Heirloom

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

Wikimedia Commons

Young leaves taste like celery with a hint of anise, and are used in spring tonic salads and with potato, rice, soups, and poultry dishes. Roots and young stems are also edible. Young stems can be cut, peeled, and used in salads. Stems are smooth, hollow, and thick. Also available in organic seed. Attracts Beneficial Insects: If allowed to flower, provides pollen and nectar for beneficial insects such as bees, hoverflies, lacewing larvae, lady beetles, parasitic wasps, and tachinid flies.

Harvest

90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-6 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Lovage in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Lovage · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilMoist, well-draining loam rich in organic matter

WaterRegular; consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches weekly, avoid waterlogging

SeasonPerennial

FlavorCelery-forward with distinct anise, parsley, and faint yeast undertones; young leaves and stems are bright and herbaceous; mature foliage becomes more intense and slightly bitter.

ColorGreen

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall

Edibility: All parts are edible; seeds and leaves as flavoring, root as a vegetable, and flowers in soups and salads.

Storage & Preservation

Harvest lovage leaves after 90 days, ideally in the morning once dew dries. Store fresh sprigs in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator at 35–40°F with moderate humidity; they'll keep 7–10 days. For longer preservation, freezing works best—blanch whole sprigs briefly, then freeze in ice cube trays with water or oil for convenient portioning into soups and stews. Dried lovage also preserves well; hang-dry bundles in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space, then strip leaves and store in airtight containers away from light. The roots possess distinct medicinal properties and can be dried separately for herbal tea infusions. Avoid canning lovage, as its dense cellular structure doesn't process well under pressure. All methods retain the herb's characteristic celery-like warmth better than others, making frozen cubes particularly valuable for winter cooking.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern Mediterannean

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies
+Edible: All parts are edible; seeds and leaves as flavoring, root as a vegetable, and flowers in soups and salads.

Considerations

-Toxic: Low severity
-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Lovage pulls real weight near tomatoes, peppers, and beans. Its sharp, celery-like volatile compounds are thought to disrupt the host-plant odor cues that aphids and whiteflies rely on to find their targets. Planted at the corners of a tomato bed, it also draws in predatory wasps that parasitize hornworm eggs — which, in our zone 7 Georgia garden, matters most in July and August when hornworm pressure peaks. Carrots and onions sit comfortably nearby because their shallow root zones don't compete with lovage at depth, and at 18–24 inch spacing lovage isn't crowding anyone out.

Keep it well away from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), which releases allelopathic compounds that stunt most neighboring vegetables — lovage included. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is the harder constraint: juglone diffuses through the root zone and is toxic to a wide range of plants, so don't site lovage anywhere a walnut's canopy has historically reached. Sage is a lower-stakes concern, but the two share nearly identical moisture requirements and wind up competing for the same soil resources without doing each other any favors.

Plant Together

Tomatoes

Lovage repels pests like aphids and tomato hornworms while improving tomato flavor

Beans

Beans fix nitrogen in soil which benefits the heavy-feeding lovage plant

Carrots

Lovage improves carrot flavor and repels carrot flies with its strong scent

Cabbage

Lovage deters cabbage worms and other brassica pests

Onions

Both plants repel each other's pests and onions help deter slugs from lovage

Roses

Lovage repels aphids and other rose pests while attracting beneficial insects

Peppers

Lovage provides natural pest control for aphids and improves pepper growth

Strawberries

Lovage repels harmful insects and may enhance strawberry flavor

Keep Apart

Fennel

Inhibits growth of lovage and most garden plants through allelopathic compounds

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to lovage and inhibits its growth

Sage

Competes aggressively for nutrients and may stunt lovage growth when planted too close

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Rarely troubled by pests; occasional spider mites or aphids in dry conditions

Diseases

Root rot in waterlogged soil; powdery mildew in poor air circulation; generally disease-resistant when grown in well-draining soil

Troubleshooting Lovage

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems look pinched or water-soaked, often within the first 1-2 weeks after transplant

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp. — triggered by overwatering or heavy, poorly draining soil
Planting into cold, wet soil below 50°F where seedlings sit vulnerable before roots establish

