Lovage has always been a popular plant in herb and monastery gardens. But not only in the bed - no, the Maggi herb can also be planted in the pot.
Everyone can grow lovage (Levisticum officinale). However, it is important to pay attention to a few points such as the right location, the right substrate and appropriate care. Below you will find all the essential tips for growing Maggiweed.
When can you plant lovage?
You can start growing young plants as early as February and plant young plants you have bought or grown yourself from April. If you prefer direct sowing, you can do this from April or May, depending on the region, or alternatively in August.
If you prefer to propagate lovage by division, we recommend doing this in late autumn. Alternatively, early spring before the first budding is suitable.
The right place for lovage in pots and borders
The optimal lovage location is sunny to semi-shady. Excessive heat should be avoided both in the garden and on the terrace or balcony, because lovage grows better in cooler locations. When choosing a location for the maggi herb, it should also be noted that it takes several years for it to mature. A distance of 0.5 to 1 m to other plants should therefore be maintained, especially in beds. Maggi herb can also significantly inhibit the growth of other plants - another reason for its unique position.
In the bed, make sure to loosen soil compaction around the planting site in advance. Since lovage is a medium to heavy feeder, the substrate should be supplied with sufficient nutrients. Lovage prefers a substrate with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. In addition, lovage is reluctant to get wet feet for long periods of time - in other words, you should avoid waterlogging. Drainage of the water is not always guaranteed, especially in the pot. It is therefore advisable to use coarser drainagecomponents such as expanded clay or gravel in the substrate.
When cultivating in pots, choose a sufficiently large planter. The following applies here: It is better to take a slightly larger container, because lovage grows quickly and this saves you having to repot all too often. A well-drained, but still water-storing substrate should also be used in the pot in order to protect the roots of the lovage and to cover the water requirements of the plant. Choose a suitable soil such as our peat-free, nutrient-rich Plantura organic universal soil and mix it with crushed expanded clay or grit, for example, to avoid an environment that is too wet.
At a glance: The perfect lovage location
- Sunny to semi-shady location
- 0.5 - 1 m distance to other plants
- Nutrient-rich substrate pH 6.0 - 7.0
- Permeable soil
Plant lovage
Planting lovage is possible and sensible both in beds and in pots.
Sowing and growing lovage
Lovage is best sown directly into the bed from April or May - alternatively in August. From the end of March you can also grow young plants in the greenhouse or propagation box on the windowsill and then plant them outdoors or in a pot later.
Tips for a successful lovage preculture:
- Sow in nutrient-poor seed soil.
- Cover the lovage seeds with a little soil or press them down lightly.
- Always keep the substrate moist.
- Optimum germination conditions at 15 - 20 °C.
- The first seedlings can be seen after 15 - 22 days, germination can take longer.
- After the emergence separate into earth press pots or similar
- Plant outdoors or in a pot.
Plant Maggiweed
Even a few sown plants are sufficient, as a single perennial grows very large over the years and is sufficient for the needs of a family. Due to their size, always place the plants at a certain distance from neighboring plants so that their growth is not inhibited.
Before planting the young plants, the soil should be loosened up well and treated with primarily organic fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer or compostwill. In this way, the nutrient requirements of the Maggi herb are well covered.
In the pot or balcony box, it is best to use a nutrient-rich soil for planting, such as our Plantura organic universal soil and mix it with 30% expanded clay. The lovage is then watered well to guarantee rapid growth. Find out how to harvest, preserve and use the Maggi herb in our special article.
Tip: If lovage is cultivated in a pot, it still needs winter protection as a young plant in severe winters. It is sufficient to place the pot on an insulating wooden or styrofoam board in a wind-protected place.
Transplanting lovage
If you want to transplant the lovage, this measure should be carried out in autumn or spring. You can use this opportunity right away and multiply it by sharing. This not only has the advantage that you then have at least two specimens, but also that the growth of the plant is stimulated by rejuvenation.
Since lovage is a medium to heavy-duty plant, it makes sense to fertilize it when transplanting. Outdoors, a long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is recommended. This ensures an optimal supply of nutrients for about three months and is also completely animal-free and mostly organic.
Tip: Since the sap combined with sunlight can cause phototoxic skin reactions, it is recommended to always wear gloves when working with lovage.
Good neighbors for lovage
In general, lovage is a very competitive herb that stunts the growth of other plants by demanding a lot of nutrients. So lovage doesn't have good neighbors. Therefore, always leave enough distance to other plants in the bed or plant the Maggi herb in a pot. Putting lovage in the herb bed is often not a good idea as it quickly grows large and easily overpowers smaller, slow-growing herbs. Always keep a sufficient distance from other plants. Berry bushes are also not suitable as lovage plant neighbors, as they can absorb the strong aroma of the herb.
You can find information on caring for and overwintering lovage in our special article.