Admittedly: When buying grown plants, you never know where you stand. It is therefore advisable to take propagation into your own hands. This is fun for many gardeners and also saves money. But what is the best way to propagate lovage?
How can I successfully propagate lovage?
Propagate lovage can be done simply by sowing the ripe seeds from April to August or by dividing the plant in spring or late autumn. Make sure there is a he althy shoot tip and ideal growth conditions for new plants.
Propagate using seeds
Lovage can be propagated with its ripe seeds. Either you buy the seeds or you take an existing lovage plant and wait until it has formed its fruits and seeds after flowering in midsummer.
The seeds are usually ripe in September. This is how sowing works (possible outdoors from April to August):
- Cover seeds at three times their seed strength with humus-rich soil
- Place the cultivation container in a warm place (ideally above 20 °C)
- Keep soil moist
- Germination time: 15 to 20 days
When the grown plants have reached a size of around 15 cm, they can be planted out without any worries. The location should be sunny to partially shaded. In addition, deep and nutrient-rich soil is important.
Propagate by division
While sowing requires patience, the method of propagation by dividing the plant is quicker. This method is also easier and less time-consuming. It also has a great side effect: the maggi herb then grows stronger to make up for the lost part. But be careful: he althy plants should be used for dividing.
The ideal time is in the spring before budding or in late autumn before the first frost period begins:
- Dig up lovage (note: roots are fleshy and deeply anchored in the soil)
- pick up a clean and, if necessary, disinfected spade (€29.00 on Amazon)
- divide the plant or its roots with the spade
- plant the obtained plant
- A compost addition is recommended when planting
- water well
Tips & Tricks
Attention: Every part that is later to become a magnificent plant needs a he althy shoot tip. Otherwise it cannot grow and all the effort was in vain.