Lovage in Zone 5a & 5b
Levisticum officinale
When to plant lovage in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Lovage needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 15–Aug 22 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-6.5 ft.
Lovage tastes like celery turned up several notches, and it grows like it means it: a single plant can reach 6 feet tall and just as wide once established, which is a strange thing to learn about an herb most people have never grown. One plant is enough for a household that uses it in stocks, soups, and salads.
How lovage fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Lovage needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Lovage.
Where to buy lovage seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lovage" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lovage in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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