About
Levisticum officinale, lovage, is a robust, hairless, celery-scented perennial to 2 m and 1 m wide with erect stems bearing mid- to dark-green, two- to three-pinnate leaves and yellow-green flowers in large umbels in summer, followed by aromatic seeds. One of the most useful culinary herbs for a sheltered, moist border or kitchen garden, with all parts edible and strongly flavoured.
About the genus
Levisticum are tall, upright perennials with pinnately divided, strongly celery-scented leaves and small, greenish-yellow flowers in large umbels in summer. Grown as culinary and medicinal herbs in sheltered, moist borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Chalk, Clay, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbs - Culinary, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toE Mediterranean
FragranceFoliage, Fruit
Care notes
CultivationWill tolerate most soils but prefers, deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. See lovage cultivation for more advice
PruningCut back old foliage in autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed or division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails and celery leaf miner
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to celery leaf spot