How to Store Lovage
Lovage leaves and stems are best used fresh, but they hold for a while with the right handling and preserve well for winter cooking. Because the flavor is concentrated, even a small stored supply goes a long way in the kitchen. Leaves, stalks, seeds, and roots each keep differently, so match the method to the part you picked.
Best storage conditions
Store fresh leaves and stems in the refrigerator at about 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity, ideally in the crisper drawer. Keep them in a loosely closed bag or wrap the cut ends in a damp paper towel to hold moisture. Dried leaves and seeds keep best in a cool, dark, dry cupboard in airtight jars.
How long it keeps
Fresh leaves and stems stay usable for roughly 5 to 10 days refrigerated before they wilt and lose punch. Frozen lovage holds its flavor for 6 to 12 months, and thoroughly dried leaves or seeds keep for about a year in sealed containers. Whole fall-dug roots can be held for several weeks in cool, damp storage.
Storage methods
For the refrigerator, treat leafy sprigs like a bouquet with stems in a jar of water and a bag over the top, or roll them in a damp towel inside a bag. Freeze chopped leaves in ice cube trays topped with water or olive oil, then pop the cubes into a labeled freezer bag. Dry leaves by hanging small bunches in a warm, airy, shaded spot or using a dehydrator on low, then crumble and jar them.
Freezing & preserving
Freezing and drying are the simplest and most reliable ways to keep lovage, and the seeds can be dried and stored like a spice. If you want to can foods that include lovage, follow only tested USDA or National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) recipes, and remember that herb-and-vegetable mixtures and stocks are low-acid foods that require a pressure canner, not a boiling-water bath. Do not add extra lovage beyond what a tested recipe specifies, since changing ingredient proportions can affect safety.
Tips
Blanch stems briefly before freezing if you want them to keep a brighter color and firmer texture. Because dried lovage is potent, start with about half the amount you would use fresh and adjust to taste. Save the hollow trimmed stalks in the freezer to toss into stockpots later.
General home-storage guidance. For home canning and preserving safety, follow USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidelines. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.