Lovage Plants is a robust perennial herb grown for its vibrant, celery-like foliage and flavorful stalks. In early spring, plants send up glossy, parsley-like leaves (often compared to flat celery leaves) that add an aromatic celery-anise flavor to soups, salads, and teas.
By summer, lovage produces tall, ferny stalks crowned with umbrella clusters of yellow-green flowers. These fragrant flower heads are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
All parts of lovage plants are edible – young leaves and stems for cooking, dried seeds as a spice, and even roots for herbal remedies. This combination of culinary utility and ornamental appeal makes lovage a unique and rewarding houseplant to grow.
Growing Lovage Plant from Seed.
Starting lovage plants from seed indoors gives you a head start on the growing season. Sow seeds in late winter or early spring, about 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. Use a shallow tray or small pots with a light seed-starting mix.
Plant each seed about ¼ inch (5–6 mm) deep – just cover it with soil – and keep the mix evenly moist. For best germination, some gardeners recommend a brief cold stratification: place the seeds in a sealed bag in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks before sowing.
Keep the seeded tray in a warm spot (around 65–70°F or 18–21°C); lovage seeds typically sprout in about 10–21 days.
- Seed tray/pot
Use clean flats or 3–4″ pots with good drainage. Sow 2–3 seeds per cell or pot and thin to the strongest seedling after they emerge. - Soil and moisture
A light, slightly nutrient-poor mix helps seeds sprout; cover them thinly and keep the soil moist. Avoid heavy, rich soils at germination – lovage seeds don’t require high nutrients to germinate. - Temperature
Aim for soil temperatures in the mid-60s–70°F (15–21°C) for reliable germination.
Once seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves, transplant them individually into slightly larger pots. Use a high-quality potting mix or compost enriched with some coarse material for drainage.
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Young lovage plants can stay indoors in their pots through spring; when they are bigger and outdoor weather is warm, you could move them outside – but indoor pot cultivation is perfectly fine if space and light allow.
Lovage Plants Light Requirements
Lovage Plants thrives in bright light. Indoors, place your plant in a sunny, south- or west-facing window if possible, where it can receive at least 6–8 hours of strong sunlight daily.
Lovage prefers full sun outdoors, though it will tolerate some light shade, so aim for the brightest spot indoors. If natural sun is limited (short days or shaded window), supplement with a full-spectrum grow light.
A fluorescent or LED grow light positioned about 6–12 inches above the plant for 12–16 hours per day can keep the lovage lush and compact. Rotate the pot occasionally to keep growth even.
Avoid placing lovage in deep shade or in a corner with poor light – insufficient light will make the plant leggy and weak. If your lovage stems grow long and thin with sparse foliage, it likely needs more light.
Lovage Plants Temperature and Humidity
Lovage is quite hardy and adaptable to indoor climates. It grows well in normal room temperatures: anywhere between about 60–75°F (15–24°C) is ideal.
In fact, lovage can tolerate cooler conditions and is hardy outdoors down to zone 4, so it will survive indoor temperatures as low as around 50°F.
Try to keep it out of extreme heat (above 85°F) and avoid hot, dry drafts from heating vents. Nights that are a bit cooler than days (around 55–65°F) mimic natural conditions and can even encourage more robust growth.
Average home humidity (30–50%) is usually fine for lovage. If your air is very dry (common in winter), you can increase humidity slightly by grouping plants together or setting the pot on a tray of pebbles with water (without letting the pot sit in water). Just ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Potting and Soil
When repotting or planting lovage for indoor growth, choose a large, sturdy container. A pot at least 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and depth is recommended.
Lovage can become top-heavy, so a heavy pot (ceramic or thick plastic) helps prevent tipping. Ensure it has ample drainage holes at the bottom.
Use a rich, loose potting mix that holds moisture but drains well. A general-purpose potting soil or John Innes No. 3 (or equivalent) is suitable. Mix in organic matter (compost or well-rotted leaf mold) and some coarse grit or perlite.
Lovage prefers a near-neutral pH (around 6.5–7.0). You can also add a 1–2 inch layer of gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom for extra drainage.
Fill the pot so the top of the root ball sits about 1 inch below the rim. Plant lovage on its own rather than crowding it with smaller herbs; its vigorous growth will overwhelm neighbors. A single lovage is often enough – one plant’s foliage can feed a family.
Watering
Lovage loves consistent moisture but hates sitting in water. Keep the soil evenly damp (like celery, a relative) – water when the top inch of soil starts to dry out.
In summer or bright indoor light, you may need to water generously every few days. In winter or cooler conditions, water less frequently but don’t let the crown dry out completely.
- Deep watering
When watering, do so thoroughly until water flows from the drainage holes, then let excess drain away. This encourages deep root growth. - Avoid waterlogging: Never leave lovage in a saucer of standing water. Constant soggy soil causes root rot. If the soil smells sour or the base of the plant feels mushy, reduce watering immediately.
- Humidity note: If leaves start to brown around edges, it might be underwatering. If leaves yellow and wilt despite moist soil, it could be overwatering. Adjust accordingly.
During growth (spring/summer), keep a regular watering schedule. In autumn and winter, reduce watering frequency as the plant slows; allow the soil to dry a bit more between waterings.
Fertilizing
Lovage is not a heavy feeder, but as a fast grower it will appreciate occasional nourishment in its pot. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or organic feed to support lush foliage. Good options include a granular slow-release 10-10-10 (N-P-K) or a monthly liquid feed:
- Spring & Summer: Mix a balanced organic fertilizer (like a 5-5-5 or 10-10-10) into the potting soil when you plant or repot. Then feed lightly once a month during the active growing season. A liquid seaweed or fish emulsion every 4–6 weeks also works.
- Avoid excess: Don’t over-fertilize. Too much nitrogen will produce lots of foliage but can dilute the flavor. A moderate, regular feeding is best.
- Dormant season: In fall and winter, stop fertilizing while the plant rests. Resume in late winter when new growth appears.
If the plant seems pale or stunted, a quick boost with a weak compost tea or diluted fertilizer can help. Otherwise, lovage often does fine with just the compost and potting mix nutrients you started with.
Pruning and Harvesting
Regular cutting and pruning keeps indoor lovage productive and prevents it from becoming woody. You can harvest and trim throughout the growing season:
- Leaf harvest
Pinch or cut the younger outer leaves and stems frequently in spring and summer. Snip stems near the base, leaving several inner shoots to regrow.
This constant harvesting encourages bushy growth. Aim to never remove more than one-third of the plant at once. - Encouraging new growth: If the plant stops sending up fresh shoots, cut back the older leafy stems by about half. Lovage will respond by flushing new greenery. You can do this a couple of times a year to keep the plant vigorous.
- Flower/seed stalks
When lovage flowers in summer, you have a choice. If you want fresh foliage, remove the flower stalks as soon as they appear – this redirects energy back into leaf production.
If you’d like seeds, let a few umbels mature. Harvest the seeds from dried flower heads in late summer or early fall.
Seeds can be used as a spice or saved for next year’s planting. Note that lovage self-seeds easily, so remove spent flowers to prevent volunteer seedlings (unless you welcome more plants). - General pruning
Remove any yellowing or dead leaves promptly. Also, if the plant grows tall and starts to flop over, you can give it light support (stakes) or pinch the top to limit height.
Over time (several years), a mature lovage may form a clump; you can divide this in spring or fall to rejuvenate it or share with friends.
Keep in mind that lovage has a large taproot and is relatively slow to fill its pot. It enjoys being a bit root-bound (in one pot for multiple years), but if growth really stalls, consider repotting into a slightly larger container in early spring.
Indoor Flowering and Pollination
Lovage naturally blooms in mid to late summer with frothy umbels of small yellow-green flowers. These flowers are rich in nectar and ordinarily attract many insects. Indoors, pollination may require a little extra help:
- Pollination
Lovage flowers are hermaphrodite (perfect) and insect-pollinated. In a home setting without bees, you can assist by hand-pollinating.
When the umbels open, take a small, soft brush or Q-tip and gently dab it on an open flower cluster, then touch it to another cluster, transferring pollen.
Alternatively, give the plant a gentle shake or use a small fan to mimic wind. This helps the plant set seeds if that is a goal. - Managing flower stalks
As noted, if you’re growing lovage primarily for its leaves, you can deadhead (cut off) the flower stalks right as they start to open. This keeps the plant’s energy focused on foliage. If you do want seeds, leave a few umbels undisturbed and collect seeds when dry. - Seed production
Seeds develop in ribbed green pods on the spent umbels. Indoors, without frost, these may dry a bit later than outdoors, but you can usually harvest seeds by early fall.
Allow the flowerheads to dry on the plant (or cut them and hang upside-down) until the seeds brown, then shake out or rub off the seed clusters. Plant or store at room temperature.
If lovage does bloom for you indoors, enjoy the delicate umbels of yellow-green flowers – but be ready to hand pollinate them if you want viable seeds.
