How to Get the Seeds From a Chive Flower

Chives provide a delicate, onion-like flavor to omelets, herbed chicken and any variety of recipes calling for onion flavor. This perennial herb grows in clumps that resemble tall spears of grass, but the foliage is tubular and hollow in the middle. Medium-sized blooms rest atop the spear in late spring, giving the illusion of purple pompoms. Although chives self-seed rapidly, you may wish to gather seeds from the chive flower to begin new chive plants in another location.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden shears
• Newspaper/paper towels
• Airtight containers

1. Allow chive blossoms to remain on the plant until they fade. The bright purple flowers gradually change to a pale lavender and eventually shrivel, revealing shiny black seeds at the base of each petal.

2. Pick or cut the flower head and remove the petals. Rub the clump of seeds between your hands to loosen the seeds.

3. Spread seeds on an old newspaper or on a layer of paper towels to dry completely. Turn to dry evenly and to check for any signs of moisture.

4. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and plant in the spring as soon as the soil is workable.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension
• University of Rhode Island
• Nestle and Sparkle

Resources

• Growing Chives