Lovage Root Cutting

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a perennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family, the same family as parsley and dill. Originating in the Mediterranean region, it’s now cultivated globally.

Appearance: Lovage grows tall, typically reaching up to 2 meters in height. It has large, dark green leaves similar to celery in appearance, and during late spring to mid-summer, it produces small yellow-green flowers arranged in umbels.

Flavour and Use: The leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of lovage are all edible. The flavour is similar to celery but stronger, with a slightly bitter, aromatic quality. It’s used in soups, stews, salads, and to flavor stocks or broths. The seeds can be used as a spice.

Cultivation: Lovage prefers rich, moist, but well-drained soil and does well in full sun to partial shade. It’s a hardy plant and can be grown in herb gardens, as it returns each spring with minimal maintenance.

Historical and Medicinal Uses: Historically, lovage was used for its medicinal properties, which included aiding digestion and acting as a diuretic. Its leaves were also used in baths for their fragrance and soothing properties.

Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested as soon as they are big enough to use. It’s best to harvest them before the plant flowers for the best flavour. Seeds and roots are also harvested for culinary and medicinal uses.

Lovage, with its robust flavor and ease of growth, is a versatile and underappreciated herb in modern kitchens but has been valued for centuries in traditional cooking and herbal medicine.

NOTE: I can supply roots or plants if needed. Please see the ways to propagate Lovage below:

Seed Propagation: You can allow some of the flowers to develop into seeds and then collect these seeds to grow new plants. Plant the seeds in the following spring. Lovage seeds can have a low germination rate, so planting extra is advisable.

Division: Lovage can also be propagated by dividing the roots. This is typically done in the spring or autumn. To divide lovage, dig up an established plant, gently separate the roots into smaller sections, and replant these sections. Each section should have a part of the root system and some shoots. Division is a quicker way to get a sizable plant compared to growing from seed. $6.00 per division.

Root Cuttings: Another method is taking root cuttings in early spring or late autumn. Cut a portion of the root and plant it in moist soil. This method can be effective, as lovage has a strong and spreading root system. $6.00 per root.