How to Grow Lovage From Seed (Easy Growers Guide)
Learning how to grow Lovage from seed in your home garden is fun and interesting.
Lovage plant, L. Levisticum, is a tall evergreen perennial plant, the only member of the genus Levismum in the Order Lamiaceae, subfamily Lamiideae, family Lamiaceae. It is widely cultivated all over Europe, where it has been cultivated since prehistoric times, although it has been used extensively in Asia.
It was first introduced to the New World, bringing with it many beneficial plant traits that have become standard in North American culinary herbs. The leaves are commonly used as an herb, both as an edible spice and for medicinal purposes, and the leaves themselves are also used in recipes as both a garnish and ground ingredient.
As a culinary herb, the Lovage plant is an old favorite. The culinary uses include salads, meats, vegetables, sauces, soups and stews, and even desserts like pie, custard, ice cream, sherbet, and sorbet. It is widely used as an ornamental plant and in decorating gardens. As an ornamental shrub, it has become somewhat less popular in gardens than it used to be.
Plants of this species, unlike most other herbs, are very slow-growing. They need a lot of space and soil to thrive. Even if you have the ideal conditions for a growing plant, like a full-sun, well-drained soil, and high humidity, they will still take a few years before you can reap the benefits.
The plants grow best when kept in pots that are at least two feet deep. If you are planning on growing a large collection of these plants, it is wise to consider purchasing several larger pots instead of one smaller pot, as they will not do well in small containers.
To ensure you have the best of both worlds, choose a container that allows the plant plenty of light. During the winter months, grow the Lovage plant outside if it’s possible, or keep the plants indoors during the summer months. You want the leaves to be exposed to the rays of the sun, but not directly under the heat.
Because the leaves of L. Levisticum grow from the stems of underground roots, it takes several years for the plants to reach their mature size and bloom. Although the flowers bloom and foliage of the plant change from season to season, you don’t want to cut down the flower shoots before the blooms emerge to avoid the growth of new shoots and new flowers.
The flowers on the Lovage plant are small, oval-shaped, and dark green. The flowers have a single white or purple bloom at the end, which is followed by a cluster of several black petals, and a spiny black berry-like fruit. The fruit is also called black currant or rue. The berries are large and dry; a mixture of juice from the fruit and water is often added to water.
Table of Contents
Get a Seed Starter Kit
Next, you will want to decide how many herbs you will be growing. The amount depends on the size of the herb garden. I find that the easiest way to do this is with a seed starter tray combined with a high quality seedling mix. Both these products are available on Amazon.
Sowing Seeds
To start growing Lovage from seed you will want to purchase seeds on Amazon or at your local gardening center. First, start to sow your seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost or outdoors in late spring.
When planting outdoors make sure the soil has warmed up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Then you will want to sow your seeds about 1/4″ deep into the soil. The soil must be well-draining like this FoxFarm. This soil is only available on Amazon.
Germination
Lovage seed germination takes about 10-15 days. Just make sure to keep the soil moist during this period so that the plant gets big enough to transplant. Once your plant is big enough to transplant you can plant your Lovage into pots, containers, or even directly into your garden.
Pick Location
Lovage herb can grow very large 5-6 feet tall and over 24″ wide. So if your planning on planting this herb in your garden make sure that each plant is spaced a minimum of 24″ apart.
Soil Requirements
The type of soil you have will greatly affect how well your herb garden will grow. Most people prefer to use loose gravel or a mix of compost. These types of garden soils provide ample drainage, which helps the plants thrive in all weather conditions. Growing lovage requires sandy loamy soil with a pH of 6.5.
Water Requirements
A plant’s roots will need to be maintained and watered every day. To ensure a healthy growing environment for your herb garden, make sure you fertilize them regularly.
Before you plant your lovage, remember to thoroughly water the soil. You can use a garden hose or sprinkler to water the soil while you are watering your herbs. Don’t water the soil too much or you will drown the roots of the plant.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your herb garden at least once every two weeks will help them survive the hot summer months.
Remember, it is important to maintain the balance of your garden. To help maintain the garden’s environment, mulch is essential. Mulch will also protect the herbs from diseases that may be lurking in the soil.
Finally, you can also take advantage of other types of decorations that will enhance the look of your garden. A hanging basket is a great way to add some elegance to your garden. Just make sure the basket has holes in the bottom so that the herbs do not get wet.
Once you have planted your herbs, don’t forget to take care of them by removing any dead leaves or herbs that become diseased.
How to grow lovage herb garden can be as easy or as difficult as you choose. With the proper amount of work and patience, your herbs will flourish.
Pruning
Finally, before you harvest your herbs, you should prune them after each harvest to ensure they are looking as beautiful as when they were picked. The last thing you want is to get a plant that is wilting because it does not have enough space to grow.
Keep in mind that your plant’s growth cycle will determine when you will prune your herb garden. When the plant has reached its flowering stage, you can then cut the herb plant back to three leaves. Each day, you can thin out more leaves to allow the plant to continue blooming.
Harvesting
When harvesting lovage it is best done in the morning. The reason for this is that the lovage plants concentrations of essential oils are at its highest levels in the morning.
Drying your lovage is simple, just tie them up in small bunches like a bouquet and hang them upside down in a dark ventilated area such as your basement or cold room.
When the herb is dried out completely, you can then store your dried herbs into glass jars, and store the jars in a dark and cool area.
Lovage can be picked and used fresh off the plant, or you can store it in Ziplock sealable bags and freeze them or store them in the Ziplock sealable bags dry.
Culinary Uses
Lovage Herb Uses include: Dressing: It makes a delightful dressing and adds a great bit of zest to meats, or fish. The leaves are also used in salads; the stem is dug up in the fall and used as an alternative vegetable. Stems can also replace the celery in any recipe.
Spices: The herb uses have many, including the addition of your baked goods. You can add the herb and spice mixture to crackers and sausages. It is also added to salad dressings. The leaves are also added to cookies and brownies. You can make an excellent salad dressing with the use of the leaves.
Seasoning: You will find this herb in the baking spice mixture in recipes, and often in the cooking spice mixture as well. You will find it in just about any seasoning mix you will find in your grocery store. Lovage has a lot of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients.
Cooking: This herb has several different uses in the kitchen. It is often added to soups, and dishes. You can add the herb to your meals when you make them or when you are shopping. You can use the leaves for bread, as well as add them to meat.
Dressing: You will find this herb in any savory dish you will prepare. It is often added to chicken and is also very nice in a salad dressing. You will find that this herb is most popular for its culinary uses.
There are many other Lovage Herb Uses. You just have to keep your eyes open and your mind open for new recipes and new ways of incorporating the herb. You may even learn how to make some of your favorite recipes on your own, which makes it even more fun. There is so much variety in this herb, it seems almost limitless.
You can find so many recipes for this herb uses from many different sources. You can look in cookbooks, magazines, books, and even the Internet. Many of the recipes are not only delicious, but they are also healthy for you. When you use natural herbs, you do not have to worry about adding chemicals to your food, as you would have to when using them with synthetic ingredients.
Try to find some of these herbs for your cooking, salad dressing, soups, and even your desserts. They are very tasty and are very nutritious.
Health Benefits
Lovage is an extremely popular herb for use in natural supplements and herbal medications. It has been used for thousands of years to treat several different ailments, and it is quite often included in herbal remedies as well.
Although there are numerous health benefits to Lovage, it is also an herb that can be potentially dangerous. This is particularly the case with women who have not had children. Before using it, you should consult your physician or fertility specialist to ensure that Lovage will not harm you or your baby.
The Lovage herb is a powerful diuretic. This means that it makes the urine to flow more rapidly, so it can be useful in lowering water levels in the body. It can even be used to treat menopause, as it helps stimulate menstruation. Because of this powerful diuretic activity, it can lead to dehydration. Drinking too much of the herb may lead to electrolyte imbalances and electrolyte imbalance can lead to kidney problems.
Many people who use this herb for treating their fertility problems have experienced some side effects. These include an upset stomach and nausea, constipation, cramps, and bloating. Other symptoms include nausea, bloating, and vomiting. However, some people do report no side effects at all.
It is important to note that this herb can interfere with certain drugs, so it is always best to check with your doctor first before using this herb. Also, because this herb is very strong in terms of its diuretic properties, it is not advisable for pregnant women. It can also be dangerous if you are taking certain types of medication and taking large amounts of this herb.
Lovage herb health benefits include relief from depression, anxiety, arthritis, acne, diabetes, migraine headaches, and fatigue. Many other herbs work similarly to this herb, however, none of them offer the same benefits. Using one of these other herbs instead can provide similar results, and in many cases, they will provide much more beneficial results.
You should use this herb in conjunction with another natural remedy that you use for your health care needs. When used along with a balanced diet and good exercise, this herb can help to balance out any imbalances in the body. However, it is important to use only a natural remedy. This is especially important when you are pregnant.
You will also find that this herb can help with the development of the immune system. This is particularly useful in helping to fight off colds and allergies. You will also find that the herb can help to help you lose weight. Since this herb helps to regulate metabolism, it helps you to lose weight more quickly than traditional weight loss methods, such as fasting.
If you want to use natural remedies to help with your weight loss, consider using Lovage as part of your diet along with other natural remedies. You will find that these natural remedies will help you reach your weight loss goals much faster than using traditional methods such as fad diets, pills, and other weight loss supplements.
By combining Lovage along with other natural remedies, you will find that you can dramatically improve your overall health and look great in no time at all!
Companion Herbs
Excellent companion plants to lovage are peppermint, catmint, fennel and hyssop.
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases are not a problem with the lovage herb.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do lovage seeds take to germinate?
Lovage seeds usually take up to 25 days to germinate into a seedling. You can transplant it to a pot or container when it’s about 5″ tall.
Does Lovage come back every year?
Lovage is a perennial and does grow back on its own year after year.
How long does Lovage take to grow?
Lovage will grow from seed to a fully mature plant in approximately 3 years.
Why are my lovage leaves turning yellow?
If your lovage plant leaves are turning yellow it could be that your plant is either underwatered or you may have pests such as aphids. It is common for Aphids to siphon the juice out of the leaves causing them to turn yellow.
Will deer eat lovage?
Deers do not like the lovage plant. Lovage is a great animal deterrent, and should be used around your vegetables as companion plants for prevention.
Conclusion
So next time you are thinking about growing your herbs, take a look at what is available. Some herbs have more advantages than others, and some of them may be able to help you with your cooking.
As you consider the different types of herbs to use in your herb garden, it may help you think about Lovage. This is a beautiful plant that will brighten up any table setting and help provide you with a lot of delicious dishes. It is used for salads, bread and spreads, soups, potpourri and stews, and other dishes.
In addition to making sure that your herbs are well-grown, you need to do a little research on growing herbs. It may not be easy, but it is worth it when you start to reap the rewards of delicious tasting food prepared with herbs.
