Alexanders and lovage are both old-fashioned umbellifer herbs from the carrot family, but they're different genera and never cross with each other -- or with carrot, parsley or celery for that matter. They're grouped here simply because their seed-saving needs are so similar: insect-pollinated, moderate isolation from others of the same herb, and a straightforward dry-and-thresh harvest.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Crops Covered by This Guide
Both are perennial umbellifer herbs in the carrot family (Apiaceae), but different genera:
Alexanders and lovage do not cross with each other, or with carrot, parsley, celery, dill or fennel -- all different genera within the same family. Isolation only matters between plants of the same herb.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
How It's Pollinated
Insect-pollinated
(Moderate crossing risk within each herb, none between them)
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Only other plants of the same herb -- e.g. one alexanders plant with another alexanders plant
- Does not cross between alexanders and lovage, or with other Apiaceae family herbs like carrot, parsley or celery
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- Alexanders itself is naturalised and semi-wild along many UK coastal roads -- if you're growing a specific selection, nearby wild alexanders can cross with it
- Lovage has no significant wild relatives in most home garden regions
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 100m between plants of the same herb
Recommended: 200m for reliable purity
Strict: Bag flower umbels for guaranteed purity
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Both are perennial -- established plants flower reliably each year
- Allow the flat umbels (flower heads) to dry and turn brown
- Cut heads before seed shatters, finish drying indoors
- Store dry -- viable 2-3 years