Levisticum officinale
There are a few plants out there that do n’t have broad popularity and I just ca n’t understand why . Number one on that leaning is lovage .
What ’s not to love about Levisticum officinale ?
The entire plant is edible , from root to crest , and it has a brilliant , fresh flavor that tastes a act like citrusy celery .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
It ’s also hardy , fuss - free , and reseeds readily without becoming invasive .
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It does n’t just make for good eating , either .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
The dark green , frilly exit make an impressive viewing in the garden on plants that can strive six feet tall at maturity . The bright yellow flowers are marvelously fragrant in July .
It ’s purport to have some powerful medicative qualities , as well .
Perhaps that’swhy the Romansthought lovage was of import enough that they brought it with them on their conquest of Britain , and European colonist did n’t want to leave it behind when they traveled to the New World .
Charlemagne announce that it should be grown in every Imperial garden , and Queen Victoria used to bear Levisticum officinale confect around with her .
It ’s a mystery to me why it fell out of favor .
jubilantly , Levisticum officinaleis eventually get to get more modern - day acknowledgement in dwelling garden and fine restaurants .
Are you quick to make this plant a part of your lifespan ? Then keep reading .
Here ’s what ’s onward in this get guide :
What You’ll Learn
What Is Lovage?
Levisticum officinale is a member of theApiaceae , or Umbelliferae menage , and it taste and looks a mass like cultivated celery . It ’s sometimes call smellage or maggi plant . In Italy it is often referred to assedano di monte , or heap celery .
This herb is native to western Asia , parts of the Middle East , and the Mediterranean region . It has been crop around the globe for centuries , and has naturalized in some area of North America and most of Europe .
The English common name “ lovage ” arrive from the Middle English parole “ lovache , ” or “ loveache . ”Levisticumis descend from the Latin wordligusticum , which in turn is infer fromligusticus – intend “ Ligurian ” – from the Liguria region of northwest Italy where this plant was extensively naturalise .
Packed with vitamin speed of light and various group B - complex vitamins , it also comprise quercetin , a industrial plant pigment with anti - inflammatory and anti - oxidant property .
L. officinaleis the definition of a fuss - innocent works . It call for minimum care and it will reseed itself readily , so you wo n’t have to replant it over and over .
The plants can grow up to six invertebrate foot tall , with a 32 - inch cattle ranch , so they make stately specimens in the garden . Lovage is suitable for gardeners inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 - 9 , and it prefers a coolheaded climate to a hot one .
The recurrent plants die back to the background and go sleeping during the winter , and reemerge in the spring . They grow quickly , so you could expect your first harvest within a few months of planting .
The leafage look a bit like flat leaf Petroselinum crispum , with a dark-skinned to medium green color and a sheeny texture .
The plant bring forth yellow flowers in umbrella - shaped umbels before setting seed in late summertime . The roots are greyish brown with cream interior .
When the plants first emerge from the territory , the theme have a reddish tone to them .
Ligusticum scotium , also known as Scottish lovage or Scots licorice root , is a less - common relative ofL. officinalethat looks similar , but with a bolder flavor .
It ’s aboriginal to the rough coasts of the United Kingdom and north into Denmark and Norway .
Medicinal Use
Medicinally , lovage has been usedas a diuretic , a stimulant , an anti - inflammatory , to regularise catamenial cycles , and as a treatment for thorniness .
It is often made into infusions , tincture , and all important oil , as well as lozenges and vinegar . It ’s also been used cosmetically , and a tincture or salve made from the leave can be applied to the skin to soothe rashes and psoriasis , and help to exonerate up acne .
Therehave been a few studiesthat sustenance the claim that lovage can act as a diuretic , antibacterial , and anti - inflammatory broker .
Because it appears to have some diuretic prop , anyone with heart or kidney trouble , or meaning or lactating woman , should n’t consume it . There ’s also some head about whether consuming the plant can raise blood atmospheric pressure by affect sodium levels in the body , so exercise caution .
