Growing lovage

Growing lovage

Lovage– A renaissance

Lovage is an old traditional herb from southern Europe. It gradually spread throughout Europe as early monks carried it from place to place as one of their many medicinal herbs. It has also become naturalized in parts of the United States

Roots were used to fight disease

After the Reformation, many monks left, but their herbs remained and continued to grow in the towns and villages. The roots in particular have been used to cure many diseases. The leaves have also been used as a flavoring in cooking, a use that has seen a renaissance in modern times. All parts of the plant are strongly aromatic. Both the taste and aroma are reminiscent of celery.

Hardy perennial

Lovage is a perennial. New leaves grow every year, which later wither at the beginning of winter. It can grow very large very quickly, reaching 5 to 7 feet in height each year. The large, smooth, finely divided leaves have an attractive blue-green color. Lovage is a member of the Umbelliferae family, the carrot family, and has clusters of flat, yellowish-green flowers at the top of its grooved stems in summer.

Once used as a medicinal herb

The roots and seeds were once used in medicine. The roots were dug up in the spring and boiled, after which the water in which they were boiled was used for ailments such as kidney problems and constipation. It was believed that both the leaves and roots could relieve throat infections and persistent coughs.

Lovage in cooking

Lovage has a special taste and aroma. Many love it while others hate it. In any case, it should be used with discretion. Just a small leaf or piece of root can work wonders, but too much can ruin an entire dish. Lovage is often used in making bouillon cubes to add extra flavor. The leaves can be dried or frozen in winter and the roots last a long time in the refrigerator.

Indoor and outdoor cultivation

Lovage is best suited to growing outdoors, but can also be grown indoors annually and reseeded each year. Lovage can be grown as a potted plant in the window or on a balcony for the summer. Young plants reach a height of 16-20 inches, the leaves remain tender and the plant does not flower.

Increasing lovage

Sow seeds in pots with fertile soil and some sand in spring. At a temperature between 68 and 86°F, the first leaves should appear within 4 weeks. Cover the pots with glass or plastic and place them over a ground heat source if nighttime temperatures are below daytime temperatures. Keep the soil moist and move the pots to a cooler location once seedlings appear. Pot the seedlings into larger, deeper pots when they are large enough to handle. One to three plants should be enough to meet the needs of a typical household.

Outdoor plants tolerate frosts, die, and re-sprout in spring. Houseplants stay green until winter, when the leaves wither and reappear in spring. Or throw them away and grow them back every year.

Plant doctor

Lovage is rarely affected by insects or disease, possibly because of its strong aroma.

The larvae of the black vine weevil can settle in the roots and cause the plant to wither and die. Discard affected plants and sterilize or discard the soil.

If the leaves of Lovage wither at the edges, it may be because the soil has often become dry. Water regularly, especially in dry weather.

Buying Tips

Lovage seeds and plants are usually found for sale in nurseries. Seeds can also be purchased from seed catalogs.

Life:The lovage grown in the pot should be renewed every year. Garden plants will live and self-seed for several years.

Season:Spring to autumn. Dormant in winter.

Difficulty quotient:Simply.

Shortly

Size and growth rate

Lovage is a hardy perennial that can reach heights of 5 to 7 feet each year. It has large, divided leaves and grooved stems.

Flowers and scent

Flat yellowish-green flower clusters in summer. All parts of the plant are extremely aromatic, including the seeds.

Light and temperature

Lovage thrives in both sun and partial shade. It is not a difficult plant to grow and can survive frost. It naturally begins to wither in the fall and can adapt to fairly harsh conditions.

Watering and feeding

Potted plants should be watered regularly and thoroughly throughout the growing season and fed occasionally with a general fertilizer.

Soil and transplanting

Lovage is not fussy about the soil and thrives in any good garden soil or commercial potting soil. Prick seedlings sown indoors into larger pots to further develop them. Do not keep plants in containers for more than two years, they will grow too large and dominate. Garden plants can grow for several years.

Care

None except for collection and use in cooking.

Spread

It is easy to divide older garden plants, but this is not recommended for potted plants as they tend to become too rough. Grow container plants from seeds.

Vicinity

Very decorative in a kitchen window along with other potted herbs.