Lovage

Scientific Name: Levisticum officinale

Common Name: Lovage

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Height: 90–120 cm (36–48 inches)

Width: 60–90 cm (24–36 inches)

Spacing: 45 cm (18 inches)

Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Flavour: Strong, celery-like flavor with a hint of anise

Use: Culinary (soups, stews, salads, sauces, and stocks), medicinal

Plant Habit: Upright, bushy, with tall stems and large, glossy green leaves

Harvest: Harvest leaves and stems throughout the growing season; flowers can be harvested once they bloom for use in teas or as a garnish

Companion Plants: Tomatoes, cabbage, and other herbs like parsley and thyme

General Information: Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perennial herb known for its strong, celery-like flavor with a hint of anise. It has large, glossy green leaves and grows upright in a bushy form. Often used in soups, stews, and stocks, it adds a bold and savory taste. In addition to culinary use, lovage has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, including digestive support. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can grow quite tall, making it a great addition to the back of herb gardens or as a border plant. The flowers are also attractive to pollinators.