Allium tuberosum

Allium tuberosum, also known as garlic chives, is a wonderful wild plant that somewhat resembles chives.

It is native to East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan, and has been widely cultivated worldwide for culinary, ornamental, and medicinal uses.

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In late summer to early autumn, it produces umbrella-like clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers atop erect stems that can reach 30–60 cm in height.

The flowers are white and star-shaped, as well as fragrant. They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

The leaves emit a mild garlic scent when crushed.

Allium tuberosum forms fleshy, fibrous roots rather than large bulbs, distinguishing it from common garlic (Allium sativum) or Allium montanum. It spreads both by seed and by clump division, forming dense, self-renewing patches in the garden.

It is both hardy and drought-tolerant in summer.

It is ideal for a wild gardens or xeriscaping, as a low border for instance, but it is also magnificent (and delicious) in a container in the city.

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👨‍🌾GARDENING TIPS👨‍🌾

• • Garlic chives thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained, fertile soil, though they tolerate a variety of conditions.
  • The plant is frost-tolerant and hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
  • Water moderately; keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.
  • Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
  • The plant’s upright, clumping habit makes it suitable for borders, containers, and herb gardens, while its flowers provide a decorative element for late-summer beds.

👨‍🌾COOKING TIPS👨‍🌾

• • The leaves, stems, and flower buds are alledible and widely used in East Asian cuisine.
  • It will add a mild garlic flavor to soups, dumplings, stir-fries, salads, and omelets.
  • Add the flowers as an edible garnish!
  • Regular harvesting of leaves encourages new growth and prolongs productivity.

Learn more about cooking with garlic chives:

• • ENG: What are Garlic Chives?
  • ENG: How to Use Garlic Chives?
  • FR: Houmous à la Ciboulail

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The Tales & The Botany: Allium tuberosum

It has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for digestive support and as a mild antimicrobial.

It is rich in vitamins A and C, and contains compounds believed to support cardiovascular health.

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🌱 Reproductive Biology: Allium tuberosum

The plant reproduces via seeds and vegetative division.

Seeds germinate in spring, while division ensures rapid establishment and preserves the desired traits of cultivars.

Flowering typically occurs in the second or third year of growth, providing both aesthetic appeal and a food source for pollinators.

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Other Names

Garlic chives

Chinese chives

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Origin

East Asia