Lovage
Overview
Lovage (*Levisticum officinale*) is a perennial herb from the Apiaceae family, thriving in cool, temperate climates. Growing up to 8 feet tall, it needs well-drained soil and full sun. Culinary uses include flavoring soups, while medicinally, it aids digestion. It also adds ornamental value with its lush foliage and yellow flowers.
Characteristics
Known for its celery-like flavor, tall growth, and use in culinary, medicinal, and ornamental applications.
Region
It is usually found or grown in cool, temperate regions and USDA zones 3 to 9.
Natural Habitat
It is usually found in damp meadows and along stream margins.
Cultivation
Requires full sun to partial shade, consistently moist but well-drained soil, and regular watering while avoiding waterlogged conditions.
Uses and Benefits
Lovage brings versatile benefits to both kitchen and wellness routines:
- Kitchen Versatility:
- Young stems can be blanched and used like celery
- Fresh leaves enhance potato dishes, salads, and egg recipes
- Seeds add warmth to breads and pickled vegetables
- Roots can be peeled, cooked and eaten as a vegetable3
- Wellness Support:
- Contains natural compounds that may ease bloating
- Traditionally used to support healthy digestion
- Rich in quercetin and other antioxidants5
- Garden Benefits:
- Attracts beneficial insects that help control garden pests
- Makes an excellent companion plant for root vegetables
- Provides height and structure in herb gardens5
- Natural Remedies:
- Root tea traditionally used for respiratory support
- Fresh leaves can be made into a soothing tincture
- Seeds are used in traditional digestive blends5
Cultivation Tips
Essential cultivation tips for lovage success:
- Soil Preparation: Plant in rich, fertile soil with good drainage. Add compost or aged manure before planting to improve soil structure and nutrients. Maintain a pH between 6.0-7.0 1
- Spacing & Support: Space plants 2-3 feet apart as they can grow quite tall. Consider installing stakes or supports early in the season to prevent mature plants from falling over
- Maintenance: Remove flower heads unless collecting seeds to maintain leaf production. Cut back old growth in late autumn to encourage fresh spring growth
- Propagation Options:
- Seeds: Sow directly in spring or start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Division: Split mature plants every 3-4 years in early spring or fall
- Companion Planting: Grows well alongside most herbs and vegetables. Particularly benefits potato and other root crop growth
- Container Growing: Choose deep pots at least 12 inches wide and 24 inches deep with excellent drainage holes
Regular harvesting of leaves throughout the growing season encourages bushier growth and extends the productive period.
Companion Planting
Companion Planting Success
Lovage serves as a powerful ally in the garden, creating mutually beneficial relationships with several vegetables and herbs. Its tall, umbrella-shaped flowers attract beneficial predatory wasps and pollinators that help protect your garden from harmful pests5.
Ideal Companion Plants:
- Cabbage – Lovage helps deter cabbage moths and other brassica pests
- Potatoes – The herb’s deep roots help break up soil for potato growth
- Thyme – Creates a complementary ground cover beneath lovage
- Bean plants – Benefits from lovage’s soil-enriching properties
- Tomatoes – Lovage can enhance tomato flavor and growth
Plants to Keep Separate:
- Carrots
- Parsley
- Celery
- Dill
These plants belong to the same family (Apiaceae) as lovage and will compete for similar nutrients and root space5. For best results, space these plants at least 3-4 feet apart.
To maximize lovage’s companion benefits, plant it along garden borders or at the corners of vegetable beds where its height won’t shade smaller plants. The umbrella-shaped flowers create natural landing zones for beneficial insects, turning your garden into a balanced ecosystem that naturally manages pest problems.
Seasonal Considerations
Understanding lovage’s seasonal patterns helps maximize its growth potential throughout the year:
- Spring Care
- Watch for emerging shoots in early spring
- Apply balanced organic fertilizer when growth begins
- Divide established plants if needed before new growth accelerates
- Summer Management
- Harvest leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth
- Remove flower stalks to maintain leaf production
- Provide afternoon shade in hot climates
- Increase watering during dry spells
- Fall Preparation
- Reduce watering as temperatures cool
- Cut back yellowing foliage
- Collect seeds if desired
- Apply mulch around the base
- Winter Protection
- Add 2-3 inches of straw mulch for winter protection
- Mark plant location before die-back
- Expect dormancy in zones 3-71
- In zones 8-9, some foliage may persist
For zones 3-9, lovage naturally dies back in winter and emerges in spring. Southern gardeners should provide extra shade and moisture during peak summer heat for optimal growth.
Issues and Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Growing lovage can present some challenges. Root rot is a common problem caused by waterlogged soil. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent this issue.
Pests like aphids and leaf miners may infest lovage plants. Regular monitoring and natural pest control methods, such as insecticidal soaps or neem oil, can help keep these pests at bay.
- Powdery mildew thrives in humid conditions. Improve air circulation around plants and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
- Yellowing leaves may indicate nutrient deficiencies or poor soil quality. Test the soil and amend with compost or fertilizer as needed.
Proper drainage, pest management, good air flow, and maintaining soil fertility are key to troubleshooting common lovage issues. With attentive care, you can enjoy a bountiful lovage harvest.2
History and Folklore
The story of lovage weaves through millennia of human history, from ancient Rome’s bustling marketplaces to quiet medieval monastery gardens. Roman soldiers carried lovage in their packs, believing it would give them strength and endurance during long marches. In the Middle Ages, Benedictine monks carefully tended lovage in their medicinal gardens, documenting its uses in detailed manuscripts5.
Folk traditions across Europe embraced lovage as a powerful charm for attracting love. Young women would carry lovage leaves in their pockets or add them to bathing water, hoping to enhance their appeal to potential suitors. The herb’s connection to matters of the heart extended into protective magic – households would hang dried lovage above doorways to ward off negative energies.
In Scottish Highland traditions, lovage was one of the essential “blessed herbs,” planted near homes for protection and good fortune. This practice continued well into the 19th century, with remnant lovage patches still marking the locations of old Highland settlements.
References
1. “Lovage – Wikipedia.” *Wikipedia*, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovage
2. “Lovage Plant Guide: Cultivation, Uses & Benefits.” *Wildcraftia*, https://www.wildcraftia.com/plant/lovage/
3. “How to Grow and Use Lovage, An Uncommon Herb | Gardener’s Path.” *Gardener’s Path*, https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/growing-lovage-uncommon-leafy-green-many-uses/
4. “Lovage Plant Tips: Lovely Little Leaves – Epic Gardening.” *Epic Gardening*, https://www.epicgardening.com/lovage-plant/
5. “Levisticum officinale (Lovage) – Gardenia.” *Gardenia*, https://www.gardenia.net/plant/levisticum-officinale
Image Credit: AndreasGoellner
Image Credit: AndreasGoellner
Image Credit: MAKY_OREL
Nicolas Duval
Nicolas is a passionate advocate for nature and the art of wildcrafting. His dedication shines through in Wildcraftia, a website he meticulously crafted to serve as a haven for nature enthusiasts worldwide. Driven by a deep appreciation for nature’s connection to humanity, Nicolas embarked on his journey in 2011 with SmokableHerbs, a platform showcasing his love for nature’s bounty. Building upon this foundation, he established Smokably, a thriving online store offering premium herbs and blends to a global audience.