Lovage is one of the oldest culinary herbs and deserves a place in every kitchen garden. Producing lush green foliage with a rich celery-like flavour, it can be harvested repeatedly throughout the growing season.
 
Mature plants grow upto 2m tall and send up impressive flower stems topped with large umbels of yellow flowers, making it equally valuable as an ornamental plant and a magnet for pollinators.
 
Once established, lovage is incredibly productive, returning year after year with very little maintenance. The leaves, stems and seeds are all edible, making it a versatile addition to herb gardens, cottage gardens and edible landscapes.
 
When to Sow:
Feb–Apr (indoors)
Apr–Jun (direct sow)
 
HOW TO SOW LOVAGE:
 
Sow Indoors
Sow into moist, free-draining compost and lightly cover with approximately 5mm of compost. Keep at 15–20°C until germination. Pot on individually once seedlings are large enough to handle before planting outside after the last frost.
 
Sow Direct
Sow into a prepared bed once the soil has warmed in spring. Sow thinly, cover lightly and keep the soil moist during germination. Thin seedlings to their final spacing.
 
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Easy to Grow
Germination Time: 2–4 Weeks
Site: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Type: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
Soil Acidity: All Types
Moisture: Moist but well-drained
 
Care: Water during prolonged dry spells while establishing. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth. Remove flower stems if growing primarily for foliage, or leave them for pollinators and seed.
Use: Kitchen Gardens, Herb Gardens, Edible Gardens, Pollinator Gardens
Harvesting: Pick young leaves from spring through autumn. Harvest stems before flowering for the best flavour. Collect ripe seed in late summer if required.
 
Days to Maturity: 90 Days (first leaf harvest)
Height: 150–200cm
Plant Spacing: 60–90cm