Onion Chive Microgreen Seeds

Onion Chives are slow-growing specialty microgreens with fine green shoots and a fresh, mild onion flavour. They require no pre-soaking and generally need considerably more time than fast brassica microgreens.

What You Need

• Onion Chive Microgreen Seeds
• A shallow tray with drainage holes
• A solid lower tray for bottom watering
• Fine seed-raising mix, coco coir or another fine microgreen growing medium
• Clean drinking-quality water
• Fine mist sprayer
• A second tray or suitable germination cover
• Bright natural light or suitable grow lights
• Clean scissors

Seed Rate

For a standard 25 × 50cm microgreen tray, use approximately:

24–30g dry seed per tray

Spread the seed evenly across the growing surface.

Chive microgreens remain in the tray considerably longer than fast crops such as broccoli or mustard, so avoid excessive density that can restrict airflow later in the crop cycle.

For more information about adjusting sowing rates between crops, see Microgreen Seeding Density.

Pre-Soak

No pre-soaking required.

Sow Onion Chive seed dry.

The small seeds germinate successfully without soaking and are easier to distribute evenly while dry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean your equipment. Wash and thoroughly rinse trays, covers and growing tools.
2. Prepare the growing medium. Add approximately 2–3cm of fine seed-raising mix, coco coir or another suitable fine-textured medium.
3. Moisten before sowing. Water evenly and allow excess moisture to drain. The medium should be consistently damp without being saturated.
4. Measure the seed. Use approximately 24–30g for a standard 25 × 50cm tray.
5. Sow evenly. Distribute the seed across the prepared surface and break up any concentrated patches.
6. Press gently. Ensure good contact between the seed and moist growing medium.
7. Cover lightly if preferred. A very thin layer of fine growing medium or vermiculite can help maintain moisture.
8. Mist gently. Use clean drinking-quality water without flooding or moving the seed.
9. Cover during early germination. Use another tray or suitable germination cover.
10. Check the tray daily. Chives germinate slowly, so maintain steady moisture without continually saturating the growing medium.
11. Uncover as seedlings establish. Once sufficient shoots are emerging and beginning to stand upright, remove the cover and provide bright light.
12. Maintain good airflow. This becomes increasingly important during the relatively long growing cycle.
13. Bottom water once rooted. Switch primarily to watering from below once the root system has established.

Covered Germination

Keep the tray covered for approximately:

5–7 days initially

Onion Chives are slower to germinate than most common microgreens.

Do not treat 5–7 days as a rigid blackout period. Check the crop each day and use seedling development as your guide.

If substantial germination is underway and shoots are beginning to establish, uncover and move the crop into light rather than keeping emerging seedlings in darkness unnecessarily.

Heavy weighting is not required.

For more information about covered germination, see Microgreen Blackout Explained.

Germination

Expect approximately:

7–14 days

Some seeds may take longer, particularly under cooler conditions.

Uneven emergence is relatively common with chives, so do not assume the tray has failed simply because every seed does not emerge at the same time.

Temperature

Aim for approximately:

18–22°C

Moderate temperatures support steady germination and compact growth.

Avoid excessive heat combined with stagnant humidity during the longer germination period.

Light

Once seedlings are emerging and established:

• provide bright indirect natural light or suitable grow lights;
• maintain good airflow;
• rotate the tray if necessary for even growth;
• avoid excessive heat; and
• minimise unnecessary wetting of established shoots.

Adequate light encourages rich green colouring and upright growth.

Watering

During germination, use a fine mist when required to maintain surface moisture.

Do not compensate for slow germination by continually adding more water.

Once roots establish, bottom watering is preferable.

For detailed guidance, see How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.

When bottom watering:

• add a shallow amount of water to the lower tray;
• allow the growing medium to absorb moisture;
• check moisture before watering again;
• avoid permanent standing water;
• minimise repeated wetting of the fine shoots; and
• maintain good airflow.

Tips for Best Results

• Use approximately 24–30g per 25 × 50cm tray.
• Do not pre-soak.
• Sow shallowly.
• Maintain good seed-to-medium contact.
• Keep covered for approximately 5–7 days initially.
• Expect germination in approximately 7–14 days.
• Maintain approximately 18–22°C.
• Provide bright light once seedlings establish.
• Maintain steady airflow.
• Bottom water once roots establish.
• Avoid permanently saturated growing media.
• Allow sufficient time for the crop to develop.
• Harvest at approximately 18–25 days.

Be Patient

Onion Chives are not a fast microgreen.

Compared with broccoli, radish or mustard, both germination and crop development take considerably longer.

A tray may still be developing normally even when emergence appears uneven during the first week.

Seed Hulls

Small black seed coats commonly remain attached to the tops of Onion Chive microgreens.

This is normal.

Many hulls detach naturally as the shoots grow. Loose hulls can be gently brushed away before harvest if desired, but avoid damaging the delicate shoots merely to remove firmly attached seed coats.

Avoid Excessive Density

The fine shoots may appear sparse during early germination, but avoid adding excessive seed simply to compensate.

As more seedlings emerge, an overly dense tray can create:

• reduced airflow;
• persistent humidity;
• weak crowded shoots; and
• more difficult moisture management.

Root Hairs vs Mould

Fine white root hairs can sometimes be mistaken for mould.

Healthy root hairs generally:

• grow directly from individual roots;
• appear relatively evenly;
• become more visible as the root zone dries slightly; and
• become less noticeable immediately after watering.

Mould is more likely to:

• spread irregularly between seeds or seedlings;
• form web-like patches;
• persist after watering; or
• occur with slime, deterioration or unpleasant smells.

If you are uncertain, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.

Discard crops showing obvious spoilage.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest approximately:

18–25 days from sowing

Onion Chive microgreens are generally ready when:

• shoots are upright and fresh green;
• the crop has developed a noticeable chive aroma;
• stems remain tender;
• shoots are approximately 5–10cm tall; and
• the crop has reached your preferred flavour and appearance.

Do not wait for every black seed hull to detach before harvesting.

Cut cleanly just above the growing medium using clean scissors.

Where practical, harvest when the shoots are relatively dry.

For additional guidance, see How to Harvest & Store Microgreens.

Refrigerate promptly in a clean container. Avoid tightly compressing the fine shoots.

Culinary Use

Fresh Onion Chive microgreens work particularly well with:

• eggs and omelettes;
• potatoes;
• soups;
• salads;
• sandwiches;
• dips;
• sauces;
• vegetables; and
• savoury garnishes.

Add them near the end of preparation or immediately before serving to preserve their fresh onion flavour.

Growing Onion Chives to Maturity

Onion Chives can also be grown as perennial culinary herbs.

For mature plants:

1. Sow into seedling trays, pots or prepared garden soil.
2. Sow approximately 5–6mm deep.
3. Maintain consistent moisture during establishment.
4. Provide full sun to partial shade.
5. Transplant or thin established plants to approximately 15–30cm between clumps.
6. Grow in fertile, freely draining soil.

For dedicated mature-herb growing information, see Onion Chive Herb Seeds.

Clean Growing / Food Safety

Use clean trays, fresh growing medium, drinking-quality water and clean harvesting equipment.

Maintain:

• appropriate moisture;
• good drainage;
• adequate airflow;
• clean harvesting tools; and
• prompt refrigeration after harvest.

Discard microgreens showing visible mould, slime, decay, abnormal discolouration or unpleasant smells.

Seed Storage

Store unused Onion Chive seed sealed in a cool, dry and dark place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

For longer-term storage, refrigeration can help maintain seed viability. Keep refrigerated seed sealed while it returns to room temperature before opening to reduce condensation.