Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a tall, robust perennial herb prized for its strong celery-like flavor in cooking. Hardy in zones 4-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Lovage, scientifically known as Levisticum officinale, is a distinctive and imposing herbaceous perennial highly valued in the culinary world for its intense, savory flavor reminiscent of celery. Gardeners often integrate this robust herb into their landscape because nearly every part—the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds—offers usable flavorings for soups, stews, and salads. Its dramatic height, often reaching up to six feet, combined with its characteristic deeply divided dark green foliage, gives it significant ornamental appeal, especially when placed toward the rear of a border.
While primarily grown as a functional herb, Levisticum officinale demands attention in the garden and exhibits strong self-seeding tendencies, making it easy to naturalize once established. It provides continuous fresh leaves throughout the season, provided the gardener manages its growth with timely pruning. These characteristics establish Lovage as a high-impact, if sometimes high-maintenance, addition to dedicated herb plots or mixed borders.
The plant produces small umbels of tiny, greenish-yellow flowers in late spring to early summer, which, although subtle, are considered showy enough to note. Successful cultivation of this Mediterranean native relies on providing consistent moisture and adequate sunlight, rewarding the dedicated gardener with year-round aromatic harvests.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Apiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Eastern Mediterranean
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: High
How to Grow
Planting Levisticum officinale is best achieved in spring after the last frost, or in early fall in mild regions. This herb thrives best in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil, though it truly prefers deep, moist, loamy conditions with plenty of sun exposure. While it tolerates part shade, maximize flavor and vertical growth in full sun.
Maintenance for Lovage is considered high, largely due to its vigor and need for consistent moisture management. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, as drought stress negatively impacts leaf quality. During the growing season, implement a periodic hard cut-back on select stems; this pruning technique is crucial as it actively encourages the production of a continuous supply of fresh, tender new leaves.
Be aware that if you allow the seeds to fully mature and drop, Levisticum officinale will easily self-seed throughout the garden. To control spread or ensure flavor quality, harvest seeds before they fully drop. Propagation is most straightforward by dividing the roots in spring or by sowing fresh seeds. Ensure excellent drainage, as waterlogged roots can lead to problems.
Landscape Uses
The imposing stature and rich green foliage make Lovage a fantastic structural element in the landscape. Suggested uses highlight its role as an Herb and its ability to Naturalize, meaning it can create lush, informal groupings in wilder garden areas. For defined spaces, its height (up to 6 ft) makes it ideal for the back corner of a border, providing a dense, green screen or background for shorter companion plants.
In herb gardens, Lovage acts as an architectural anchor around which more delicate herbs can be placed. Its strong, celery-like aroma can also repel some pests, functioning as a natural element in integrated pest management. Consider dedicating a spot where its size won’t overwhelm smaller specimens, allowing it to grow freely or even escape cultivation slightly, given its naturalizing tendencies.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Levisticum officinale, commonly called lovage, is a culinary herb that is often grown in herb gardens for the celery-like flavor of its leaves, stems, roots and seeds. A somewhat imposing plant that can reach 6’ in height, its dark green leaves resemble finely divided parsley or celery. The roots, leaves, and seeds are all utilized, though gardeners should note that the plant has a history of escaping cultivation and naturalizing in temperate regions.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Gardeners growing Levisticum officinale should be vigilant regarding common pests and diseases that affect the Apiaceae family. Potential insect pests often include the tarnished plant bug, which can cause spotting and damage to new growth, the celery worm, and leaf miners that tunnel within the foliage. Disease pressure can manifest as early blight, late blight, or general leaf spots, especially in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor.
To manage these issues successfully, group Lovage away from heavy nightshade or brassica crops to reduce disease carryover. Ensure adequate spacing based on its 2-3 foot spread to promote good airflow, which is the primary defense against fungal leaf problems. Inspect leaves regularly for early signs of mining or bug damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lovage suitable for?
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Lovage grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a height between 3 to 6 feet tall, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity.
What sun exposure does Lovage need?
For best results, grow Lovage in full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade conditions.
When does Lovage bloom?
Levisticum officinale produces its small, greenish-yellow flowers primarily between May and June.
Conclusion
Lovage, or Levisticum officinale, is an invaluable perennial for the gardener seeking intense culinary flavor and structural height. Its high maintenance is often offset by its versatility in the kitchen and its strong presence in the landscape backdrop. Assess your garden’s moisture levels and available space, and plan to incorporate this robust herb before the next growing season begins.
Propagation Tips
Propagating Lovage is generally done via root division, which is best performed in the spring before new top growth emerges or in the early fall. Carefully lift the entire clump and gently separate the root ball into smaller viable sections, ensuring each division has healthy roots and a few growth buds. Alternatively, seeds can be harvested; however, germination success is higher if seeds are sown fresh, as viability decreases quickly after drying.
For the most predictable results, division is recommended, particularly for maintaining the established flavor profile of a mature plant. If starting from seed, expect Levisticum officinale to take a couple of seasons to reach its full, imposing stature, so patience is key when using this propagation method.
Companion Planting
Due to the high water and nutrient demands of Lovage and the space it occupies as it grows tall, careful companion selection is necessary. Plant Levisticum officinale near robust, equally thirsty companions like cardoons or certain brassicas, ensuring they do not overcrowd the base, which would impede air circulation. Avoid planting delicate, short herbs nearby that will be shaded out by the towering 6-foot height of mature Lovage.
It also pairs well with traditional companion scents; planting strongly flowering herbs like dill or fennel nearby can help confuse or repel some of the insect pests that target Lovage foliage. Ensure any planting scheme maintains excellent soil drainage, even when prioritizing consistent moisture for this moisture-loving perennial.
