How to grow Lovage in Australia
A tall perennial herb for full sun to part shade in deep, fertile, moisture-holding soil. Water in dry spells to keep the leaves tender, and topdress with compost each year for strong growth.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to June | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to June | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to July | Longer cool season. Reliable perennial in Sydney. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to July | Thrives in Melbourne's cool climate. Reliable perennial. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to June | |
| Perth & WA | March to June | |
| Tasmania | March and April, September and October | Sow Sep to Oct or Mar to Apr. Cold-climate perennial that thrives in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | March to July | Thrives in cool Canberra climate. Reliable perennial. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Cool-climate herb. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Cool-climate herb. |
Varieties
- Common Lovage
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Snip young leaves and stems once the plant is leafy and growing well. Cut outer stalks at the base and the centre keeps pushing fresh growth.
Storage
Fridge in a damp cloth for 1 week. Dry leaves store for months.