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Apiaceae
Lovage
Levisticum officinale
Love, strength, and domestic comfort.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Genus
- Levisticum
- Native to
- southern Europe, western Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 100–200 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- rich, moist, well-drained
- Water
- medium to high
- Hardiness
- 3–8
- Lifespan
- perennial; 8–12 years
Did you know
- Lovage tastes like intense celery and was the most popular soup herb in medieval European kitchens.
- The name 'lovage' derives from 'love-ache', where 'ache' was an old word for parsley-family herbs.
- A single plant can grow over 2 meters tall, making it the skyscraper of the herb garden.
- Medieval travelers placed lovage leaves in their shoes to soothe tired feet on long pilgrimages.
- Every part of the plant is edible — roots, stems, leaves, and seeds — each with a slightly different flavor.
Color meanings
Yellow
warmth and nourishment