Lovage is a tall, architectural herb with deeply divided green leaves and a rich flavour often compared to celery with hints of parsley. Both the leaves and stems can be used in cooking, while the attractive umbels of yellow-green flowers add ornamental value and attract beneficial insects. Easy to grow and returning year after year, lovage makes a fantastic addition to kitchen gardens, herb borders, and wildlife-friendly planting schemes.
Lovage, prized for its culinary uses and impressive stature, is one of the oldest cultivated herbs in Europe. Growing into a substantial clump over time, it provides a reliable harvest of aromatic foliage from spring until autumn. Its robust nature and ability to thrive in the British climate make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to grow their own herbs.
Perennial Herb
Edible, Culinary Herb, Architectural, Pollinator Friendly
Flowers: June to August
Foliage: March to October
Scientific Name
Levisticum officinale (official medicinal lovage)
Common Name
Lovage
Origin
Native to the eastern Mediterranean region and parts of western Asia. It has been cultivated throughout Europe for centuries for both culinary and traditional herbal uses.
Pruning Tips
Harvest leaves regularly throughout the growing season to encourage fresh growth. Remove flower stems if you wish to maximise leaf production, or allow them to develop for wildlife value and ornamental interest. Cut old stems back to ground level in late autumn after foliage dies back.
Wildlife Value
The umbrella-shaped flower heads attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and other beneficial insects. It is particularly valuable in wildlife-friendly kitchen gardens.
Positioning
Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Ideal for herb gardens, kitchen gardens, wildlife borders, and mixed perennial beds. Allow sufficient space, as mature plants can reach up to 1.5 to 2 metres in height.
Water
Keep soil consistently moist during dry weather, particularly while plants are establishing. Established plants are relatively tolerant of short dry spells but produce the best foliage when kept evenly watered.
Soil
Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Performs best in rich garden soil with good moisture retention.
Food
Apply a mulch of garden compost or well-rotted organic matter in spring. Additional feeding is rarely necessary in fertile soils.
Pet-safe
Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs. As with any herb, consumption in large quantities should be discouraged.
Sprouts Top Tips
Plant lovage towards the back of a border or herb garden where its impressive height can be appreciated. A single mature plant can provide more than enough foliage for most households.
Did You Know?
Lovage was highly valued in medieval monastery gardens and was often grown for both cooking and traditional herbal remedies. Every part of the plant is aromatic, including the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds, all of which have been used in various culinary traditions throughout Europe.