What to Do

1.Pull the affected seedlings and check for brown, slimy roots — if you see that, cut watering immediately and improve drainage
2.Amend planting beds with coarse compost or perlite before transplanting; lovage wants consistent moisture but not standing water
3.Start fresh transplants in a container with sterile seed-starting mix rather than reusing soil from a bed that's had damping off problems

Crowns and roots turn brown and mushy; plant wilts even when soil is wet; outer stalks collapse first

Likely Causes

Root rot — most commonly Pythium spp. — from chronically waterlogged soil or a low spot that holds water after rain
Heavy clay soil with poor internal drainage, which is common across much of the Georgia piedmont

What to Do

1.Dig the plant and inspect the crown; cut away any soft, discolored root tissue with a clean knife
2.Replant in a raised bed or a spot with at least 12 inches of well-draining amended soil
3.Water to 1–1.5 inches per week and stop supplemental irrigation during rainy stretches

White powdery coating on leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-summer on older interior leaves

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — favored by warm days, cool nights, and stagnant air around dense foliage
Planting too close — lovage needs 18–24 inches between plants; tighter spacing traps humidity against the stems

What to Do

1.Thin or prune interior stems to open up the canopy and let air move through
2.Remove and bag (don't compost) affected leaves; the spores spread easily
3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per gallon of water with a few drops of dish soap) every 7–10 days until symptoms stop spreading

Stippled, bronzed leaves with fine webbing on the undersides, usually during dry stretches in late summer

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — they thrive when humidity drops and plants are drought-stressed
Dry spells that weaken the plant before mite populations build to damaging levels

What to Do

1.Knock mites off with a strong stream of water from a hose — do this in the morning so leaves dry before evening
2.Keep soil consistently moist at 1–1.5 inches per week; spider mites accelerate fast on plants that are already struggling
3.If the infestation is heavy, spray with insecticidal soap, hitting the undersides of leaves where mites actually feed

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does lovage take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Lovage reaches harvestable size within 90 days of transplanting seedlings to the garden. However, starting from seed indoors takes an additional 6–8 weeks before transplanting. Sow seeds indoors in late winter, and you'll harvest tender shoots by late spring. First-year plants yield modestly; productivity increases significantly in year two and beyond as the root system matures.

Can you grow lovage in containers or pots?▼

Yes, lovage grows well in containers 12+ inches deep with drainage holes. Use quality potting soil, water consistently, and fertilize every 4 weeks. Container-grown lovage is more compact than garden plants and easier to move to sheltered locations for winter protection in harsh climates. Containers dry faster than garden soil, so monitor moisture carefully and water when the top inch feels dry.

What does lovage taste like compared to celery?▼

Lovage is bolder and more aromatic than celery, with distinct anise, parsley, and yeast-like undertones. Young leaves and tender stems deliver the cleanest flavor—bright, herbaceous, and slightly peppery. Mature leaves become more intense and can taste bitter or soapy to some palates. Use lovage sparingly as a seasoning; a small amount flavors an entire pot of soup or stock without overpowering other ingredients.

Is lovage frost-hardy and can it overwinter in cold climates?▼

Yes, lovage is cold-hardy to USDA zone 3 and overwinters reliably without protection in most regions. Foliage dies back completely in fall and winter, but the root system survives underground. In spring, new shoots emerge from the crown. In zones 1–2, mulch with 3–4 inches of straw in late fall for extra insulation, though even here, established plants often survive harsh winters.

How do you harvest lovage without killing the plant?▼

Harvest selectively from the outer stems and leaves, removing no more than one-third of the plant at a time. Pinch or snip young stems 6–8 inches long at any point along their length—the plant branches from the cut site and regrows vigorously. Avoid harvesting the central growing crown. With this gentle approach, a single mature plant yields harvests every 3–4 weeks throughout the growing season.

Why is lovage called a spring tonic, and how is it traditionally used?▼

In European herbalism, lovage is considered a 'spring tonic' because it's mineral-rich, arrives early in the season after winter, and was traditionally believed to cleanse and revitalize the body. Young leaves are steeped in salads, soups, and broths in spring. Some gardeners make a light tea from fresh leaves and roots. While scientific evidence for its cleansing properties is limited, its nutritional profile (iron, potassium, vitamins) and digestive bitters justify its reputation in traditional cuisine.