When to Plant Chives in Hilo, Hawaii (96721)

Location

Hilo, Hawaii

ZIP Code

96721

USDA Zone

12b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 1, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Based on last frost Thursday, January 1, 2026 · Zone 12b

Pro tip: Start Chives seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Allium schoenoprasum

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-18"

Spread 12"

Type Clumping

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Chives in Hilo?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, November 6, 2025.

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🤝 Good Companions

CarrotTomatoRoseApple

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

BeanPea

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Chives

See which plants help Chives thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let flower heads dry completely on the stalk — seed pods will turn black.

Processing

Shake dried seed heads into an envelope; seeds fall out easily.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Chives self-sow aggressively — deadhead most flowers to prevent unwanted spreading in the garden.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Chives. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chives in Hilo, Hawaii? +

In Hilo (Zone 12b), start Chives seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

What is the last frost date for Hilo, Hawaii? +

The average last spring frost date for Hilo, Hawaii (ZIP 96721) is around Thursday, January 1, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 12b.

How long does Chives take to grow? +

Chives typically matures in about 60 days from transplanting. In Hilo, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, December 18, 2025 plus 60 days.

Should I start Chives indoors or direct sow in Hawaii? +

Chives should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Hilo, that means starting around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

📚 More Chives Planting Guides

🗺️

Chives in Hawaii

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 12b Chives Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Hilo

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Chives in Zone 12b

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Hilo, Hawaii, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 12b, you should start seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 1, 2026. Plan to transplant your Chives seedlings outdoors around Thursday, December 18, 2025, about -2 weeks after your last frost date.