90days to harvest
7-14 daysdays to germinate
Z4–9USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost; scatter seeds on moist soil and press gently (seeds require light to germinate). Harden off seedlings and transplant after last frost.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
Regular; consistent moisture of 1-1.5 inches weekly, avoid waterlogging
Soil
Moist, well-draining loam rich in organic matter
Spacing
18-24 inches
Height
3-6 feet
Season
Perennial

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Green
Shape
Deeply divided, celery-like foliage; thick, smooth, hollow stems
Flavour
Celery-forward with distinct anise, parsley, and faint yeast undertones; young leaves and stems are bright and herbaceous; mature foliage becomes more intense and slightly bitter.

In the kitchen

Spring tonic salads, potato dishes, rice dishes, soups, poultry preparations, herb broths, stock flavoring, tea infusions from leaves and roots

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Rarely troubled by pests; occasional spider mites or aphids in dry conditions
Diseases
Root rot in waterlogged soil; powdery mildew in poor air circulation; generally disease-resistant when grown in well-draining soil

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
3April – MayJune – July—July – October
4March – AprilJune – July—July – October
5March – AprilMay – June—June – October
6March – AprilMay – June—June – November
7February – MarchApril – June—June – November
8February – MarchApril – May—May – December
9January – FebruaryMarch – April—April – December
10JanuaryFebruary – April—April – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

TomatoesLovage repels pests like aphids and tomato hornworms while improving tomato flavor
BeansBeans fix nitrogen in soil which benefits the heavy-feeding lovage plant
CarrotsLovage improves carrot flavor and repels carrot flies with its strong scent
CabbageLovage deters cabbage worms and other brassica pests
OnionsBoth plants repel each other's pests and onions help deter slugs from lovage
RosesLovage repels aphids and other rose pests while attracting beneficial insects
PeppersLovage provides natural pest control for aphids and improves pepper growth
StrawberriesLovage repels harmful insects and may enhance strawberry flavor

Avoid

FennelInhibits growth of lovage and most garden plants through allelopathic compounds
Black WalnutProduces juglone which is toxic to lovage and inhibits its growth
SageCompetes aggressively for nutrients and may stunt lovage growth when planted too close

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
23
Protein (g)
3.15
Fat (g)
0.64
Carbohydrate (g)
2.65
Fibre (g)
1.6
Sugars (g)
0.3
Vitamin A (µg)
264
Vitamin C (mg)
18
Vitamin E (mg)
0.8
Vitamin K (µg)
415
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.155
Folate (µg)
68
Calcium (mg)
177
Iron (mg)
3.17
Magnesium (mg)
64
Phosphorus (mg)
56
Potassium (mg)
295
Zinc (mg)
0.81
Selenium (µg)
0.3

Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the herbs growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Lovage?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Similar varieties

Other herbs with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Lovage suits these too.

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