It can also interact with diuretic medicine like Lasix and Diuril , causing individuals who take these to fall back too much body fluid , and it may interact with anticoagulant medication . Consult with your physician if you ’re on any of these medicament and design to impart lovage to your diet or herbal treatment design .
Consuming or using lovage on the pelt can sometimes cause photodermatitis , a circumstance that increases light sensitivity , resulting in an seditious skin condition .
A Note of Caution:
Levisticum officinale should not be take medicinally during maternity or those who take diuretics or other prescription medications . Always consult with a aesculapian professional or school herbalist before beginning any herbal handling . It is toxic to African tea , dogs , and horses .
Propagation
Levisticum officinale may be propagated by planting seeds or through tooth root division . Unfortunately , it ’s not always easy to find plants at your local baby’s room , though I ’ve had some portion now and then .
By Seed
Direct - sow Levisticum officinale seed outdoors once soil temperatures are above 60 ° fluorine . besprinkle the semen on prepared soil and lightly cover them with backbone .
instead , start seeds indoors5 - 6 week before the last frost . Place seeds on top of clean seed starting intermixture and enshroud light with Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin .
Maintain even moisture , but do n’t allow land to become waterlogged .
Keep in mind that save up seeds can stomach from low sprouting rate , and they can take up to 20 days to emerge . Only use unfermented seeds that are under a year old , as they do n’t stash away well .
Seedlings and Transplants
When your seedling have at least 2 set of true parting – or if you have purchased nursery commencement – and all risk of rime has passed , you may graft them into the garden .
Work in plenty of compost or well - rot manure to your land , and dig a gob the size of the root ball . Tamp the soil down and irrigate in well .
Root Division
you may also propagate Levisticum officinale through root word division . In the bound , after the plant has grow to about a base tall , excavate it up . To be sure that you ’re getting enough of the roots , dig down a animal foot deep and stab out as blanket as the plant ’s diadem .
Lovage has a large and vigorous root organization , with taproots up to 35 inch long .
While you do n’t need to dig up the entire thing , you do want to get enough of the rootage for the plant to thrive after it ’s replant . I ’ve had achiever so long as I ’m capable to keep at least half of the root word structure intact .
Shake off any excess soil and carefully separate the crown and roots into two sections , using a garden nigga , hori - hori knife , or a pair of trimmer .
Remove any dead roots or branch from the plant , and then replant one half back where it was . embed the other half in prepared soil in its fresh location .
How to Grow
industrial plant Levisticum officinale in a part to full Dominicus location . It does best in full Sunday , but it can stick out a few hours of tad during the twenty-four hours , particularly in quick growing zones .
The stain should be well - drain with a slightly acidic pH of around 6.5 . It prefers sandy , loamy dirt . Add plentifulness of constituent topic when planting – unlike other Mediterranean herbs , it likes deep earth .
Keep the soil moist to the signature at all fourth dimension , but not loaded . If the dirt dries out , the leaves be given to get bitter . Add an column inch or two ofleaf mold , peat moss , or grass clippingsas a mulchto help keep water supply .
Space plants 18 inches apart . They touch maturity 85 - 95 days after planting .
you may grow Levisticum officinale in container , but keep in thinker that with its large etymon scheme , you ’ll need a fairly large potty , at least 12 inch mystifying and broad .
I get around the trouble by growing Levisticum officinale in my potted Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree containers . That means , they have plenty of room , with the added bonus of catch a little shade in the heat of the day .
The plant themselves do n’t need protection from the sun , but I found that doing this when I live in a red-hot desert climate helped to keep the soil moist , so the flavor of the leaves did n’t change state bitter .
When I get despairing for the savor of lovage in the winter , I ’ll chronological sequence plant . bulge out seeds every few calendar week indoors in 8 - inch pots , and reap all the leaves when the works is about a calendar month old .
Lovage baffle too orotund to grow indoors for good , but it grows quickly enough that you could get a small-scale crop every few weeks by successiveness planting .
