A lovage plant is quickly bought. But if you like to experiment and watch how tiny seeds grow into stately plants, we recommend sowing this powerful herb. To propagate lovage, this is the second best method.
When and how is lovage sown?
The lovage is sown outdoors between the end of March and the beginning of April or in pots from February. Cover seeds with triple seed strength in humus-rich soil, press down and water, keep warm and moist. Germination occurs after 15 to 20 days.
A recommended variety
Most of the time there is no specific variety of lovage noted on the seed packaging. But if you don't want to sow the run-of-the-mill lovage, the following variety is recommended: 'Verino'. This variety is considered to be extremely site-tolerant and resistant.
When is the right time?
Lovage is sown outdoors between the end of March and the beginning of April. At home it can be grown in pots or growing trays as early as February. Sowing in August is less common.
If you already have a lovage plant and want to propagate it, you have to wait until September. Then the seeds have developed and matured. In mild locations, lovage can still be sown in September.
A dark germ who loves the warmth
How to sow step by step:
- Choose outdoors or a suitable container
- Cover seeds with triple seed strength with soil (humus-rich is ideal)
- press and pour
- Place containers in a warm place (preferably above 20 °C)
- keep moist
- Seeds germinate after 15 to 20 days
When the cotyledons are visible
It is important to continue to water the maggi herb carefully and regularly. The soil should remain moderately moist. When the plants have reached a size of 15 cm, they can be released outdoors - provided they have been grown in containers. In this condition they are robust and can usually cope with wind and low outside temperatures.
The substrate in which they are planted in their new location, which is ideally in partial shade, should have the following characteristics:
- profound
- nutrient-rich
- pH value between 6 and 7
- permeable
- loamy
- slightly calcareous
Tips & Tricks
Dividing the plant is considered the best method of propagation for lovage. This is quicker and easier than sowing seeds. To do this, the roots are divided with a spade and the plant obtained is planted somewhere else.
