lovage

Lovage likes to be kept consistently moist. Water it deeply once a week during the growing season and every 2 weeks in winter. Adding water slowly to the soil so it penetrates to the root system is best. If the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings, you may need to water more often. Check the soil with your finger and if it feels dry 1 inch below the surface, it is time to water. Keep the lovage bed mulched to help retain moisture.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The type of light a lovage plant receives is very important because too little light can cause the plant to become weak and leggy. Lovage should be planted in areas that get direct sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours per day and partial shade for the remaining hours. When in full sun, the lovage plants should be monitored closely and given plenty of water to keep them from drying out. If lovage plants become too dry, their growth can be stunted or halted. In hot climates, partial shade during the hottest hours of the day can help to protect the plants from wilting and promote better growth.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) should be pruned annually to remove any dead or damaged foliage and branches, and promote fresh and healthy regrowth. Prune in late winter or early spring, as soon as the worst of the winter weather has passed. Cut back the tallest stems to a height of around a third of their former length. This will encourage branching lower down and will keep the plant bushy and prevent it from growing too leggy. To encourage dense foliage, remove some of the oldest stems at the base of the plant to allow space for new stems and foliage. Regular pruning also helps to contain the size of the plant and will keep it looking neat and tidy.