How to Grow Lovage
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Lovage
Levisticum officinale
herbLovage 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.
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Example Lovage timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Lovage
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Lovage
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lovage dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, preferring cooler climates; tolerates cold winters well
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall 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 weeksPlant 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 weeksTall 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 weeksFlowers 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 monthsIn 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.
Common Pests
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Remove infested leaves, use yellow sticky traps, apply neem oil, encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps
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Spray with strong water jet, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, introduce ladybugs or lacewings
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use miticide, apply neem oil or sulfur dust
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and
Handpick, use copper tape, apply diatomaceous earth, create beer traps, encourage natural predators
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and
Improve drainage, avoid overwatering, remove affected plants, apply fungicide if needed, ensure good air circulation
Uses
Soup, broth, and seasoning base
CulinaryLovage 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]
Root vegetable preparation
CulinaryThe 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]
Digestive and diuretic aid
MedicinalLovage 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]
Anti-inflammatory remedy
MedicinalThe plant contains compounds such as coumarins and flavonoids that give it anti-inflammatory properties, historically used to reduce joint pain and inflammation. [source]
Fragrance and aromatherapy
HouseholdLovage 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
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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