Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perennial whose large flat-topped yellow flowers bloom in the summer. The nectar and pollen from the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, while birds feast on the seeds. Some will use it to flavor soups, sauces, and pickles but note that it’s said to be toxic. It could increase urination or cause kidney or urinary passage inflammation.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lovage, Levisticum officinale, is a tall perennial plant, the sole species in the genus Levisticum in the family Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae.
Levisticum officinale is native to Afghanistan and Iran, but has been introduced to most of Europe, and parts of South-East Asia, North and South America. It has been long cultivated in Europe, the leaves being used as a herb, the roots as a vegetable, and the seeds as a spice, especially in southern European cuisine.
The name “lovage” is from “love-ache”, ache being a medieval name for parsley; this is a folk-etymological modification of the older French name levesche, from late Latin levisticum, in turn thought to be a modification of the earlier Latin ligusticum, ‘of Liguria’ (northwest Italy), where the herb was grown extensively. In modern botanical usage, both Latin forms are now used for different (but closely related) genera, with Levisticum for (culinary) lovage, and Ligusticum for Scots lovage, a similar species from northern Europe, and for related species.
Lovage is an erect, herbaceous, perennial plant growing to 1.8–2.5 m (6–8 ft) tall, with a basal rosette of leaves and stems with further leaves, the flowers being produced in umbels at the top of the stems.
The stems and leaves are shiny glabrous green to yellow-green and smell somewhat similar to celery when crushed. The larger basal leaves are up to 70 cm (28 in) long, tripinnate, with broad triangular to rhomboidal, acutely pointed leaflets with a few marginal teeth; the stem leaves are smaller, and less divided with few leaflets.
The flowers are yellow to greenish-yellow, 2–3 mm (1⁄16–1⁄8 in) diameter, produced in globose umbels up to 10–15 cm (4–6 in) diameter; flowering is in late spring. The fruit is a dry two-parted schizocarp 4–7 mm (3⁄16–1⁄4 in) long, mature in autumn.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight and Temperature
Lovage is a cool, temperate climate plant that prefers full sun with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It will also grow happily in warmer climates if shaded from the midday sun. As cold-hardy perennial plants, lovage grows well in USDA zones 3 to 9, surviving freezing winter temperatures with little to no protection.
Water and Humidity
Soil should be consistently moist but not wet. Drip hoses are ideal to maintain moisture levels, especially during dry periods as lovage is not drought tolerant. Alternatively, water your plants in the morning or late evening when the top few inches of soil feel dry to touch. Use watering cans or hoses directed at the ground. Watering is not necessary over winter when plants are dormant.
Soil
Grow lovage in rich, moist, well-draining soil. Sandy loam is ideal. Prepare beds with lots of rich organic matter to provide nutrients for the new growing season. Lovage likes a slightly acidic soil pH of 6.5.
Fertilizing
Lovage grows best in rich soil with lots of added organic matter. Dig in well-rotted manure before planting and top dress established plants in spring with manure or good quality compost to provide extra nutrients. If plants look a little lackluster, give them a balanced liquid feed in spring and again in mid-summer after a hard prune to encourage new growth.
Planting Instructions
If you are new to growing, then starting off lovage from storebought transplants is a good option. If not, then it’s straightforward to grow from seed or a root division.
Sow seeds into modules or pots, 5-6 weeks before the last frost date and they will be ready for planting outside after all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 2ft (60cms) apart. Remember, you don’t need to sow many seeds as lovage plants are huge and one plant will provide more than enough leaves for a single household in a growing season.
Seeds can be sown directly into their final growing location in late spring or early fall and seedlings thinned to approximately 2ft (60cms) between plants. Spacing is the same for transplants.
Mature plants can be divided in early spring or fall and divisions planted into their new growing locations straight away or potted up into large containers.
Choose a bright, sheltered location to grow lovage, with moist, free-draining fertile soil. Soil can be prepared with well-rotted manure a few weeks prior to planting out if needed.
Lovage grows well in containers when the conditions are right. Provide lots of rich, moist, well-draining compost, and ensure your container is large and deep enough to accommodate a large plant with a long taproot and heavy enough so that it won’t blow over. Locate your container-grown plants in full sun or part shade in a sheltered spot in the garden.