Overwintering Care
Lovage is a hardy perennial that naturally goes dormant in winter. For an indoor plant, you don’t have to do much special – just let it rest:
- Light and temperature: As daylight shortens in fall, lovage will slow down. You can keep it in a somewhat cooler (but frost-free) spot, around 50–60°F (10–15°C), to encourage dormancy. If left in a warm, bright room, it might stay semi-evergreen; either way is fine, but reduced light means slower growth.
- Watering: Reduce watering once growth ceases. Water sparingly in winter – only enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. Overwatering a dormant plant can cause rot.
- Pruning: After the first frost outdoors (or when you decide indoors), trim off any remaining yellow or dead foliage down to the crown. You can even cut the whole plant back by half if it’s grown a lot.
- Protection: In temperate climates you might mulch the soil around lovage outdoors, but in a pot you can simply ensure the roots aren’t sitting in cold, wet soil. Keep the pot off a cold floor (on a tray or insulated surface) if your indoor space gets very cold.
Come late winter/early spring, resume normal care: move back to a sunny spot if you relocated it to a darker area, increase watering, and begin fertilizing as new shoots emerge. The plant will “wake up” and start the cycle again.
Common Pests and Diseases Indoors
Lovage is relatively pest-resistant, but indoors it can occasionally face issues:
- Aphids
These tiny sap-suckers can appear on new shoots, causing twisting or sticky residue. Remove aphids by spraying the plant with water or wiping them off by hand. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can control larger infestations. - Spider mites
In dry indoor air, watch for fine webbing and speckled leaves (signs of spider mites). Increase humidity, rinse the leaves occasionally, or use miticide/soap spray to eliminate them. - Powdery mildew
A white powdery coating on leaves indicates poor air circulation or high humidity. Prevent by ensuring good airflow and watering at the soil level (not overhead). Remove any affected leaves and consider a gentle fungicidal spray if it appears. - Root rot
Overwatering in a poorly draining pot can cause roots to rot. Yellowing, wilting, or mushy stems are symptoms. If this happens, trim off rotten roots and repot in fresh mix, reducing watering. - Whiteflies and fungus gnats
Rarely, small flying insects may appear. Sticky traps or neem oil can help. Most indoor infestations are managed by removing damaged foliage and isolating the plant.
Keeping the plant healthy (proper light, airflow, and watering) prevents most problems. If a pest is spotted, isolate the lovage so it doesn’t spread to other houseplants. Regularly inspect new growth on lovage (and all houseplants) to catch issues early.
Companion Plants (Optional)
Lovage’s strong scent can repel some pests, making it a classic garden companion outdoors, but in a houseplant setting it’s usually grown alone. If you want to group plants, keep in mind lovage’s size: it will quickly dominate a shared container.
Instead, you might pot lovage alongside another tall herb or green, such as mint or parsley, ensuring the pot is extra large (or use separate pots clustered together). Indoors, a common friendly pairing is basil or cilantro, which have similar lighting needs, in adjacent pots.
However, do not cram lovage and smaller, slower herbs in the same small pot – lovage will overtake them. Some growers also pair lovage with plants that enjoy the same moist soil (like mint or oregano) in big pots outdoors, but indoors it’s simplest to give lovage its own space.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Yellowing or browning leaves
If lower leaves turn yellow and drop, check watering: overwatering can cause root issues, while underwatering causes browning edges.
Adjust your watering to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Also, yellow leaves can signal nutrient deficiency if you haven’t fertilized; a light feed may help. - Leggy, sparse growth
This is usually due to insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter spot or add grow light. A too-small pot can also cause stunting; ensure the plant isn’t root-bound (consider repotting into a larger pot). - Poor germination or seedling growth
Lovage seeds can be slow. If sowing fails, try increasing warmth or pre-soaking seeds. Seedlings need ample light once germinated, or they’ll stretch and weaken. - Wilting or limp appearance
Often a watering issue – waterlogged roots or extreme dryness. Check soil moisture and roots. Also, look for pests like aphids or spider mites sucking sap (inspect underside of leaves). - No flowering or seed setting
Indoors, lovage might bloom lightly. Ensure long enough light exposure. If you let it bloom, try hand-pollinating as described above; otherwise, pinch buds to keep the plant focused on leaf growth. - Root issues
Any sign of rot (foul smell, black mush) means repot in fresh, well-draining mix and trim dead roots. Ensure your pot has holes and use perlite/grit to improve drainage.
In general, keep conditions balanced: bright light, good drainage, and regular but moderate feeding. With a little attention, indoor lovage will reward you with lush growth and plenty of flavorful greens.
