Garden Lovage
A selected garden form of lovage bred for particularly large, flavorful leaves with an intense celery taste.
On this pageOverview
Meet Garden Lovage
A selected garden form of lovage bred for particularly large, flavorful leaves with an intense celery taste. This cultivar grows vigorously to 6 feet and produces abundant foliage ideal for soups, stocks, and Bloody Marys. Plant in rich, moist soil and cut back flowering stems to redirect energy into leaf production.
When to plant Garden Lovage
Lovage seeds are slow to germinate and lose viability quickly; use fresh seed less than a year old. Sow indoors in early spring, pressing seeds onto moist seed-starting mix and covering lightly. Maintain temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. Germination takes 10 to 20 days and can be erratic. Cold stratification for 2 weeks before sowing may improve germination rates. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 24 to 36 inches apart. Division of established plants in spring is more reliable than seed.
Your Garden Lovage Year
Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1
Sow Garden Lovage Mar – Apr, pick Apr – Sep. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.
How to grow Garden Lovage
Garden lovage is a magnificent perennial herb that grows to an impressive 6 feet tall, providing a bold vertical statement in the herb garden. Its large, glossy, dark green compound leaves have an intense celery flavor that is more complex and aromatic than celery itself. Plant in partial shade to full sun with rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Give lovage plenty of space, as mature plants spread 3 feet wide.
Start seeds indoors in early spring, as lovage seeds germinate slowly and erratically, taking 10 to 20 days at 60 to 65 degrees. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost, spacing 24 to 36 inches apart. Lovage can also be propagated by dividing established clumps in spring.
Maintain consistent moisture throughout the growing season; lovage wilts dramatically in drought but recovers quickly when watered. Cut back flower stalks as they appear to redirect energy into leaf production, unless you want to harvest seeds. Lovage dies back to the ground in winter and returns reliably in spring. A single plant provides more than enough lovage for most households.
8 plants fit a 4 × 8 ft bed
Each Garden Lovage wants 60 cm of elbow room. The planner keeps that spacing for you — every plant, every bed.
Garden Lovage's best neighbours
Lovage's tall stature makes it useful as a living privacy screen or windbreak in the herb garden. Its flowers attract beneficial insects including parasitic wasps and hover flies. Plant at the back of borders where its height won't shade lower-growing herbs. Lovage reportedly improves the health and flavor of nearby plants, making it a traditional companion in mixed herb plantings. Keep away from very short herbs that it would overshadow.
Parsley belongs beside it.
Old growers' knowledge, checked against Garden Lovage's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.
Feed it well
Lovage thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. It benefits from generous compost amendment at planting and annual top-dressing. Apply balanced organic fertilizer in early spring when new growth emerges. Mulch with organic matter to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Lovage is a heavy feeder and benefits from periodic feeding throughout the growing season, especially if leaves are harvested frequently.
Ideal Temperature
Hardiness Zone Compatibility
From seed to harvest, stage by stage
Seed Germination
Lovage seeds are slow and somewhat erratic germinators, typically requiring 10-20 days to emerge under optimal conditions. The small, ribbed seeds need light and consistent moisture to break dormancy. Fresh seed germinates far more reliably than older stock, as lovage seed viability drops sharply after the first year. The first leaves to emerge are small, simple, and rounded — quite unlike the mature compound foliage.
Seedling Establishment
Once established, seedlings develop their first true compound leaves with serrated, celery-like leaflets. Growth is slow at first as the plant invests heavily in root development, building the thick taproot that will sustain it for years to come. By 6-8 weeks, plants have several sets of compound leaves and a rosette about 15-20 cm across.
First-Year Vegetative Growth
In its first year, lovage focuses on building a strong root system and a bushy rosette of deeply divided, glossy dark green leaves. Plants typically reach 40-60 cm tall in their first season and do not usually flower. The foliage has the intense celery-like aroma that makes lovage prized in the kitchen. By autumn, the leaves yellow and die back as the plant enters dormancy, storing energy in its thickening taproot.
Spring Regrowth and Flowering
From the second year onward, lovage erupts from dormancy in early spring with vigorous new growth, often pushing through the soil before the last frosts have passed. The plant rapidly sends up thick, hollow stems that can reach 1.5-2 meters tall. In midsummer, large compound umbels of tiny yellow-green flowers appear at the stem tips, resembling giant flat-topped clusters that buzz with bees and beneficial insects.
Seed Set and Dormancy
After flowering, lovage develops clusters of small, ridged, aromatic seeds that ripen from green to brown over several weeks in late summer. The seeds have a warm, celery-like flavor and are used as a spice. As autumn arrives, the foliage yellows and dies back to the ground. The thick perennial rootstock remains alive underground, ready to restart growth the following spring. A well-established lovage plant can live and produce for 15-20 years.
Sow seeds on the surface or barely cover with 3mm of fine compost, as light aids germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged at 15-20°C (60-68°F). Stratifying seeds in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks before sowing can improve germination rates significantly. Be patient — germination is naturally uneven.
Caring for Garden Lovage month by month
What to do each month for your Garden Lovage
July
You are herePeak flowering and harvesting month. Yellow-green umbel flowers attract hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and other beneficial insects. Harvest leaves in the morning when essential oils are most concentrated. In hot climates, lovage may wilt in afternoon heat — afternoon shade and consistent moisture help.
Harvesting Garden Lovage
Harvest lovage leaves throughout the growing season by cutting outer stalks at the base. Young spring leaves have the mildest, most pleasant flavor. The stems can be harvested for use as a celery substitute in soups and stews; peel tough outer fibers from larger stems. Seeds can be harvested when they turn brown on the plant, typically in late summer. The roots of 2 to 3 year old plants can be dug in fall and used medicinally or as a flavoring.
assuming you sow when the window opens — set your real date
Pick Garden Lovage promptly and the plant keeps producing.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh lovage stores in the refrigerator for up to a week in a glass of water covered loosely with a plastic bag. For drying, hang bundles of stems in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area for 1 to 2 weeks. Dried lovage retains good celery-like flavor for up to a year. Freeze chopped leaves in ice cube trays with water or stock for convenient additions to winter soups. Lovage stems can be candied like angelica for decorating cakes and pastries. Seeds dry well and store for 2 to 3 years.
What goes wrong — and the fix
Leaf Miners
PestWinding pale trails or blotches in leaves where larvae feed between surfaces. Primarily cosmetic. Most common in late spring.
Aphids
PestClusters on tender new growth and flower stalks. Sticky honeydew and possible sooty mold. Usually a minor issue.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The main challenge is managing lovage's impressive size; a single plant can overwhelm a small herb garden. Allow adequate space or grow in a large container. Self-sowing can be aggressive if flower stalks are not removed. Lovage wilts dramatically during drought but recovers quickly with watering. Leaf miners occasionally disfigure foliage but do not affect plant health. The intense celery flavor can be overpowering if used too generously in cooking.
Growing Tips
- Always use fresh seed when starting lovage — seed viability drops dramatically after the first year. If possible, collect seeds directly from an existing plant or purchase from a reputable supplier that guarantees current-year stock. Stratifying seeds in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks before sowing significantly improves germination.
- Give lovage plenty of space. Mature plants reach 1.5-2 meters tall and 60-90 cm wide, so plant at the back of herb borders or in a dedicated spot where they won't shade out smaller herbs and vegetables. A single plant is usually sufficient for most households.
- Lovage prefers rich, deep, consistently moist soil with good drainage. Work generous amounts of compost or well-rotted manure into the planting area before setting out transplants. The deep taproot appreciates loose, uncompacted soil that it can penetrate easily.
- Partial afternoon shade extends the harvest season in hot climates and prevents the bitterness that can develop in lovage foliage during heatwaves. In cooler northern climates, full sun produces the most vigorous growth and strongest flavor.
