Common Name: Garlic Chives

General Information

Allium tuberosum is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing 2 - 5 leaves 20 - 50cm long and a flowering scape 25 - 60cm tall from an underground bulb formed on a short rhizome. The plant produces a cluster of bulbs along the rhizome, forming in time a moderate sized clump[]. The plant is evergreen in warmer climates[, ].
A popular vegetable in eastern Asia, where the plant is often cultivated for its edible leaves, bulb and flowering stems. There are many named varieties[, ]. There are two main types of cultivar, one is grown for its leaves and the other for its flowering stem[, ].This species is being increasingly grown as a garden vegetable in Britain, and is a very ornamental plant that grows well as an edging plant in the flower garden[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation in N. America and is reported to be established in New England[].

Known Hazards

Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in very large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - ?China, ?Himalayas. The original habitat is obscure.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Garlic chives succeeds in temperate and tropical climates[]. High temperatures encourage bulb formation, but flower formation and seed production are only possible where the bulbs are subjected to low temperatures. In the tropics, flower and seed formation can therefore only occur at higher elevations, but generally the plants seldom produce seeds in the tropics. Outside the tropics dormancy is induced by short days and flowering by long days. Long days also favour bulb development. A cool period promotes early leaf production[]. Plants tolerate 40 degrees of frost in Manchuria (the report does not say if this is fahrenheit or centigrade)[]. Plants remain green until temperatures fall below 4 - 5°c, they come into new growth in spring when temperatures go above 2 - 3°c[].
An easily grown plant[], it prefers a sunny position, but tolerates some shade[, , ]. It tolerates most soils[, ], including clay[, ], growing best in a rich, moist but well-drained soil[, ]. Tolerant of dry soils, established plants also resist some drought[]. Moist soil is required throughout the growing period, but excessive soil water and high humidity encourage diseases. The roots penetrate up to 50cm into the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.8, tolerating 5.3 to 8.3[].
Leaves may be harvested 70 - 120 days after planting and the same plant may produce for up to 20 - 30 years[].
Often cultivated for its edible leaves and bulb in the Orient, there are many named varieties[, ]. There are two main types of cultivar, one is grown for its leaves and the other for its flowering stem[, ].
This species is being increasingly grown as a garden vegetable in Britain[].
The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. A mild flavour, somewhat like a cross between garlic and chives[], they are delicious in salads[]. The flavour is destroyed by lengthy cooking[]. The leaves are available from early spring until late in the autumn[]. They contain about 2.6% protein, 0.6% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 0.95% ash. They also contain small amounts of vitamins A, B1 and C[]. The rather small bulbs are about 10mm in diameter and are produced in clusters on a short rhizome[].

Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked[, , ]. A delicious flavouring and pretty garnish for the autumn salad bowl[].

Bulb - raw or cooked. The rather small bulbs are about 10mm in diameter and are produced in clusters on a short rhizome[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[].

Medicinal

The whole plant is antibacterial, cardiac, depurative, digestive, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[, , ]. It is an anti-emetic herb that improves kidney function[]. It is used internally to treat urinary incontinence, kidney and bladder weaknesses etc[].

The seed is carminative and stomachic[]. They are used in India in the treatment of spermatorrhoea[].

The leaves and the bulbs are applied to bites, cuts and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Allium species usually grow well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but they inhibit the growth of legumes[, , ]. They are, in general, bad companions for alfalfa - each species negatively affecting the other[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Other Uses

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the juice of most species in this genus (especially those with a strong onion or garlic smell) can be used as a moth repellent[].
The whole plant is said to repel insects and moles[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed has a fairly short viability and should not be used when more than 1 year old[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle - if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Plant out in late summer if the plants have developed sufficiently, otherwise plant them out the following spring.
Division in early spring. Very easy, the plants divide successfully at almost any time of the year. The divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required.