Chinese Leek

3 Gallon

$29.00

1/2

Chinese Leek

Allium tuberosum

Dual-Purpose: Gourmet Herb & Ornamental Flower • Easy-Care Perennial • Deer & Pest Resistant

$29.00

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

coco-plant

Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Chinese Leek, commonly known as Garlic Chives, is the ultimate dual-purpose perennial, seamlessly bridging the gap between the edible garden and the ornamental border. This versatile plant forms tidy, grass-like clumps of flat, green leaves that offer a mild, delicious garlic-onion flavor for the kitchen. In late summer, it surprises with a beautiful display of fragrant, starry white flowers on tall stalks, attracting pollinators and adding elegance. Easy to grow, pest-resistant, and returning reliably each year, it's a foundational plant for both cooks and gardeners.

Prized for its flat, strap-shaped leaves with a distinct, mild garlic flavor, essential for Asian stir-fries, dumplings, and omelets.
Produces showy, fragrant white flower umbels in late summer on tall stalks, excellent for cutting and pollinator gardens.
A fast-growing, clump-forming perennial that is exceptionally easy to cultivate and requires minimal care.
Deer, rabbit, and rodent resistant due to its allium family characteristics.
Thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils.
Can be harvested repeatedly from spring to fall; flowers can be eaten or left for ornament.

Culinary & Garden Profile:

Flavor: Mild garlic with a fresh, green onion note—more subtle than bulb garlic.
Texture: Leaves are tender yet crisp when fresh, softening when cooked.
Best Uses: Leaves: A key ingredient in stir-fries, dumplings (jiaozi), pancakes, and soups. Flowers: Edible garnish or for infusing vinegar. Plant: Perfect for herb gardens, edible borders, and pollinator-friendly ornamental beds.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Flat, strap-shaped, grass-like leaves that are bright green and grow in dense clumps. The leaves have a distinct, mild garlic-onion flavor and aroma.Flowers: Produces small, star-shaped, white flowers in dense, rounded umbels on tall, slender stalks in late summer to early fall. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.Habit: A clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with an upright, grassy growth habit.
Mature Height: 12–18 inches (foliage), flower stalks up to 24 inches
Mature Width: 12–18 inches (clump)
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Dual-purpose plant: edible leaves and ornamental flowers.Leaves are a staple ingredient in many Asian cuisines (stir-fries, dumplings).Very easy to grow and low maintenance.Perennial, returning year after year.Deer and rodent resistant
Landscape Uses:Herb or vegetable garden.Edible landscape border. Ornamental flower bed (for late-season blooms).Container gardening

Q: How is it different from common chives (Allium schoenoprasum)?
A: Chinese Leek (Garlic Chives) has flat, broad leaves and a distinct garlic flavor, with white flowers. Common Chives have hollow, tubular leaves and a mild onion flavor, with purple-pink flowers. They are used differently in cooking.

Q: How do I harvest it without killing the plant?
A: Harvest by snipping leaves from the outside of the clump, leaving at least 2 inches of growth at the base. The plant will continuously produce new leaves from the center. Never cut all the leaves at once.

Q: Does it spread aggressively?
A: It forms dense, slowly expanding clumps from its roots and can also self-seed via its flowers if not deadheaded. To control spread, simply remove spent flower heads before they set seed and divide the clumps every 3-4 years. It is not invasive like mint.