Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a hardy perennial herb which looks and tastes a little like celery. It grows quite tall (1-2 metres/3-7 feet) and all of it is quite enchanting from leaves and flowers, to its stem. Its leaves, stems, and seeds can all be used in cooking and can substitute for celery, making it a good all-purpose herb to have growing in the garden. Apart from tropical climates, it will grow in most other climates quite easily.
1Purchase or obtain lovage seeds. Alternatively, purchase lovage seedlings from your local nursery.
- Roots can be divided for propagation after two seasons of growth. This can be done in autumn/fall or spring.
2Choose a suitable area in the garden for planting. Lovage likes full sun or semi-shade. The soil should be moist, rich, and well drained. Lovage requires an alkaline soil.
3Sow seeds directly into the garden or place seedlings into the soil. Thin or keep seedlings apart at about a distance of 30cm (12").
4Keep the soil moist. Water lovage well, especially during hot, dry months.
5Fertilize. It is sufficient to fertilize lovage once every spring using a complete plant food.
6Prune. The plant can be pruned to make it more bushy; prune off the flowers in summer.
- One good-sized lovage leaf will replace one stem of celery in any recipe.
- Lovage can be added to soups, court bouillon, and stocks to impart a celery flavour.
Things You'll Need
- Lovage seeds or seedlings
- Digging equipment
Sources and Citations
- Murdoch Books, Growing Herbs, p. 220, (2006), ISBN 978-1-74045-870-2 – research source