- Harvest leaves from the outside of the plant first, working inward, and never take more than a third of the foliage at one time. This allows the plant to recover quickly and continue producing fresh growth throughout the season.
- Remove flower stalks as they appear if you want to maximize leaf production. However, leaving a few flower heads benefits the garden ecosystem enormously — lovage umbels are among the best flowers for attracting hoverflies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps that prey on aphids and other garden pests.
- Divide established clumps every 3-4 years in early spring or autumn to maintain vigor. Use a sharp spade to split the root crown into sections, each with at least 2-3 growth buds and a portion of healthy root. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth and water well.
- Lovage freezes beautifully for winter use. Chop fresh leaves finely and freeze in ice cube trays with a little water or olive oil — pop out a cube whenever a recipe calls for celery-like flavor. This preserves far more flavor than drying.
- The hollow stems of lovage can be blanched and eaten as a vegetable, similar to celery but with deeper flavor. Young stems harvested in spring when they are still tender and pale green are the most delicate. Older stems become tough and fibrous.
- Lovage is an excellent companion plant for many vegetables. Its tall stature provides dappled shade for lettuce and other heat-sensitive crops, its flowers attract beneficial predatory insects, and its deep taproot helps break up compacted subsoil and bring nutrients up from lower soil layers.
Pick your Garden Lovage
Magna
A selected garden form with particularly large, aromatic leaves and vigorous growth. The standard improved cultivar for kitchen gardens. Reaches 6 feet tall with abundant foliage.
Common Lovage
The standard species type, slightly smaller than Magna but with the same intense celery flavor. Very hardy and long-lived perennial. Self-sows readily if allowed to set seed.
Fresh lovage is rarely available in supermarkets and commands premium prices of $3-6 per small bunch at farmers' markets and specialty grocers when it can be found at all. Dried lovage costs $8-15 per ounce at spice shops. A single $3-4 seed packet or $5-8 starter plant produces a perennial that returns year after year for 15-20 years with minimal care, providing a virtually unlimited supply of fresh leaves, stems, seeds, and roots. Over a decade, one lovage plant easily saves $100-300 compared to purchasing equivalent amounts of the fresh herb — and nothing matches the flavor of leaves picked moments before cooking.
Quick recipes
Creamy Potato and Lovage Soup
35 minA silky, comforting soup that perfectly showcases lovage's deep celery-like flavor. Tender potatoes are simmered with onion and garlic, then blended with a generous handful of fresh lovage leaves into a velvety soup that tastes far more complex than its simple ingredients suggest.
9 ingredientsLovage Pesto
10 minA bold, intensely savory pesto that uses lovage in place of traditional basil. The herb's natural umami depth and celery-like warmth create a versatile sauce that is exceptional on pasta, grilled vegetables, or spread on crusty bread. A little goes a long way due to lovage's powerful flavor.
7 ingredientsLovage Butter
10 minA simple compound butter infused with finely chopped lovage that melts beautifully over grilled fish, steamed vegetables, or fresh bread. The herb's aromatic oils infuse the butter with a complex, savory celery flavor that elevates everyday dishes into something special. Rolls freeze well for months.
6 ingredientsCulinary Uses
Lovage is the ultimate celery substitute with a more complex, concentrated flavor. Add leaves to soups, stews, stocks, and broths where you would use celery. The hollow stems can be used as natural straws for savory drinks like Bloody Marys and tomato juice. Young leaves add depth to salads, potato dishes, and cream sauces. Use sparingly due to the intense flavor. Lovage is traditional in many European cuisines, particularly German, Austrian, and English cooking. The seeds flavor breads, crackers, and cheese.
What's inside
Health Benefits
- Rich in quercetin and other flavonoid antioxidants that help reduce chronic inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and may protect against oxidative stress-related cellular damage according to nutritional research.
- Contains volatile oils including ligustilide and butylphthalide that have traditionally been used to support digestive health by stimulating gastric secretions and relieving bloating, gas, and indigestion.
