Lovage: How to Use, Grow and Stay Safe

Lovage tastes like a stronger, greener celery. If you want bolder flavor in soups, stocks, or salads, lovage gives an instant lift without complicated recipes. It’s a hardy perennial that suits small gardens and pots, and every part of the plant—leaves, stems, seeds, and roots—has practical uses.

How to use lovage in food and tea

Use fresh lovage leaves like you’d use celery leaves: chop and add at the end of cooking to preserve aroma. Stems can be thinly sliced into soups or stews for texture and flavor. Seeds work like a spice—crush them lightly and add to bread, pickles, or spice blends. The root tastes earthy and can be roasted or thinly sliced into stews for a deep savory note.

Want a simple tea? Steep 1 teaspoon of dried lovage leaves (or a small handful of fresh) in hot water for 5–10 minutes. It’s warming and slightly peppery. Start with small amounts until you know how your body reacts.

Growing and care tips that actually work

Lovage is low-maintenance. Plant in rich, well-drained soil with full sun or light shade. Space plants 2–3 feet apart because they can reach 4–6 feet tall. Water regularly the first season; after that the plant tolerates short dry spells but performs best with steady moisture.

Divide clumps every 3–4 years in early spring to keep plants vigorous. You can sow from seed, but seedlings grow slowly—buying established plants speeds things up. Harvest leaves in spring and summer. Collect seeds in late summer or early fall when the flower heads brown. Dry seeds out of direct sun and store in a cool, dark place.

Lovage also works well in containers. Choose a deep pot for the taproot, use quality potting mix, and move the pot to a sheltered spot in colder zones for winter protection.

People use lovage for flavor, but some try it for mild digestive support or as a gentle diuretic. If you plan to use it regularly for health reasons, talk with a healthcare provider first. Herbs can interact with medications or change how other treatments work.

Basic safety rules: avoid large doses if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you take blood pressure medicine, diuretics, or other prescription drugs, check with your doctor before adding lovage as a supplement. Stop use and see a clinician if you notice skin sensitivity, unusual swelling, or digestive upset after trying lovage.

Want to use lovage in a meal idea? Try this: simmer chicken bones with onion, carrot, a few lovage stems, and a bay leaf for 45 minutes. Strain, add chopped lovage leaves and lemon at the end. It’s an easy stock with bright herbal notes.

Lovage is simple, bold, and useful. It’s great for gardeners who like a low-fuss perennial and cooks who want celery-like flavor with more punch. Start small, try it in a pot or one recipe, and see how it changes your meals.