While you don’thaveto prune lovage , particularly if you ’re reap the leaves on a regular basis , it wo n’t hurt to trim large plants a bit to maintain the shape and sizing .
To do this , take somesharp prunersand edit the prow back to a spot just above a leaf node .
To keep the plant healthy , do n’t take more than half of the leaves at a fourth dimension .
If you are not harvesting regularly , you should clip once in the middle of the growing time of year to serve advertise air circulation and to remove any dead or discredited portions .
If the plant bolts and commence to develop a flower stalk , tailor this off unless you require the plant to bloom and put seed . Lovage tends to get scraggly look after it bolt , and the leaves can be unpleasantly blistering .
Companion plantL. officinalewith tubers like white potato . Also keep in mind that Levisticum officinale flush attractbeneficial epenthetic wasps and tachinid fliesto the garden , which may help you to battle caterpillars that damage crop .
Growing Tips
Where to Buy
If you want to get a leap start on the originate season , you could bribe seedlings to transfer into your garden .
Lovage 3 Seedlings
you could find a lot of 3 plantsavailable at Burpee .
Or , if you prefer to set forth your own plant from seeded player , you could buy a half - ounce packet or a one - pound bag of seedsfrom True Leaf Market .
Managing Pests and Disease
Lovage is generally fortunate to not be rile much by pests and disease . That does n’t mean it ’s immune , however . There are a few things to watch out for .
Insects
The main insect pests to be cognizant of are :
Aphids can attack lovage plants ( and a ton of other flora in the garden , as well ) . If you see flyspeck small green , brown , yellow , black , grey , or pink , soft - corporal , wingless insects on your plants , you may have an plague .
If you have ants on your Levisticum officinale plant , this can also be an index that you have aphids , because they like to crunch on the honeydew that aphids leave behind .
aphid absorb the juices out of plants , so you may see stunted , yellowing , curling , or misshapen leaves .
You may also see black mold that grows in the sugary honeydew melon . Even if they do n’t harm your plant life , they can spread disease , so you do n’t require them around .
The first line of attack is to regularly spray your works with ablast of water supply from the hoseto pink them wanton . After that , you could assay dusting your industrial plant withdiatomaceous earthto kill off any mill about aphid .
If thing are still looking bad and you ca n’t get rid of them , use neem petroleum or spray plants with a mix of 1 part dish soap to 5 parts water . Spray either neem petroleum or soapy pee every few days for 2 weeks .
See this guide to see aphids in your garden .
Leaf miners chew tunnels into the leaves of plants , and this can cause some serious harm . You ’ll know that you have them if you see revealing squiggly tunnels that look kind of like a labyrinth on your plant farewell .
The miners themselves are tiny little worms – the larva of little flies – and they are difficult to observe . So the practiced way to sleep together if you have this cuss is to reckon for the tunnels .
you may see to it leaf miners by spray neem fossil oil on plant get down in the early outpouring and continuing through summer .
you could also purchaseDiglyphus isaeawasps to battle leaf miner .
Diglyphus isaeaLive Beneficial Wasps
These beneficial insects areavailable from Arbico Organics .
I personally find the most effective method acting is to shell the leave along the miner lead between my finger , or to crop damaged leaves off of my plant and dispose of them .
If you resolve to go the pesticide itinerary , you ’ll involve to project out the right time to spray . Grab a few septic leaves and put them in a sealed , clean-cut travelling bag . Once the flies emerge , start spray your works every day for a calendar week .
expend a spinosad spray or a spraying that containsBacillus thuringiensis(Bt ) .
Keep in judgment that if you practice a chemical substance pesticide or neem oil , you risk killing off the beneficial bugs as well .
For more information , take our scout on leaf miner control .
The Petroselinum crispum worm , Papilio polyxenes , is a pest that eats plants in the parsley family , as its name imply .
This worm is the larvae of the beautiful swallowtail butterfly . The larvae are really passably attractive as far as pestilence go , with bright dark-green , yellowish , and fateful stripes along their two - inch - prospicient bodies .
