is mixed: some see sprouts within three days while others get very low rates. The bulk format is ideal for microgreen enthusiasts who want the unique oniony flavor of chive microgreens (which taste quite different from other microgreen varieties), but casual gardeners may find a standard packet more practical.
The advantage: the per-seed cost is extremely low, making this the right choice for serious volume planting or seed swapping with friends.
Buy this if: you grow microgreens commercially, have a large garden, or want a single bulk purchase to last multiple seasons.
skip it if: you only need a few pots of chives for occasional cooking — a smaller packet wastes less seed and money.
5. 20 Edible Flower Seeds Variety Pack – Indoor/Outdoor. 7000+ Non-GMO Heirloom: Borage, Bergamot, Nasturtium, Chives, Cape Daisy, Hyssop, Zinnia Seeds & More
Twenty edible flower varieties including chives, all in one resealable pack with QR-code growing guides.
Organo Republic bundles 20 edible flower and herb varieties into a single kit that includes chives alongside borage, nasturtium, chamomile, echinacea, and zinnia — over 7,000 seeds in total. Each variety comes in a resealable packet labeled with a QR code that links to full growing instructions, which is handy when you are in the garden and need to check spacing without running inside. The seeds are non-GMO heirloom stock tested for high germination before packaging.
Buyers consistently note the dependable growth and appreciate that you can regrow flowers like nasturtiums from saved seeds for long-term value. The chive component is the common chive variety, which gives you edible flowers (the pink pom-poms) as well as the leaves. The trade-off is that each individual packet contains relatively few seeds compared to a dedicated chive packet, so this is best viewed as a variety sampler rather than a bulk chive source.
Best planted as an edible landscape: you get colorful flowers you can eat plus chives for the kitchen, all from one purchase.
Reach for this if: you want an edible flower garden with chives as part of the mix and value variety over per-variety seed count.
Pass if: your only goal is a large dedicated chive patch — you will get better value from a single-variety packet.
6. Sereniseed Certified Organic Herb Seeds 20-Pack | Non-GMO Heirloom Variety for Indoor Outdoor Culinary Gardening Gift Kit
Twenty organic herb packets with chives and garlic chives, certified by Oregon Tilth.
This Sereniseed pack carries the USDA Certified Organic seal through Oregon Tilth, which matters if you avoid synthetic inputs in your garden. The collection includes both common chives and garlic chives alongside 18 other culinary herbs like thyme, basil, rosemary, and lavender. The seeds are open-pollinated heirloom stock stored in temperature- and humidity-controlled facilities to boost freshness. Buyers using hydroponic systems report 100 percent germination with basil, cilantro, and thyme thriving in a compact indoor setup.
The variety is the standout feature — 84 owners mention it positively, and the ease of growth follows as a close second. Germination is the most-discussed topic overall, and it is genuinely mixed: many see fast sprouting while a minority report no growth at all from certain packets. The pack includes a germination guarantee, so the seller promises to make it right if you have trouble. The packets work well for windowsill planters, raised beds, or hydroponic towers.
A kitchen herb toolkit: two chive varieties (common and garlic) in one purchase, plus enough other herbs to stock a full culinary garden.
Grab this if: certified organic seeds are a priority and you want both common and garlic chives in one box.
Consider something else if: you need bulk chive seeds or want a guarantee that every single packet germinates without fail.
7. HOME GROWN Herb Seeds Non GMO, Heirloom 2,500+ Seeds for Planting Indoor Outdoor Herb Garden
USDA Organic certified 15-herb kit with over 2,500 seeds, including chives and an online grow guide.
HOME GROWN packages 15 culinary and medicinal herbs — basil, chamomile, chives, cilantro, dill, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, parsley, peppermint, purple basil, rosemary, sage, spearmint, and thyme — into one organic kit certified by ECOCERT. Each seed packet holds a generous count, totaling over 2,500 seeds. The seeds are free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, grown using sustainable US practices. An online digital grow guide comes with the kit to help beginners with timing and spacing.
Reviewers point out that roughly half of the varieties sprout within a week (sage, thyme, and oregano are quick starters), with the rest following later. One owner noted that chives were swapped for rosemary in their kit, so packet contents can vary slightly. The kit is designed for indoor and outdoor growing, including hydroponic setups. The value is strong for someone building a diverse organic herb garden from scratch, though the mixed germination rates mean you may need patience on certain varieties.
All-in-one organic start: the ECOCERT certification and online guide remove guesswork for new organic gardeners.
Choose this if: you want an organic-certified herb garden with chives included and value the educational support.
Look elsewhere if: you need reliable germination on every single packet or prefer buying chives as a standalone variety.
8. Outsidepride 1 lb Perennial Garlic Chives Herb Garden Seeds for Microgreens, Sprouts, & Cooking
A full pound of garlic chives for the most ambitious microgreen and garden projects.
Outsidepride offers the biggest bulk option on this list — one full pound of garlic chive seeds (Allium tuberosum). This is the go-to choice for microgreen farmers, large-scale gardeners, or anyone who wants to grow enough garlic chives to dry, share, and plant in volume. The perennial plants reach 12 inches tall and thrive in USDA zones 4 through 9. The sowing rate matches the quarter-pound common chives pack: 1 to 2 seeds per inch, covering with 1/8 inch of soil, with germination in roughly 21 days at 70°F.
Buyers in warmer areas like south Florida report strong sprouting within nine days. The main trade-off is the same as any bulk seed purchase: if you only need a few pots, most of the pound will sit in storage. The seed is heirloom and untreated, and the bulbs themselves can be harvested like small green onions once the flowers bud. For microgreens, the garlicky flat leaves offer a unique flavor that stands out from standard microgreen mixes.
The economy of scale: at a full pound, the per-seed cost is the lowest on this list, making it ideal for commercial or serious hobby use.
Reach for this if: you run a microgreen business, maintain a very large garden, or want a multi-year supply of garlic chive seeds.
pass on it if: you are a casual gardener — a standard packet will serve you better without the storage burden.
Understanding the Specs
Chive variety — common vs. garlic
Common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) produce hollow, dark-green tubular leaves with a mild onion flavor and round pink-purple flowers. Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) have flat, wider leaves with a subtle garlic taste and white star-shaped blooms. Both are perennials, but garlic chives bloom later in summer and self-sow more aggressively. Your choice depends on which flavor profile you use most in the kitchen — both are easy to grow under the same conditions.
Packet size and seed count
Standard retail chive packets hold roughly 200 to 500 seeds, enough for a few garden rows or several pots. Bulk bags measured in ounces or pounds contain thousands of seeds and dramatically lower the per-seed cost. A quarter-pound bag can cover a large raised bed, while a full pound works for microgreen trays. The right size depends on your space — buying more seed than you can plant in a season wastes both money and viability.
FAQ
How long does it take for chive seeds to germinate?
Should I start chive seeds indoors or outdoors?
How many chive seeds should I plant per pot?
Can I grow chive seeds as microgreens?
Do chive seeds need light to germinate?
What is the difference between common chives and garlic chives?
How long do chive seeds stay viable in storage?
Are chive seeds easy to grow for beginners?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the seeds for chives winner is the Open Seed Vault 44-Pack because it gives you chives alongside a full vegetable and herb garden from one massive vault. If you want pure common chives in a generous multi-pack format, grab the Seed Needs Common Chives. And for garlic chive lovers who want a perennial pollinator-friendly herb, the Survival Garden Garlic Chives is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, Gardening Beyond earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.