Staro

Family: Amaryllidaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Feather-fine, rosy-tinted green chive blades of ‘Staro’ rise with a fresh, onion-chive fragrance that feels bright and lively the moment you brush past the clumps.

At maturity (about 60 days), the foliage stays tender and crisp, with a delicate bite that holds its character in the garden and on the plate. Grow ‘Staro’ for its dependable, flavorful sprigs—ideal for sprinkling over finished dishes, stirring into creamy sauces, and adding a gentle, aromatic lift to savory favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Staro Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 6th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Mar 30th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Staro chives deliver feather-fine blades with a crisp allium bite—great for adding aroma right at the end instead of cooking them into submission. Use them to perfume butter, dairy, and eggs without getting muddy; they stay lively and clean on the palate.

Best Uses

finishing sprinkles on hot or cold dishes to keep the blades crisp
stirring into crème fraîche, sour cream, or soft cheeses for an immediate green lift
folding into warm butter for steak and potatoes where you want perfume without harshness
whisking into quick vinaigrettes to perfume without turning oily

Flavor Profile

fresh onion-chive fragrance tender, crisp bite bright, lightly sharp allium snap

Kitchen Pairings

salmon eggs butter crème fraîche goat cheese lemon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Allium schoenoprasum (common chives), and how can I manage it?

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are prone to onion thrips, which cause silvery streaks and distorted, stunted shoots. Rinse plants with a strong jet of water and remove heavily damaged leaves, then apply insecticidal soap to the undersides every 5–7 days until new growth looks normal. If you see leaf yellowing and soft rot at the base, improve drainage and avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal buildup.

How often should I water common chives during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 in (2–5 cm) of soil evenly moist, not waterlogged; a good target is watering when the surface starts to dry but before the clump wilts. In full sun, this often means about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain and irrigation, split into 2–3 deeper sessions for sandy soils. Consistent moisture supports tender leaves, while soggy soil increases rot risk.

How can I tell when Allium schoenoprasum is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants form dense clumps and the hollow, tubular leaves are at least 6–8 in (15–20 cm) tall, which is typically around 60 days from sowing under good conditions. Snip leaves 1–2 in above the soil or cut individual outer leaves first, and regrow by leaving the inner shoots intact. For best flavor and tenderness, harvest before flowering; once flower buds appear, leaves become tougher.