How to grow Lovage

Levisticum officinale

🌿 Herb 🔁 Perennial

A big, hardy perennial whose leaves taste like strong celery — a few leaves transform soups and stocks.

At a glance: Sow early March to early April, harvest from late May.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early March – early April · 6 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost on a warm windowsill or in a propagator.
10–20 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid March – late March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 10–20 days. Keep the compost moist. If sown outdoors, thin to 60 cm apart.
14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late March – early April
Pot On Seedlings
Move small clumps of seedlings into 9 cm pots (herbs are happy grown in little clumps).
Early April · 10 days before the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for a week before planting out.
Mid April – mid May · around the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant 60 cm apart in a sunny bed or a pot near the kitchen door. Water in.
70–91 days after “Check Germination” · Late May – mid June
Start Harvesting
Pick young leaves; the flavour is strong, so a few go a long way.

March
Spring Mulch
Mulch with compost as new shoots appear.
June
Cut Back for Fresh Leaves
Cut some stems to the ground in midsummer — fresh, tender leaves regrow quickly.
November
Cut Down for Winter
Cut dead stems down to the ground.