You ’ll likely spot this colourful dirt ball before you start to notice the scathe to your plants , but keep an eye out for missing or nibble - on leaves and frass as well , indicators that you have an plague .
Parsley worms are n’t all bad .
The morning coat butterfly is a pollinator of aboriginal plants , and some peopleplant parsleyanddillto attract them . For this intellect , I advocate using conservative measure to get rid of the larvae .
Handpick any worms that you blemish and relocate them if you may , rather than dispose of them .
engraft a “ sand trap harvest ” – a fewdill plants , perhaps – for the larvae to feed on , and land the worms over to this plant when you see them on your food crops , is a workable root that will help to maintain pollinator populations .
Usefloating row coversin the late spring to prevent the grownup butterflies from shore on your plants and repose their testicle . If you really ca n’t fend having them on your plants , use a spray that containsBt .
The tarnished works bug , Lygus lineolaris , is an ugly little mallet ( if you inquire me ! ) with yellowish - dark-brown spots and black lines on its rachis and stage . They ’re about a 4th of an inch long as grownup , and have long legs and antennae .
Not only does it use its phonograph needle - like mouthparts to puncture plants , it circularise disease as well . If you have an infestation of this bug , your plant will likely have twist , yellow leaves and growth can be stunted . Plants may give way to form flowers , as well .
It ’s of import to keep weeds likegoldenrod , vetch , risky carrot , clover , and dock away from your Levisticum officinale , becausethey are master of ceremonies plants preferred by this insect .
Beyond that , you could cover plants with float row covers and place bloodless pasty traps around the garden two groundwork above the ground .
Disease
This herb is mostly untroubled by disease , but there are a yoke that can cause problems .
former blight is a fungal disease caused byAlternaria solani . If you see circular brown musca volitans on the leaves and halt of your plants , either with or without yellow glory around them , it could be early blight .
you may remove infected arm and spray plants with a pig - based fungicide to attempt to master it , but prevention is best .
To prevent this transmission , rotate crop regularly and give your plant plenty of blank . Prune them on a regular basis to amend atmosphere circulation . Also , be conservative about adding too much mulch to the soil , as this can induce it to become waterlogged .
Leaf slur may be cause by a miscellany of dissimilar types of bacteria and fungi . You ’ll eff you have it if you see fatal water - plume spot on leave .
entrust uncontrolled , the spots will merge together , and entire leaves can turn yellow and drop .
The pathogens that make leaf spot opt warm temperature and lots of moisture . jazz and water can transmit the bacteria and fungi between plants , and they can winter in garden rubble and dirt .
That ’s why it ’s significant to keep your garden clean . Rake up any plant debris , and bring a layer of mulch to prevent water from splash up onto your plant life . Water at the fundament of plants and avoid overhead irrigation .
There is no cure , but a mix of 1 part baking tonic , 3 parts veg fossil oil , and 1 part swimming easy lay , added to a gallon of weewee and sprayed on plants , can help to decelerate its procession .
Harvesting
In the first twelvemonth , only harvest the leave of absence of your plant . In the second year , you’re able to commence to glean the stalks and roots .
If you plan to harvest the entire plant , root and all , do it in October when the flora has get through its full sizing .
vernal will sample well . Harvest them in the sunrise , after the dew has dried . Take leaves from the exterior of the plant first . New growth will resprout from location where you reap .
Do n’t wash the leave until you ’re ready to expend them , as it can stimulate them to rot . impertinent foliage can be keep in the crisper draftsman of the refrigerator for up to a workweek .
harvest home seeds when the cum heads twist chocolate-brown . Snip off full heads and put them in a paper udder to dry out . Once they ’re ironical , undulate the seed heads in your work force to remove the chocolate-brown casings .
reap the roots by stab them up with a garden fork . Brush the dirt off , but do n’t wash them immediately . you may salt away them in the refrigerator for several weeks before using .
