Lovage Planting Guide

Lovage is a large perennial herb with a celery-like flavor that can grow 4-6 feet tall. All parts are edible including the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots.

Levisticum officinale · Herb · Apiaceae family · 70–90 days to maturity

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Where Can You Grow Lovage?

Zone Compatibility for Lovage Zones 3a – 8b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	—	May 22	Jul 31 – Sep 25
Zone 3b	—	—	May 17	Jul 26 – Sep 20
Zone 4a	—	—	May 13	Jul 22 – Sep 23
Zone 4b	—	—	May 8	Jul 17 – Sep 18
Zone 5a	—	—	May 2	Jul 11 – Sep 12
Zone 5b	—	—	Apr 25	Jul 4 – Sep 5
Zone 6a	—	—	Apr 17	Jun 26 – Aug 28
Zone 6b	—	—	Apr 10	Jun 19 – Aug 21
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	Jun 10 – Aug 12
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	Jun 3 – Aug 5
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 26
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	May 13 – Jul 15

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Lovage is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Lovage benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Lovage

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 8b

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Apiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apiaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Lovage

Lovage matures in just 70–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Lovage

✅ Good Companions

Green Beans Potatoes Lettuce

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Lovage

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. One plant is usually enough for a family. Harvest outer stems and leaves as needed. Divide clumps every 3-4 years.

Saving Lovage Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Lovage by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Lovage?

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) takes 70 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Lovage grow in?

Lovage can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 8b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Lovage need?

Growing Lovage requires Partial Shade (3-6 hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.

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