Lovage in Zone 5a & 5b
Levisticum officinale
Yes, lovage grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant lovage in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It 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.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of lovage in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- BorageMay 10–May 17
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- DillMay 3–May 10
- CatmintMay 17–May 24
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)May 17–May 24
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.
Lovage planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 20–Aug 27 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
Harvest dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for lovage.
Where to buy lovage seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's 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 · 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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