Lovage Seeds

Grow lovage for its strong, celery-like flavor that adds depth to soups, stews, and sauces, as well as its perennial, easy-to-grow nature. The plant serves as an excellent celery substitute, offers aesthetic appeal with lush foliage and beneficial white flowers, and attracts pollinators. Furthermore, its roots and seeds are traditionally used as digestive aids and diuretics, providing a functional herbal remedy alongside its culinary uses.

Lovage is a terrific culinary herb and has a light, savory flavor similar to a cross between celery and anise. The leaves, stems and seeds of this plant are all edible. Leaves can be added directly to stews and soups, while stems can be blanched like vegetables or cut to create hollow natural straws which are perfect for savory drinks like Bloody Marys. The seeds can be ground into a great natural salt substitute.

Useful gardening information

If your growing season is long, start the seeds directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. For cooler climates with shorter growing season, start the herb seeds indoors 6 weeks before the end of frost season. Harden the seedlings off and transplant them to the herb garden after frosts have passed. To help the plants establish well, keep them well watered the first season, and use a balanced fertilizer a couple of times. The plants will only reach 24 inches the first year, but the leaves can be used when it reaches 12 inches in height.

Links to useful information on the web:

Lovage: A big plant with big flavor

Lovage recipes

HR172 Lovage ( Levisticum officinale )

A tall, hardy, and extremely productive perennial herb with a rich culinary history dating back centuries. Often described as tasting like a blend of celery, parsley, and a hint of anise, Lovage has long been treasured as a versatile kitchen herb and ornamental garden plant. Every part of the plant is useful, including the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots.

Growing into impressive clumps of lush green foliage, Lovage can reach 4 to 6 feet in height in favorable conditions, making it one of the largest herbs commonly grown in home gardens. Its bold architectural presence adds height and texture to herb gardens, edible landscapes, and cottage gardens while providing an abundant harvest throughout the growing season.

The flavorful leaves are widely used in soups, stews, broths, salads, vegetable dishes, sauces, and herbal seasonings. The hollow stems may be used much like celery, while the seeds are valued as a seasoning for breads, pickles, and spice blends. Historically, Lovage has also been cultivated in monastery gardens and traditional herb gardens throughout Europe.

During summer, mature plants produce large umbels of yellow-green flowers that attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. These blooms are followed by aromatic seeds that can be harvested for culinary use or future planting.

Uses and Benefits

Bold celery-like flavor with hints of parsley and anise.
Leaves, stems, seeds, and roots are all useful.
Excellent for soups, stews, broths, and sauces.
Produces abundant harvests year after year.
Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Beautiful architectural plant in herb gardens.
Traditional herb with centuries of culinary use.
Excellent companion plant for edible landscapes.
Produces aromatic seeds for seasoning.
Cold hardy perennial.
Suitable for large containers.
Low maintenance once established.

Hardiness Zones

Lovage is a hardy perennial in USDA Zones 4-8.

Germination Instructions

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or sow outdoors in early spring.
Fresh seed generally germinates best.
Sow seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep.
Maintain temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
Keep soil evenly moist during germination.
Seeds typically germinate in 14-28 days.
Provide bright light after seedlings emerge.
Transplant carefully to avoid disturbing roots.

Growing Tips

Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Prefers rich, fertile, well-drained soil.
Water regularly during dry periods.
Harvest leaves throughout the growing season.
Allow some flower stalks to mature for seed production and pollinator support.
Divide mature plants every few years to maintain vigor.
Excellent near vegetable gardens and kitchen gardens.

Container Growing

Lovage can be grown successfully in containers, but because of its eventual size and deep root system, a large container is recommended. Choose a pot at least 14-18 inches deep and equally wide. Large containers help support vigorous growth and provide ample room for root development. Container-grown plants are ideal for patios, decks, and kitchen gardens where fresh herbs can be harvested conveniently.

Combining outstanding culinary value, impressive size, pollinator appeal, and remarkable productivity, Lovage is one of the most rewarding perennial herbs available. A single mature plant can provide years of harvests, making it a favorite among cooks, homesteaders, and herb gardening enthusiasts.

All seed packets listed on this page are in stock and ready to ship.