- Provides significant vitamin A (89% DV per 100g of fresh leaves) as beta-carotene, supporting healthy vision, immune system function, and skin cell renewal — far exceeding the vitamin A content of common celery.
- Acts as a natural diuretic in traditional European herbal medicine, helping to promote healthy kidney function, reduce fluid retention, and support urinary tract health when consumed as a tea or decoction.
- Good source of vitamin C (20% DV per 100g) which supports collagen synthesis, enhances iron absorption from plant foods, and contributes to immune defense — especially valuable when used generously in spring and summer cooking.
- Contains coumarins and other bioactive compounds that have been studied for their potential antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, which may contribute to overall immune resilience when lovage is consumed regularly as part of a varied diet.
Where Garden Lovage comes from
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is native to the mountainous regions of southern Europe, most likely originating in the area spanning modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and the eastern Mediterranean. From these origins, it spread across Europe through ancient trade routes and the deliberate cultivation efforts of Greek and Roman herbalists who prized it for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The Romans were especially fond of lovage and helped distribute it throughout their empire, planting it in herb gardens from Britain to North Africa.
During the medieval period, lovage became one of the cornerstone herbs of European monastery gardens, where Benedictine monks cultivated it alongside other essential medicinal and culinary plants. The great herbalist Charlemagne included lovage in his Capitulare de villis (circa 800 CE), a decree listing plants that were required to be grown in imperial gardens throughout the Frankish Empire. This royal endorsement helped cement lovage's place in European horticulture for centuries to come.
In folk medicine traditions across Europe, lovage root was used as a digestive tonic, a remedy for urinary complaints, and a treatment for sore throats and respiratory ailments. In German-speaking countries, lovage remains a beloved culinary herb known as 'Maggikraut' (Maggi herb) because its flavor closely resembles that of the famous Maggi seasoning — though lovage predates the commercial product by many centuries. The herb's association with love and romance led to its inclusion in traditional love potions and bath preparations, particularly in rural England and Central Europe.
Lovage crossed the Atlantic with early European settlers and was grown in colonial American kitchen gardens from the 1600s onward. Thomas Jefferson is recorded as having cultivated lovage at Monticello. Though it fell out of widespread commercial cultivation as celery became more available and affordable in the 19th and 20th centuries, lovage has experienced a renaissance among herb enthusiasts, permaculture practitioners, and chefs who value its intense flavor, perennial nature, and remarkable self-sufficiency in the garden.
Garden Lovage: did you know?
Fascinating facts about Garden Lovage
Lovage was one of the most important herbs in medieval European monastery gardens, where it was grown as both a medicinal plant and a culinary staple. Monks used it to flavor soups and stews during Lent, when its intense savory depth helped make simple meatless meals more satisfying.
Garden Lovage questions, answered
When should I plant Garden Lovage?
What are good companion plants for Garden Lovage?
What hardiness zones can Garden Lovage grow in?
How much sun does Garden Lovage need?
How far apart should I space Garden Lovage?
What pests and diseases affect Garden Lovage?
How do I store Garden Lovage after harvest?
What are the best Garden Lovage varieties to grow?
What soil does Garden Lovage need?
Does lovage taste like celery?
Is lovage a perennial or annual herb?
How do I use lovage in cooking?
Why is my lovage plant wilting or going yellow in summer?
Can I grow lovage in a container?
How do I preserve lovage for winter use?
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From the “When to plant” sectionDrag-and-drop bed planner
Design beds on a grid. Every plant snaps to its proper spacing, and you can see your whole season laid out before you spend a cent on seed.
From the “Growing guide” sectionCompanion conflicts, caught early
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From the “Companions” sectionReminders you'll actually act on
“Water the beans.” “Pick today before it turns.” Timely, specific, and tied to the plants you're really growing.
From the “Harvest” sectionSuccession, scheduled
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From the “When to plant” sectionA record that gets smarter
Every harvest you log teaches it your garden. Next year's plan starts from what actually worked in your soil, not a textbook's.
From the “Overview” sectionPlant these alongside Garden Lovage
More Culinary Herbs
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