How to Grow Lovage

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

herb

Lovage is a tall perennial herb with celery-like leaves and a distinctive warm, savory flavor reminiscent of yeast or celery. The plant produces small yellow-green flowers and aromatic seeds, and can reach heights of 3-6 feet when mature. It has been used for centuries in European cuisine and traditional medicine.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; prefers 6+ hours of sunlight daily, tolerates afternoon shade

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Water: Moderate and consistent watering; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice weekly during growing season. More tolerant of moisture than many herbs but dislikes sitting water.

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Spacing: 24 inches

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Days to maturity: 90-120 days from seed for first harvest; establishes as perennial thereafter

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Planting depth: 0.25

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9, preferring cooler climates; tolerates cold winters well

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Small seedlings emerge with 2-3 true leaves, initially delicate and slow-growing

Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light and protect from strong direct sun initially. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once established.

Vegetative/Establishment

6-8 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems with characteristic celery-like, deeply lobed leaves. Growth accelerates as root system establishes.

Water regularly and deeply. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer or compost tea. Pinch back tips to encourage bushier growth.

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Tall flower stalks emerge with compound umbels of small yellow-green or pale yellow flowers. Plant reaches full height.

Continue regular watering. Deadhead flowers if you want to encourage leaf production, or allow flowering for seed production. Support tall stems if needed with stakes.

Seed Formation and Ripening

3-4 weeks

Flowers develop into aromatic oblong seeds (fruits) that ripen from green to tan/brown. Seeds can be harvested for culinary or propagation use.

Allow seeds to fully dry on the plant. Collect seed heads when they turn brown but before they shatter. Dry indoors on paper for 2-3 weeks before storing.

Dormancy/Perennial Rest

3-5 months

In fall, foliage dies back; roots remain alive underground. Plant regrows vigorously the following spring.

Cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring. Add compost or mulch in fall for winter protection in colder zones. In zone 3, apply 3-4 inches of mulch for extra insulation.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Parsley Chives Thyme Sage Marjoram Borage Lemon balm Fennel Dill

Avoid planting near:

Cilantro Caraway

Common Pests

Remove infested leaves, use yellow sticky traps, apply neem oil, encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps
Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, introduce ladybugs or lacewings
Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide, apply neem oil or sulfur dust
and
Handpick, use copper tape, apply diatomaceous earth, create beer traps, encourage natural predators
and
Improve drainage, avoid overwatering, remove affected plants, apply fungicide if needed, ensure good air circulation

Uses

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Soup, broth, and seasoning base

Culinary

Lovage leaves and stems are used to flavor soups, stews, and broths much like celery, with a distinctive warm savory note. The seeds can be used as a spice or in bread and cheese dishes. [source]

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Root vegetable preparation

Culinary

The lovage root can be harvested after the third year, peeled, and used fresh in soups or dried as a flavoring agent similar to lovage seed. [source]

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Digestive and diuretic aid

Medicinal

Lovage has been traditionally used in herbal medicine as a diuretic, digestive tonic, and to support kidney and urinary health. Lovage tea is prepared from fresh or dried leaves. [source]

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Anti-inflammatory remedy

Medicinal

The plant contains compounds such as coumarins and flavonoids that give it anti-inflammatory properties, historically used to reduce joint pain and inflammation. [source]

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Fragrance and aromatherapy

Household

Lovage seeds and dried leaves have a distinctive aromatic scent used in potpourri, sachets, and herbal bundles for fragrance and as a natural insect repellent. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin harvesting leaves in late spring once plant is established, typically 8-10 weeks after planting. Pinch off outer leaves and leaf stalks regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering if desired for continuous leaf production. For seeds, harvest in late summer when seed heads turn brown but before they shatter—cut entire seed heads and dry indoors. Cut plant back by one-third in mid-summer to promote fresh growth. Do not over-harvest first-year plants; wait until second year for heavy harvesting.

Fun Facts

🌱 Lovage seeds were chewed by medieval travelers and sailors to prevent scurvy and aid digestion on long journeys, earning it the nickname 'the traveler's herb'
🌱 The plant's name derives from the Latin 'levisticum' or from the Old French 'lovache,' and it has been cultivated in European monastery gardens for over 1,000 years for both culinary and medicinal uses
🌱 A single lovage plant can produce thousands of seeds annually and self-seeds readily, making it a prolific perennial that can return year after year from the same root without replanting

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