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Licorice, or liquorice, is a plant with a long history of use for its medicinal and culinary properties. It is native to the Mediterranean and parts of Southwestern Asia, but it can be grown in many climates, including Australia. With its light green foliage and small heads of bluish-grey pea flowers, the licorice plant is a hardy perennial that can reach a height of up to 1.5 meters. In this article, we will explore the benefits of growing your own licorice in Australia and provide a step-by-step guide on how to cultivate and care for this versatile plant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 90 cm to 1.5 m |
| Sunlight | Full sun, but can tolerate part shade |
| Soil | Deep, sandy, slightly alkaline, moist, and well-drained |
| Temperature | 15-30 degrees Celsius |
| Climate | Mediterranean, sub-tropical, and tropical |
| Frost | Hardy |
| Root System | Extensive branching, requires 1-3 m of space |
| Propagation | Seed, root cutting, or division |
| Harvest | After 2-4 years, in autumn |
| Uses | Medicinal, culinary |
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What You'll Learn
Licorice grows best in full sun and well-drained soil
Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a hardy perennial plant that can grow up to 1.5 metres tall. It is native to the Mediterranean and some south-western areas of Asia, but it can be grown in Australia in full sun and well-drained soil.
The licorice plant thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained, sandy, slightly alkaline soil that is moist. It is adapted to many climates, including temperate and sub-tropical, and is frost-hardy due to its dormancy during winter. Licorice will grow in most Australian climates and benefits from added mulch to retain moisture and well-drained soils.
When planting, ensure that the licorice has plenty of space, as the roots can spread far and wide. It is recommended to give each plant 1-3 square metres of space. Licorice can be grown from seed, root cuttings, or division/stolon cuttings. If starting from seed, soak them overnight before planting and keep the soil moist until germination. For root cuttings, plant 20-30cm root pieces with 60-100cm spacing. Licorice is thirsty during spring and summer, so regular watering is required during the growing period.
Harvesting of the roots can begin when the plant is two years old, preferably in the autumn after the growing season. Dig up the plant and remove some of the roots, being careful not to damage the main roots. The harvested roots can be dried and used to make tea or other culinary creations.
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It can be grown from seed or root division
Licorice can be grown from seed or root division. If you’re starting from seed, sow them in spring or summer. Soak them overnight and then push each seed into 5cm of soil. Keep the soil moist until you see your plant emerge. If planting from division, make sure each plant has at least 30cm of space to spread out its roots. Licorice is thirsty during spring and summer, so you'll need to water it regularly during the growing period. However, once the temperature starts to drop, you can reduce the amount of water.
Licorice grows to around 1-1.5 meters tall and prefers full sun, but can tolerate part shade. It has a spreading habit with an extensive branching root system, so give it 1-3 meters of space. The roots are brown, straight, and wrinkled, with a yellow inside. The foliage is fern-like and quite pretty, with pinnate leaves up to 15 cm long, and small heads of bluish-grey pea flowers in summer.
Licorice is native to temperate and subtropical climates and prefers temperatures between 15-30 degrees Celsius. It grows well in deep, sandy, slightly alkaline soil that is both moist and well-drained. Raised beds or mounds are recommended in the tropics to improve drainage. Licorice is a hardy plant that becomes dormant during winter, making it frost-hardy. It will hibernate and re-shoot when the weather warms up.
Harvesting licorice root can be done once your plant is two years old, although some sources suggest waiting up to four years for the roots to reach a worthwhile size. It is best to harvest in the autumn after the growing season is complete. Dig up the plant with a spade and remove some of the roots with scissors or secateurs, being careful not to damage the main roots. Dry the roots for a few months before using them to make tea or other culinary creations.
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Licorice plants need plenty of space for their roots to spread
Licorice plants, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, are small shrubs with pretty, light green, fern-like foliage and small heads of bluish-purple pea flowers. They are native to the warm Mediterranean and parts of southwestern Asia, where the climate is mild and dry. As such, they prefer full sun and well-drained, sandy, slightly alkaline soil that is kept moist. They will also tolerate frosts as they die down in winter and become dormant.
To increase your future licorice crop, plant 20-30 cm root pieces with 60-100 cm spacing. If planting from division, make sure each plant has at least 30 cm of wiggle room. Licorice plants are thirsty during spring and summer, so they require lots of water during the growing period. Once the temperature starts to drop, you can reduce the amount of water.
It takes about 2-4 years for the plant to develop enough thick, fleshy roots to harvest. Roots can be harvested at any time of the year, but they may take 2-3 years to reach a worthwhile size of 1-5 cm.
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Harvesting can take 2-4 years
Licorice plants need plenty of space for their roots to spread out. Give them 1-3 square metres each. For the first couple of years, plant them with other plants for protection and to create a microclimate. Licorice plants are thirsty during spring and summer, so make sure to water them well during this period. Once the temperature starts to drop, you can reduce the amount of water.
Depending on the size of your plant at the time of planting, it can take 2-4 years before you can harvest the roots. Seed-grown plants will be slower to mature than plants grown from root cuttings. Roots can be harvested at any time of the year, but it will take 2-3 years for them to reach a worthwhile size of 1-5 cm. It takes about 3 years for the plant to develop enough thick, fleshy roots to harvest, but don't leave it longer than that as the roots become woody and less palatable.
Harvesting licorice root can be done once your plant is two years old. It is best done in the autumn after the growing season is complete. Dig up the plant with a sharp spade and remove some of the roots with clean scissors or secateurs. Be mindful not to damage the main roots attached to the growing plant. This way, you can put it back into the garden and harvest again in a few years.
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Roots can be harvested in autumn and dried for tea
Licorice roots can be harvested in autumn, after the growing season is complete. The roots can be harvested when the plant is two years old, but it is recommended to wait until they are three years old, as this allows enough time for the roots to develop a thick, fleshy texture. Waiting longer than three years may result in the roots becoming woody and less palatable.
To harvest the roots, dig up the plant with a spade and remove some of the roots with clean scissors or secateurs. Be careful not to damage the main roots attached to the growing plant, so it can continue to be productive in the future.
After harvesting, the roots should be dried for a few months before using them for tea. They can be dried in the sun, in the shade, or with other methods like dehydrators and ovens. Properly dried and stored licorice roots will keep for a long time.
Licorice root tea is known for its sweetness, which comes from the compound glycyrrhizin. However, it is important to note that licorice root tea is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, as it can cause a dangerous drop in potassium levels and significant hormonal changes.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant licorice is in spring or summer. If you’re starting from seed, soak them overnight and then push each seed into 5cm of soil. Keep the soil moist until the plant emerges.
Licorice grows best in deep, sandy, slightly alkaline soil that is both moist and well-drained. Raised beds or mounds are recommended in areas with high rainfall. Licorice also benefits from added mulch to maintain moisture.
Licorice plants need plenty of space for their roots to spread out wide. It is recommended to plant them 1-3 meters apart. They can also be grown in pots.
It can take 2-4 years for licorice roots to reach a worthwhile size for harvesting. The roots can be harvested at any time of the year. Once harvested, the roots should be dried before being used to make tea or other products.