Pruning
The more you harvest lovage leaves the more it will produce, but at some point, the plant will want to flower. Cut back all the flowering stems once you have collected the seeds and the second flush of new leaves will appear in a few weeks. Leaves die back in fall so to keep the plant looking tidy, cut back all stems to ground level in winter.
Propagation
Lovage can be propagated by seed or division. Sow fresh seed under cover in spring, 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow into cell trays filled with general compost and lightly cover with a sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Germination can be erratic taking up to 20 days. Gentle bottom heat with a temperature of 60ºF (15ºC) should help speed things along.
Seeds can be sown directly into prepared beds in spring after all risk of frost or early fall. Thin seedlings to 60cm apart.
Established plants can be divided in the fall or early spring. To divide, carefully dig up the entire plant and split it into the desired number of divisions using a spade, garden fork, or sharp knife.
Weed Control
Pests and Diseases
- Growing Problems
Lovage is pretty much trouble-free and an enjoyable plant to grow in the garden. A couple of things to bear in mind are that lovage likes its soil to be kept on the moist side, so keep your plants hydrated. Also, the vigorous growth and height of lovage can make it susceptible to blowing over. If this happens, use stakes to provide additional support and move plants to a more sheltered location.
- Common Pests
Leaf miners are the main insect to attack lovage by boring through leaf membranes leaving unsightly road maps across the surface. Spray leaves with an organic insecticide such as neem oil at first sight of infestation. Wash all leaves before consumption.
- Common Diseases
Lovage tends to be disease-free, but it can be affected by early or late blight causing leaves to turn yellow and die. Preventative action can be taken early in the season by applying Trichoderma harzianum to the planting site. Good garden hygiene is essential to avoid blight as well as removing infected foliage and relocating plants to more appropriate growing conditions. Adequate air circulation is essential and crop rotation every few years will reduce the likelihood of blight recurring. Late blight can be treated with organic fungicidal sprays such as sulfur, copper, neem oil, and potassium bicarbonate.
III. Uses and Benefits
Ornamental uses
Lovage is typically grown in flower and herb gardens as a specimen plant or grown in clusters to maximize visual appeal. Its glossy, dark leaves add contrast to other garden foliage and the multi-stem plant produces clusters of flowers in the summer. The leaves and seeds are also aromatic, adding to its garden appeal.
Other uses
The leaves can be used in salads, or to make soup or season broths, and the roots can be eaten as a vegetable or grated for use in salads. Its flavour and smell are reminiscent both of celery and parsley, only more intense and spicy than either. The seeds can be used as a spice in the same way as fennel seeds.
- In the Netherlands, lovage leaves are traditionally cooked with white asparagus and salt; and served with boiled eggs.
- In Ukraine, lovage (in Ukrainian любисток/liubystok), is considered an aphrodisiac. Traditionally, an infusion prepared from lovage leaves has been used by women for rinsing their hair, in order to attract men with the pleasant spicy smell of the plant. Nowadays, hair conditioners can be bought which contain lovage extract to strengthen the hair. Lovage leaves and roots are also used in salads and as a spice in Ukraine.
- In Romania, the leaves are a preferred seasoning for the various local broths and are just as popular, in this respect, as parsley or dill. Furthermore, the dried foliage and seeds are added to pickled cabbage and cucumbers both to aid in their preservation and to add flavour to them.
- In the UK, an alcoholic lovage cordial is traditionally added to brandy as a winter drink and is or was popular in Cornwall where it was originally added to slightly spoiled smuggled brandy to hide the taste of salt.
The roots, which contain a heavy, volatile oil, are used as a mild aquaretic. Lovage root contains furanocoumarins which can lead to photosensitivity.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
- Harvesting
Flowering causes the leaves to become bitter, so harvest as many leaves as possible before the first flowering stalks emerge. Give plants a good prune to encourage fresh growth. Remove seed heads when the seeds begin to turn golden brown. Harvest roots when plants are being divided, or if you grow lots of lovage plants, harvest roots as needed from established plants.
- Storing
Leaves are best used fresh. For longer shelf life, place stems in a glass of water somewhere cool or wrap in damp kitchen paper and store in the refrigerator until needed. Roots are also best used fresh and will store well in a cool cupboard for up to a week. Hang seed heads somewhere warm and ventilated to dry completely. A paper bag placed over the seeds helps to catch any that fall. Dried seeds can be stored in an airtight container for a year.
