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Growing Chives
in Plastic Boxes

A plastic boxes growing guide for chives — container size, soil mix, watering, and the mistakes that quietly kill your yields.

🌱Easy difficulty
🪣1 gal min
📅30-60 days
☀Full Sun
⏱Low maintenance
Published

Quick answer: Chives grows well in plastic boxes. Use a 1-gallon, 6"-deep bag with well-drained loam; moderately fertile; tolerates poor soils, pH 6-7. Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering. Feed weekly with 10-10-10. Expect harvest in 30-60 days, yielding 1.

Why do plastic boxes work for chives?

Repurposed storage totes or boxes converted into deep planters offer large soil volume at low cost, but solid walls trap heat and require post-purchase drainage modification.

For chives specifically (Allium schoenoprasum, Amaryllidaceae family, Perennial edible), this matters because chives are heavy-rooted, high-water plants that need fast drainage. The controlled root environment lets you dial water and nutrients in tighter than open-ground growing allows.

"Get the plastic boxes substrate and water rhythm right and the rest is variety choice. Get either wrong and no cultivar saves you."

Container size & setup

Soil recipe

From the plastic boxes specialist playbook: 50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy.

Chives-specific tweak: chives prefer pH 6–7, soil type well-drained loam; moderately fertile; tolerates poor soils. Most quality potting mixes land in that range out of the bag — test before adjusting.

From empty pot to planted: the steps

  1. Choose your plastic boxes. 1-gallon minimum, 6" deep. Black is fine indoors; choose tan or grey for outdoor desert/hot-summer settings.
  2. Mix the soil. 50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy. Mix in a wheelbarrow or tarp before filling.
  3. Fill and transplant. Fill to 2 inches below the rim. Transplant.
  4. Water in. Soak until water drains through the fabric walls (yes, the sides will weep — that's normal).
  5. Position in sun. 6–8 hours direct Full Sun. Elevate dark-colored pots off hot concrete on a plant caddy.
  6. Mark feeding schedule. Begin weekly feeding 2 weeks after transplant with 10-10-10 fertilizer.

Top chives varieties to grow in plastic boxes

Plastic Boxes work for any chives type, but the fast root-zone drying favors plants that handle steady deep watering. Top picks from breeders' lists (varieties verified via All-America Selections and university extension trials):

Care: water

Method baseline: Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering.

Chives-specific: the baseline holds for chives (water_category: Low, baseline 3 days), with adjustments:

Feeding chives in plastic boxes

Method baseline: Slow-release granules at planting plus monthly liquid feed, or biweekly compost tea throughout the growing season.

Chives-specific: chives are a light feeder. Use 10-10-10 (balanced macronutrients) once flowers appear. High-nitrogen fertilizer in plastic boxes gives you a beautiful leafy plant with zero fruit. Start feeding 2 weeks after transplant, then weekly through the harvest window.

How much sun does chives need in plastic boxes?

Method baseline: 6+ hours direct sun; lighter-colored boxes stay cooler than dark ones in summer heat.

Chives-specific: chives want 6–8 hours of Full Sun. South or west exposure is ideal. If you're growing on a balcony with only morning sun, choose compact varieties (more forgiving with less light) and skip the long-season heirlooms.

Pollination notes for chives growers

Chivess are cross-pollinated — you'll get better fruit set with a partner plant or active pollinator visits. First flowers typically appear 365 days after transplant. In plastic boxes, the air-pruned root system actually produces flowers a few days earlier than in rigid containers — a nice side bonus.

Pollination tip for indoor plastic boxes: hand-pollinate by tapping the cage gently once flowers open, or use an electric toothbrush against the stem for 1 second per cluster. Vibration shakes pollen loose like a bee would.

The slip-ups we see most often

Plastic Boxes mistakes (top 3)

  1. Forgetting to drill enough drainage holes.
  2. Using boxes that held chemicals or food residue.
  3. Placing dark boxes in full afternoon sun, cooking the roots.

Chives mistakes

  1. Letting clumps get too dense without dividing (reduces vigor).
  2. Harvesting only outer leaves instead of cutting whole stems.
  3. Allowing flowering when leaves are the goal (tougher; oniony flavor).
  4. Overwatering in containers causing bulb rot.