Preserving
you’re able to preserve Levisticum officinale roots by moisten the root , slice them thinly , and drying the pieces in a food dehydrator at its abject setting or in the oven for 6 to 8 60 minutes .
you could also dry the leave slowly at a low temperature scene , but they do n’t retain much of their flavor when dry out . If you do choose to desiccate the leaves , you’re able to comminute them for use as a powdery spice .
find oneself more info on drying fresh herbs here .
Preserve the leaves by suspend them . you’re able to do this by blanching them in simmering water for about 30 moment and then shock them in cold-blooded water to block the cookery cognitive operation .
drainage , and dry the leaves off on a newspaper towel then put down them on trays and put them in the freezer . After they have frozen , transfer the leaves to airtight freezer memory board bags .
The stems can be preserved by pickle .
Use a ratio of three part water to one part acetum , plus 1 tablespoonful of salt per cupful of acetum . Bring the miscellany to a boil , and agitate until the salt is dissolved . Remove from the hotness and allow the brine to chill .
Add a sliced eschalot , some pink pepper , or Apium graveolens dulce seeds . Fill a canning jar with the lovage stems , leaving an inch of room at the top . Fill the jar with brine mixture , covering the chaff . Refrigerate and apply within 2 months .
you may also chop up the stems and freeze them . They ’ll be good for up to six months .
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
When it occur to cooking , you’re able to employ the radical of 2 - year - former plants , as well as the leaves , stems , and advanced seed of the plant .
Levisticum officinale savour like cultivated celery , a bit sweet-smelling with a strong flavour . It has hint of anise and parsley , too . The leaves are a bit milder than the stems .
While lots of people advocate using it as a replacement for celery , I chance that this herb has a sapidity all its own . I ’ve even rule that Apium graveolens dulce - detest protagonist adore lovage . You involve to taste it to appreciate the unequalled look .
That said , you may use the root in any recipe where you would typically use celery or Apium graveolens dulce leaf .
you may use the stems in egg salad , potato salad , pasta salad , and omelets . you could even saute them in garlic as a vegetable side ravisher .
Keep in mind that they have a bold perceptiveness , so experiment to figure out your preference in term of how much to add .
you may even take your Bloody Marys up a notch and apply long , hollow Levisticum officinale staunch as straws .
The seeds and any oil pull out from them can be used to make liqueurs , flavored oils , and sweet-scented treat . you could also bake them into pelf as you would caraway cum .
I like to crush the seminal fluid and mix them with table salt to make a flavorer for veggies and meat .
undress and grate the etymon over salad or sandwiches , or cook them as you would salsify .
you could use the leaves to make a refreshing tea , or add them to salads . They also make an likeable pesto or vegetable dip .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Give Some Love to This Unusual Herb
I ’m a huge sports fan of Levisticum officinale , not just because of its unique flavor , but also because I ’m a mug for a flora that does n’t need incessant upkeep .
I also appreciate that it attracts some beneficial dirt ball , and I ’ve noticed that I battle fewer caterpillar problem in the field of my garden where I have lovage plants ( with the exclusion of the occasional visit from a parsley dirt ball ) .
Give this acrid herb a go . It ’s a treat that everyone should try at least once .
After you try out the sweet , aniseand cultivated celery - like spirit for the first time , I bet you ’ll have a yen for more . If so , give lovage a grow , and then add up back and tell apart me all the way you care to delight the harvest . I ’m always looking for new agency to add Levisticum officinale to my cooking .
If you are curious about add some other lesser - knownmedicinal herbsto the garden you ’ll need these guides next :
pic by Kristine Lofgren © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more inside information . in the beginning published September 6th , 2014 . Last update April 12th , 2023 . Product photos via Arbico Organics and Burpee . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
The staff at Gardener ’s Path are not medical professional and this article should not be construed as medical advice signify to value , diagnose , order , or forebode therapeutic . Gardener ’s Path and Ask the Experts , LLC assume no liability for the use or abuse of the stuff presented above . Always consult with a medical master before changing your diet or using plant - base remediation or supplements for health and health .
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Kristine Lofgren
