Exposure Full-sun
Season Warm season
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Glycyrrhiza glabra. Yes, it is what it claims to be: This is the plant that produces the distinctive flavour found in confectioneries and candies world wide. Liquorice is an herbaceous perennial legume that is harvested for its roots. The roots contain a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is said to be 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar. Much of the distinctive flavour or liquorice is produced by the compound anethole, which is also found in fennel, anise, and star anise, although it is botanically unrelated to those plants. Space the 1m (3') tall plants at least 60cm (24") apart in the row, and harvest in the second or third year. Reserve and replant some of the roots to keep the crop going. This perennial is hardy to Zone 7.
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Latin
Latin
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Family: Fabaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Season & Zone
Season: Warm season
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: Hardy to Zone 7
Timing
Timing
Start seeds indoors around the last frost date. Transplant out once night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Ideal temperature for germination: 20°C (68°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
Starting
Starting
Sow 5mm (¼”) deep. Keep the soil moist until germination — a seedling heat mat will speed germination. Transplant at a spacing of 1m (3′).
Growing
Growing
Liquorice will grow to chest height, but it can be kept a bit smaller if grown in a large container. It has an extensive root system that primarily requires good drainage. Soil fertility is less important. Liquorice is a legume that will fix its own nitrogen in the soil around its root system. It is quite cold hardy and tough once it is established.
Harvest
Harvest
The roots can be harvested after the first or second year of growth. It is probably a better practice to harvest after three years by removing most of the larger roots and then re-planting each stem. Harvest in late summer.
Seed Info
Seed Info
Usual seed life: 3 years.
Companion Planting
Companion Planting
As a legume, liquorice will fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil around its roots. Leafy greens like lettuce or spinach will do well planted around the base of liquorice plants. The plants have attractive blue or violet flowers that appear August to September.
More on Companion Planting.
West Coast Seeds is a family-owned company that embraces an organic lifestyle. A group of imagination catalysts and passionate educators, dedicated to producing products and services that better the environment. As part of our mission to repair the earth, we aim to inspire and empower people to take responsibility for the state of the planet. For us, organic is about much more than saying no to chemicals, it is about saying yes to building a healthy soil for the future.
For over 35 years, we have upheld our strong reputation as a leading seed supplier, seeking out the highest quality untreated seeds for organic growing and putting them through rigorous independent testing. We built our company on the exchange of generational wisdom in a masterclass community of newbies and masters alike. Our world may have changed, but our commitment to our people, our customers, and our planet has not.
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Gardens don’t just grow seeds. They grow minds and imaginations, people and communities. Our vision encompasses both the micro and the macro. We eat locally, protect pollinators, teach people to grow from seed, and support regional biodiversity. We think big but act small and deliver unexpected impact — always with community and purpose.
At West Coast Seeds we believe in the power of small and that little can be large. Like the tiniest seed germinates to evoke incremental change with massive potential, so to can our community of gardeners and growers together. Gardeners are the earth’s stewards, planting seeds of creative declaration. The soil provides the canvas, we provide the seeds.
Start seeds indoors around the last frost date. Transplant out once night time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Ideal temperature for germination: 20°C (68°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
Sow 5mm (¼”) deep. Keep the soil moist until germination — a seedling heat mat will speed germination. Transplant at a spacing of 1m (3′).
Liquorice will grow to chest height, but it can be kept a bit smaller if grown in a large container. It has an extensive root system that primarily requires good drainage. Soil fertility is less important. Liquorice is a legume that will fix its own nitrogen in the soil around its root system. It is quite cold hardy and tough once it is established.
The roots can be harvested after the first or second year of growth. It is probably a better practice to harvest after three years by removing most of the larger roots and then re-planting each stem. Harvest in late summer.