What pests and diseases hit chives in plastic boxes?

Common pests: onion thrips; onion maggots; aphids.

Common diseases: downy mildew; rust; white rot; pink root; botrytis.

Plastic Boxes keeps soil-borne disease pressure low when the substrate is fresh and clean. Spider mites still come for dry-summer plants; mist the underside of leaves weekly if you see stippling.

Keeping chives tidy in plastic boxes

Method routine: Inspect for UV stress cracks each spring, drill additional drainage holes if water pools after rain, and consider painting dark boxes a light color to reduce heat absorption.

Chives-specific: Shear back to 2 inches after flowering to encourage fresh tender growth; divide clumps every 3-4 years Growth rate: Medium.

Harvest day for chives

Expect 1 in plastic boxes (roughly 70-80% of ground-grown yield). Harvest window: 180 days from first ripe fruit. Standard harvest months: Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; year-round indoors with grow lights.

What you harvest: leaves; flowers; bulbs. Culinary uses: Fresh garnish; baked potatoes; omelets; compound butter; cream cheese; soups; salads; herb vinegar; flowers in salads

Keeping pets and wildlife safe around chives

Wildlife value: bees and butterflies attracted to flowers; deer and rabbit resistant. Originally from Circumboreal; Europe; Asia; North America (including Alaska; Canada; northern US).

Deer resistant: Yes · Rabbit resistant: Yes. Elevated containers on a balcony or fenced patio solve deer/rabbit pressure naturally.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats: Yes · Toxic to dogs: Yes. Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA; contains N-propyl disulfide causing oxidative damage to red blood cells; symptoms include vomiting; diarrhea; weakness; pale gums; elevated heart rate; safe for human consumption; per ASPCA

Pro tip from the plastic boxes playbook

Drill drainage holes through the sides 1 inch above the base instead of the bottom - keeps a small water reservoir for dry spells while preventing fully soggy roots.

Grower's tip for Chives

Snip leaves with scissors 2 inches above soil; never strip a clump bare; remove flower buds early to keep leaves tender unless edible blooms desired; cold winter dormancy is normal; can be potted up and brought indoors for winter harvest; very forgiving of containers as small as 1 gallon

Chives grower questions about plastic boxes

Can I use plastic boxes for chives indoors?

Yes, with a saucer. Plastic Boxes weep water through the sides for the first few days after watering — protect indoor floors with a tray or saucer that catches sideways drips, not just bottom drainage. Light requirement: 6–8 hours of Full Sun, so plan supplemental grow lights for low-light rooms.

What size plastic boxes do I need for chives?

1 gallons absolute minimum, 6" deep. The practical sweet spot is 3 gallons for steady production. Larger is better for indeterminate or high-yield growing.

How often should I water chives in plastic boxes?

Every 2-4 days in summer, weekly in cool weather; the large soil mass holds moisture well, so check 3 inches deep before watering.

Will chives grow as well in plastic boxes as in the ground?

Yield is roughly 70-80% of ground-grown for the same variety, but plant health is often better — fewer soil-borne disease problems and no competition from other roots. For most home growers, plastic boxes are a net win.

How long do plastic boxes last?

2-4 years outdoors before UV degrades the fabric. Up to 6 years if stored indoors during winter and dried completely before folding.

What soil mix works best for chives in plastic boxes?

50% potting mix, 30% compost, 20% perlite - the large volume warrants extra drainage to prevent the closed base from staying soggy. The extra perlite compensates for fabric's fast moisture loss while keeping the root zone aerated.

Do plastic boxes get too hot in summer?

Dark-colored plastic boxes can heat the soil 10-15°F above ambient in direct afternoon sun. Use tan or light grey fabric for hot climates, mulch the soil surface 3-4 inches deep with straw, and elevate pots off concrete or pavers on a plant caddy or wood block.

Can plastic boxes be reused across seasons?

Yes — rinse inside and out at season's end, dry completely before folding, store flat indoors. Expect 2-4 years of outdoor use before UV degrades the fabric. Replacements run $5-12 per pot in 3-packs.

What to buy for chives in plastic boxes

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Sources & references

Climate, geographic, and toxicity data on this page come from public datasets. Cultivar profiles and growing recommendations draw on land-grant university extension research.