Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, lovage is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing lovage.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Lovage Belong To?
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) belongs to the Apiaceae family, also known as the carrot family.
Some of its relatives include celery, fennel, and cilantro.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Lovage?
The minimum container depth recommended for lovage is 10 inches.
However, its taproot can grow up to 3 feet long. A longer root means that more nutrients can be taken in, resulting in a bigger plant. So planting lovage in a larger container will result in a larger plant.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Lovage?
Some of lovage's best companions are as follows:
- Marshmallow
- Watercress
- Asparagus
- Beet
- Bok choy, radish, and other Brassicas
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Leek
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Peas
- Potato
- Squash
- Tomato
- Zucchini
- Hyssop
- Catmint
- Catnip
- Jerusalem artichoke
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Lovage?
Lovage is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with lovage are as follows:
- Celery
- Rhubarb
What Soil Conditions Does Lovage Need?
Lovage prefers moderately rich, sandy to loamy soil with a pH of 6.5. The soil should be kept consistently moist, but it should still be relatively well-draining. Lovage does not like standing water or "wet feet."
How Long Does Lovage Take to Germinate?
Lovage takes 1-3 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 65-80°F.
How Much Sun Does Lovage Need?
Lovage can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
If growing lovage in part shade, plant it where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and lovage grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Lovage Need?
Lovage needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. It is best not to let its soil dry out, as it likes consistently moist soil.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Lovage?
Lovage grows fastest in temperatures of 55-70°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.
How Tall Does Lovage Get?
The average height of lovage is 4-7 feet.
Is Lovage Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Lovage is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Lovage Reproduce?
Lovage reproduces by seed or root division.
How Much Lovage is Produced Per Plant?
For lovage, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most lovage plants produce at least 20 leaves per stalk. The number of stalks depends on the age and size of the plant.
Can Lovage Be Ingested?
Lovage leaves, stems, and roots are edible.
Lovage leaves, stems, and roots have anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 50% alcohol is suggested for a lovage root tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting lovage leaves, stems, or roots.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of lovage rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for lovage here!
Lovage is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: