Gardening Edible Gardening Herbs Lovage By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 1, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email Lovage Overview Description A relative of celery, lovage is a hardy perennial herb whose leaves can be used in soups, salads, and bouquets. Unlike most herbs, lovage thrives in clay soil that is slow to drain. Lovage is a large plant, reaching up to 5 feet tall, so grow it at the back of the border where it can spread and not compete with other plants. Its small yellow-green flowers attract beneficial insects. After planting, lovage grows vigorously for about four years and then slows. Because lovage is a self-seeder, clip off flower heads before they mature unless you want more plants. Genus Name Levisticum officinale Common Name Lovage Plant Type Herb, Perennial Height 3 to 8 feet Width 2 to 3 feet Flower Color Yellow Season Features Summer Bloom Special Features Cut Flowers Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division, Seed Plant lovage with Find perennials to pair with your herbs More Videos » Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit