Lovage

Levisticum officinale

Origin: Eurasia

Improvement status: Cultivated material

Seeds per packet: ~80

Germination tested 10/2025: 50%

Life cycle: Perennial

Lovage is an herbaceous, perennial plant, with a deep flavor somewhere between parsley and celery. The leaves are great for flavoring soups and broths, and can also be added to salads. The seeds can be used as a spice also: add them to pickles or crushed in bread.

Lovage plants are beautiful and will grow 3'-6' tall. It has a role not only as a trusted perennial herb that will always be there for you, but also fits nicely into decorative, landscaping (great for edible landscapers!).

EFN co-founder Dusty Hinz loves lovage! And he doesn't quite understand why it isn't more widely cultivated, used, and treasured!

Our seed comes from Michael Billington of Nourishing Roots Farm in Montana, who grows all kinds of perennial edible plants.

GROWING TIPS: Start seeds in trays with potting soil and transplant to garden when they seem strong enough to do so.