Skip to content
SeedStepsYour vegetable garden, one step at a time.
My garden
Colour, scent and harvest

Lovage: varieties, growing and uses

Lovage is a herb with the presence of a border perennial. One established plant can be enough for a household; its flavour is so strong that you do not need a whole row. Give it room and take a close look at the young spring tips.

Add to my gardenSave for free in your own garden account.
Discover varieties and growth habits ↓
AI illustration of the described characteristics of Common lovage
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

Use
Strongly celery-like, also known as maggi plant. Start with little leaf: the name is a flavour comparison, not an indication that the plant is a ready-made stock mixture.
Care
Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, sun to light shade. A mature plant needs plenty of space; a pot must be large and deep.
Harvest and flowering
Take young leaves from an established plant. Let seedlings grow first; harvest seed-grown plants only lightly once sufficiently established.
Choose what suits your garden

Discover varieties and growth habits

AI illustration of the described characteristics of Common lovage
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

Crop type

Common lovage

Levisticum officinale: one true species, no invented cultivar range.

Use: Strongly celery-like at species level.

Flavour of the species; a separate flavour profile for this variety has not yet been confirmed.View growing and harvesting →Place in my garden
Inspiration for your space

Choose your way to grow

AI growing illustration: Lovage · A perennial at the back of the herb bed
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

A perennial at the back of the herb bed
AI growing illustration: Lovage · A large deep container
AI illustration

This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.

A large deep container

A perennial at the back of the herb bed

Lovage is a herb with the presence of a border perennial. One established plant can be enough for a household; its flavour is so strong that you do not need a whole row. Give it room and take a close look at the young spring tips.

  1. Choose a spacious, moisture-retentive but free-draining position with access to the plant base.
  2. Plant young lovage and water to establish the roots.
  3. Harvest a few young leaves first and build use gradually.
  4. Decide whether flower stems may remain for seed or should be removed for further leaf harvesting.

For an identifiable harvesting spot with enough room for this growth habit.

A large deep container

Put lovage where bases remain accessible. Impressive mature plants behind dense beds are hard to harvest. Compare two cups of identical vegetable soup, one plain and one with a tiny chopped leaf. Learn your plant's aromatic contribution.

  1. Choose a large, deep container with clear drainage holes.
  2. Plant at the same depth and position the container with safe room for tall growth.
  3. Check the rootball regularly, as abundant pot-grown foliage quickly needs water.
  4. Cut small quantities of leaves and clear genuinely dead material after the season.

For a second growing position where you can compare shape, scent or harvesting rhythm.

How to create your own herb-growing space

This article deliberately chooses one botanical plant. RHS describes lovage as one common species; three cosmetic sales names would misrepresent the range. Inspiration lies in use and growing: substantial plants behind moist herb beds or young ones in huge kitchen tubs.

Choose a suitable growing position

Put lovage where bases remain accessible. Impressive mature plants behind dense beds are hard to harvest. Compare two cups of identical vegetable soup, one plain and one with a tiny chopped leaf. Learn your plant's aromatic contribution.

From plant to kitchen

If space permits, reserve part of the plant for flowering. Umbels differ from young leaf harvests and can eventually give seed. Decide which matters most: removing every flower stem cannot coincide with expecting seed.

Plan the next harvest

Small seedlings are not established supply plants. Let roots and strong bases develop; compare with older purchased plants if available. Record tub watering too: much foliage over little compost needs attention. Check roots first if leaves wilt.

Scent, flavour and use

Strongly celery-like, also known as maggi plant. Start with little leaf: the name is a flavour comparison, not an indication that the plant is a ready-made stock mixture.

Care, cutting and harvesting

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, sun to light shade. A mature plant needs plenty of space; a pot must be large and deep.

Remove flower stalks for a longer leaf harvest if seed is not the aim. Cut back dead top growth in autumn.

Take young leaves from an established plant. Let seedlings grow first; harvest seed-grown plants only lightly once sufficiently established.

Cutting, caring and following the season

Remove flower stalks for a longer leaf harvest if seed is not the aim. Cut back dead top growth in autumn.

Species information and annual cycle
Space
Recommended spacing is missing. Check the plant label or seed packet; unknown space does not count as free space.
Soil
No pH range supported by sources is included. Test your soil and follow species and variety guidance.
Season
An indicative growth estimate is included; actual development still needs checking.
Care
Guide advice is available; the automatic species task matrix is not yet complete. Check the plant regularly and plan a task yourself if needed.
Growing source 1
Ready to begin

What you need

Tick what you already have. The extras depend on how you grow.

0 of 6 ticked off

The basics
For care and harvesting

Your ticks are saved in this browser.

Make it your garden

Save your favourite variety or add it to My garden. Your own observations determine the growth stage; care tasks are based on the species.

Add Lovage to my gardenExplore more herbs
Sources and image information

SeedSteps editorial team · checked on 13 October 2026. Flavour descriptions come from the listed sources; ripeness and growing conditions affect flavour. AI images illustrate described characteristics and do not prove cultivar identity.

  1. World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · 2026-10-07
  2. Herbs – Real Life, Good FoodUniversity of Minnesota Extension · 2026-10-13
  3. Growing herbs in home gardensUniversity of Minnesota Extension · 2026-10-13
  4. How to grow lovageRoyal Horticultural Society · 2026-10-13