Lovage

Hardy perennial lovage with a powerful celery-like aromatic foliage, perfect for flavoring soups, sauces, broths, salads, and stews.

Format

Hardiness Zone 4 and above

Difficulty level Easy

Family Apiaceae

Lovage is a perennial aromatic plant highly prized for its deeply cut green foliage and powerful aroma, reminiscent of celery with a deeper, slightly spicy note. Also known as perpetual celery, it is ideal for vegetable gardens, herb gardens, edible borders, and spaces where one wishes to cultivate a durable, productive, and highly fragrant plant. Its leaves are used sparingly to flavor soups, broths, sauces, stews, salads, marinades, vegetables, potatoes, and homemade dishes.

Easy to grow, lovage prefers a sunny to lightly partially shaded location, in rich, cool, deep, and well-drained soil. It can grow quite large once established, so it's best to give it generous space in the garden or a large container. Regular watering helps maintain tender and flavorful foliage, especially during warm periods. Frequent harvesting of young leaves promotes denser growth and allows you to enjoy its aroma throughout the season.

Robust, productive, and very useful in the kitchen, lovage is an excellent plant for gardeners looking for an easy-to-maintain and flavorful perennial herb. Its stems, leaves, and seeds can be used to add an aromatic touch to recipes, making it a particularly versatile plant. It is an ideal choice to enrich a gourmet garden, a family vegetable patch, or a collection of aromatic plants with a durable and characterful perennial.