Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice, Liquorice, Sweetwood
Also known as Glycyrrhiza glandulifera
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This has been grown for many centuries for its liquorice which is extracted from the roots of the plants, being harvested in autumn. The plant itself is a naturally spreading, rather disorderly perennial. It has slender branches that hold paired pinnate leaves. These are light green and soft looking. The plant has short columns of pale blue or violet pea-flowers that are not very noticeable. The flowers are followed by intriguing rusty brown clusters of seed pods. Liquorice is used for many purposes including a number of medicinal ones.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Purple, Violet
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Herb garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Sensory garden (tactile)
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.