Thinking about adding some zesty lovage to your flower beds or balcony garden? You can get started in early spring or mid-summer! This aromatic herb—often called the “Maggi plant” because its scent reminds people of the famous savory seasoning—is incredibly low-maintenance and easy to care for. With these tips, you’ll be a pro at growing this hardy outdoor plant in no time.
The Best Time to Plant: Spring and Late Summer
The sweet spot for planting lovage is during the spring or the height of summer. If you’re planning on sowing seeds, April and May are ideal, as well as the window between August and September. You can simply sow the seeds directly into your garden bed or a large pot.
If you prefer a head start, you can start young plants indoors year-round and transplant them outside once they’re sturdy enough.
Finding the Perfect Sunny Spot
When it comes to lovage, location is everything. Whether it’s in the ground or in a container, this plant thrives in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade location.
Here are a few other factors to keep in mind for a successful harvest:
- Lovage develops a very large, deep root system, so it needs deep soil that is slightly acidic to neutral to really flourish.
- The soil should be rich in humus and nutrients. Lovage is what we call a “heavy feeder,” meaning it sucks up a lot of nitrates and micronutrients from the soil as it grows. It actually does great if planted where peas or potatoes grew previously!
- Keep the soil consistently moist. If the plant dries out, those leaves will lose that signature spicy aroma.
- Lovage is a bit of a “loner.” It tends to stunt the growth of neighboring plants, so it’s best to give it its own space. In a herb garden, try to keep it at least 3 feet (100 cm) away from its neighbors.
Harvest Time Starts in Late May
If you plant in the spring, you can usually start harvesting by May. If you harvest regularly and pinch off any flower buds before they bloom, you can keep picking fresh leaves every four weeks until autumn.
Because this herb packs such a powerful flavor punch, one plant is usually more than enough for most households. But if you find yourself wanting more, lovage is super easy to propagate yourself simply by dividing the root ball.
