General
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a vigorous, long-lived perennial herb with a bold celery-like, slightly spicy flavor. It forms a tall clump of hollow stems and glossy, aromatic leaves, and produces large umbels of yellow-green flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators. Leaves and stems are harvested fresh for soups, stocks, and salads; seeds and roots are also edible. It is very winter-hardy and reliable across most of Sweden, returning each spring. In fertile, moist soil it can reach 150–250 cm. Allow space and consider staking in windy sites.
Light
Full sun to partial shade; 5–8 hours of sun is ideal. Tolerates light shade in hot or dry sites.
Soil type
Deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained loam enriched with compost. Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
Water requirement
Moderate and even moisture; do not let the soil dry out completely. Mulch to conserve water.
Nutrient requirement
Moderate to high. Feed with compost in spring and a light organic boost mid-season if harvesting heavily.
Precultivation
Use fresh seed for best germination. Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in trays or modules 6–8 weeks before last frost. Keep at 15–20°C with steady moisture (not waterlogged). Germination usually takes 10–21 days. Prick out into 9 cm pots once true leaves appear. Harden off for 7–10 days before planting out. Cold stratification is not essential but can help older seed (2–3 weeks in the fridge on moist paper).
Planting
Plant out after danger of hard frost when days are consistently above ~8–10°C. Spacing: 60–90 cm between plants; 90–120 cm between rows or other tall crops. Work in 3–5 L of mature compost per m² and some rock dust or wood ash if soil is acidic. Water in well and mulch 5–8 cm with leaves, straw, or composted bark. In containers, choose at least 40–50 L volume with rich mix and regular watering.
Pruning
For continuous leafy growth, remove emerging flower stalks in early summer. Cut plants to the ground after frost blackens foliage or in late autumn. Divide clumps every 4–5 years in early spring to rejuvenate and propagate. If seed is desired, allow a few umbels to mature and bag them to catch ripening seed.
Maintenance
Keep evenly moist with mulch. Feed in early spring with compost and, if needed, a light organic fertilizer mid-summer. Stake tall stems in exposed areas. Remove spent flower stalks to prevent self-seeding if not wanted. Watch for nutrient excess—overly rich nitrogen can reduce flavor. Maintain an open canopy for airflow to limit mildew.
Harvest
Begin leaf harvest when plants are well established (often from May). Pick outer leaves/stems regularly; avoid stripping more than one-third at a time. Stems can be blanched and used like celery. Seeds ripen late summer—cut umbels when seeds turn brown and finish drying in paper bags. Roots can be lifted in late autumn of year 2–3, cleaned, and used as a vegetable or for seasoning.
Common issues
Slugs/snails on young plants—use beer traps, hand-pick at dusk, and maintain dry surface mulch. Aphids on stems/umbels—wash off with water or apply soft soap; encourage predators. Celery leaf miner and other Apiaceae pests—rotate away from carrots, parsley, dill. Powdery mildew in dry, stagnant conditions—improve watering regularity and airflow, remove affected leaves, apply bicarbonate spray if needed.
Pollination
Insect-pollinated (umbels attract many beneficials). Pollination is only relevant if saving seed.
Companion plants
Cabbage family, lettuce, potatoes, leeks, onions. Its height can provide light windbreak and attracts beneficial insects.
Incompatible plants
Avoid crowding sun-loving dwarfs and other Apiaceae (carrot, dill, parsley, celery) due to shared pests/diseases and competition.
