Botanical profile

Lovage

Latin name
Levisticum officinale
Common name
Lovage
Type
Perennial
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.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Large perennial aromatic herb with a very fragrant celery taste
Vegetable garden, herbs, medicinal garden, flowerbed background, fresh cuisine
Container growing
Potted culture possible in a very large, deep container
Seasonal care
Cut back dry stems in fall or spring; divide clumps as needed; harvest young leaves regularly
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Zone 4 and above
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Watering
Regular; keep the soil moist without overwatering
Humidity
Average to high humidity; prefers cool, deep soil
Fertilization
Compost in spring; light fertilization in poor soil
Soil type
Fertile, deep, cool, and well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
-30°C
Propagation method
Seed or divide
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Summer
Flower color
Greenish yellow
Fruiting
Late-season aromatic seeds
Foliage color
Dark green
Foliage type
Obsolete
Shape
Large upright and vigorous clump
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6 ft)
Width
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Chives, parsley, celery, rhubarb
Spacing
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Harvest period
Leaves from spring to autumn; seeds in late summer
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.