To be able to enjoy your lovage for as long as possible, it has to be properly cared for. This includes the right pruning and overwintering measures.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is characterized above all by its intense aroma, which reminds many of the well-known Maggi spice from the bottle. In order for the perennial Maggi herb to grow well with you, you have to consider a few things. We give you tips on caring for and overwintering lovage.
Caring for lovage: watering properly
Due to its rapid growth, the lovage is very thirsty, especially on sunny days. Regular watering can even be necessary in the bed, especially in rather permeable, sandy soils. The perennial should generally be kept evenly moist. Neither excessive watering nor total dehydration suit the Maggi herb. The he althy mediocrity is the way to success. If you water lovage in a pot, you should make sure that there is no moisture in the container. In our article on planting lovage, we tell you how to avoid waterlogging right from the start.
Fertilize lovage
Lovage is considered a heavily consuming plant. It therefore requires fertile soil with a relatively high nutrient content. Lovage should be fertilized annually so that it grows vigorously and he althily. This works very well with the incorporation of organic fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer. This is a long-term fertilizer and therefore not only provides your maggi herb with nutrients for a short time. The high nitrogen content is ideal for the heavy-duty lovage plant and can also be used for a variety of other plants in your garden.
Lovage in pots is best fertilized with a liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer. This is easily applied by watering and ensures an optimal supply of nutrients to the Maggi herb.
Tip: Repot lovage about every 2 to 3 years so that the substrate does not become too dense andthere is no phosphorus deficiency - this is exactly what planting soils often become depleted of over time.
Cutting Lovage
Since lovage is very vigorous, it may be necessary to cut it back a little from time to time. Regularly removing the inflorescences ensures longer vegetative growth - so you can harvest the lovage longer without it tasting bitter. The tearing out of mature inflorescences ensures that your lovage is more long-lived.
In addition to harvesting, pruning of the above-ground parts of the plant that died in autumn is recommended. Cutting the lovage now will benefit the new shoots in spring, as there are no old stems to hinder growth. Of course, diseased and dried-up parts of the plant or even the flowers can be removed at any time if seed formation is to be prevented.
Lovage turning yellow or not growing: what to do?
If some old leaves of your lovage have brown spots or turn yellow, this may be because they are older. You can remove them with peace of mind. However, if the upper, younger leaves turn yellow or show spots, this can have several causes:
- Fungal pathogens: Rust (Puccinia bornmuelleri) or Septoria leaf spot (Septoria apiicola ) are more common in lovage. The rust occurs on leaves and petioles, where it forms spore deposits. You can recognize it by the rust-red to yellow spots, which can often be seen on the underside of the leaf. No pesticides are permitted for home and allotment gardens - regular, vigorous pruning ensures that the young leaves can be harvested again for a while as long as they are not infested.
Septoria leaf spots are up to 1 cm in size and can be yellowish, gray or brown. The spots are surrounded by a clear reddish-brown edge and small black dots can be seen in the inner area. Since it is a fungal disease that is propagated by seeds, you should look out for tested seeds.
- Infestation with pests: Yellow spots on lovage can also be a result of pest infestation, such as aphids or bedbugs. So, if there are spots, check to see if you can find any pests on your plants - don't forget to look at the underside of the leaf as well. If you have found anyit is important to determine these and initiate suitable measures such as the use of beneficial insects.
- Nutrient deficiency: Lovage needs a nutritious substrate to grow he althily - if there is a lack of nitrogen, its leaves turn yellow.
- Drought: In the event of a drought, the leaves first wilt and finally dry out irreversibly - even then the leaves of the lovage discolour.
Wintering: Is lovage hardy?
If you want to hibernate lovage, you don't usually have to worry. The spicy herb is a perennial whose above-ground plant parts die back every winter. However, nutrients are stored in the rhizome - the underground shoot axis - which provide the necessary energy for new growth next spring. Thus, the maggi herb is hardy. Should there be prolonged, double-digit minus temperatures in a severe winter, the rhizome can be protected by covering it with mulch, brushwood, fleece or similar.
You can find all the information about growing lovage in our special article.