When to Plant Lovage in Hilo, Hawaii (96721)

Location

Hilo, Hawaii

ZIP Code

96721

USDA Zone

12b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 1, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Based on last frost Thursday, January 1, 2026 · Zone 12b

Pro tip: Start Lovage seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Levisticum officinale

Days to Maturity 365 days

Mature Height 36-84"

Spread 36"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 10-21 days

Ready to Plant Lovage in Hilo?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, November 6, 2025.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

CarrotCeleryPotato

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Lovage

See which plants help Lovage thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let seed umbels dry on the plant. Harvest when seeds are brown and aromatic.

Processing

Cut seed heads into a bag, dry 1 week, thresh to separate seeds from stalks.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Lovage crosses with other Apiaceae family members like celery and parsley — isolate if growing multiple.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Lovage. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lovage in Hilo, Hawaii? +

In Hilo (Zone 12b), start Lovage seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Thursday, January 15, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Hilo, Hawaii? +

The average last spring frost date for Hilo, Hawaii (ZIP 96721) is around Thursday, January 1, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 12b.

How long does Lovage take to grow? +

Lovage typically matures in about 365 days from transplanting. In Hilo, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, January 15, 2026 plus 365 days.

Should I start Lovage indoors or direct sow in Hawaii? +

Lovage should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Hilo, that means starting around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

📚 More Lovage Planting Guides

🗺️

Lovage in Hawaii

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 12b Lovage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Hilo

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Lovage in Zone 12b

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a popular garden vegetable. In Hilo, Hawaii, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 12b, you should start seeds indoors around Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 1, 2026. Plan to transplant your Lovage seedlings outdoors around Thursday, January 15, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.