Levisticum officinale
Lovage, mountain celery, perennial celery, Maggi herb: that last nickname says it all. A single crushed leaf releases an aroma so similar to that of the famous liquid seasoning that you recognize it immediately—even though the brand has never contained any. A powerful, perennial and virtually indestructible herb.
Characteristics:
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Very powerful aroma: similar to celery but much more intense, so use sparingly.
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Large perennial: up to 2 meters in full bloom, it returns every spring for years.
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Entirely edible: leaves, stems, seeds and even the roots.
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Self-seeds easily: once established, it perpetuates itself.
Sowing advice:
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Exposure: full sun to partial shade; partial shade suits it well in hot regions.
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Soil: deep, rich, moist and well-drained. This is a nutrient-hungry plant that benefits from added compost and soil that does not dry out in summer. Since its root grows deep, work the soil deeply before sowing.
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Method: its seeds quickly lose their germination capacity, so sow them fresh. Sow in spring or late summer, on the surface or barely covered: they need light. A period of cold improves the uniformity of germination. See how to sow your seeds.
Planting advice:
- Allow plenty of space: a mature plant easily occupies 1 meter in diameter and exceeds 1.50 m when flowering. Plant it at the back of an herb bed, where it will not shade smaller plants.
Care advice:
- Water during dry periods and mulch. Cut back the dry stems at the end of winter.
- Tip: cut off the flower stalks as soon as they appear if you want to prioritize the production of tender leaves.
Harvesting advice:
- Pick the young leaves as needed, from spring through autumn. They freeze very well and can also be dried while retaining most of their aroma.
Beneficial combinations:
Benefits for biodiversity:
- Its broad yellow umbels are genuine landing platforms for hoverflies, beneficial insects whose larvae devour aphids—letting a lovage plant flower is like installing a refueling station for them.
- Like all umbellifers, it is a host plant for swallowtail caterpillars.
Uses:
- Leaves and stems in soups, broths, stews and salads; seeds as a seasoning; root as a vegetable. Since its aroma is very powerful, start with small quantities. See our edible perennial plants.
Harvesting your own seeds:
Let one umbel ripen fully and harvest the seeds as soon as they turn brown. Sow them quickly, as their germination capacity barely lasts a season. Lovage also readily self-seeds. See how to store your seeds.
Commitment to Quality: at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Volcanoes of Auvergne, we choose open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties, test them for germination rates, and carefully sort and package them without any chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to sow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
One plant is all it takes to flavor all your broths for years.
