Lovage Levisticum officinale
Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Apiaceae family, native to Mountains of southern Europe and Iran region. It grows 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) tall and 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
Plan Lovage in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lovage at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: leaves, stems, seeds, roots |
| Native to | Mountains of southern Europe and Iran region |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Lovage toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, leaves
Contains furanocoumarins; sap on skin in sunlight may cause photodermatitis and large medicinal doses are avoided in pregnancy.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lovage
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Shared pests and diseases
- Carrot fly: Carrot fly also attacks parsnip, celery and parsley; mesh or barriers protect them all. Evidence B
Questions about Lovage
- How far apart should I plant Lovage?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1 m (31 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Lovage need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lovage need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Lovage?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Lovage flower?
- From about June for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lovage poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Contains furanocoumarins; sap on skin in sunlight may cause photodermatitis and large medicinal doses are avoided in pregnancy.
- What grows well with Lovage?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lovage. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Parsley Petroselinum crispum
- Celery Apium graveolens
- Coriander (cilantro) Coriandrum sativum
- Dill Anethum graveolens
- Parsnip Pastinaca sativa
- Celeriac Apium graveolens var. rapaceum
- Florence fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum