Licorice Root

A leguminous perennial whose sweet roots are 50 times sweeter than sugar, used in herbal tea blends for flavor and soothing properties. Licorice root tea is one of the most popular herbal beverages worldwide for throat comfort and digestive support. Harvest roots after three to four years of growth, slicing and drying them for tea infusions.

Licorice can be started from seed, but root divisions are faster and more reliable. For seed starting, scarify seeds by nicking the seed coat with a file or soaking overnight in warm water. Sow in spring in deep pots (at least 20cm) filled with sandy compost, covering seeds 1cm deep. Germination takes 2-4 weeks at 20-25°C. Transplant seedlings to their permanent position when they have 4-6 true leaves. Alternatively, divide established plants in spring by cutting sections of stolon with at least two buds each.

The Season Plate

Your Licorice Root Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Licorice Root Mar – May, pick Oct – Nov. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Mar – May

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Mar 14

≈ 1095 days from sowing · 200-500g per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Licorice Root reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

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Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

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Licorice root is a hardy perennial legume native to southern Europe and western Asia, cultivated for thousands of years for its distinctively sweet roots. The plant grows to about 1 meter tall with compound leaves and short spikes of pale blue to purple flowers. It spreads by underground stolons and can become quite persistent once established, so consider giving it a dedicated bed or using root barriers.

Plant root divisions or crowns in spring, spacing them 45cm apart in deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Licorice needs a long, warm growing season to produce good root development—at least 3-4 years before the first harvest. Water regularly during the growing season, as consistent moisture produces the sweetest, most substantial roots. The plant is a nitrogen-fixer like other legumes, improving soil fertility for nearby plants.

Licorice is surprisingly cold-hardy once established, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C when dormant. The top growth dies back in autumn and fresh shoots emerge in spring. Avoid heavy clay soils that impede root growth—deep sandy loam is ideal. Mulch with compost in spring to maintain soil fertility and conserve moisture during hot weather.

As a nitrogen-fixing legume, licorice enriches soil for neighboring plants. It grows well alongside deep-rooted herbs like comfrey and marshmallow root. The spreading root system helps break up compacted soil over time. Avoid planting near shallow-rooted plants that may be smothered by licorice's vigorous stolons. The plant's tall growth can provide light shade for understory herbs like mint and lemon balm in hot climates.

The Society Table

Chamomile belongs beside it.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Licorice Root's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 2

ChamomileMint

Keep apart · 0

no recorded foes

Plant Licorice Root with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Related growing guides

Herbs

Chamomile

A good companion for Licorice Root

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Mint

A good companion for Licorice Root

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Lemon Balm

View growing guide

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Anise

View growing guide

Licorice performs best in deep, fertile, well-drained sandy loam with a pH of 6.0-8.0. The soil must be at least 60cm deep and free of rocks to allow proper root development. As a legume, licorice fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Incorporate well-rotted compost or aged manure before planting, and top-dress with compost annually in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that promote leafy growth at the expense of root sweetness. Add phosphorus and potassium to support root development.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Licorice roots require a minimum of three years of growth before harvest, with four years producing the sweetest, most substantial roots. Harvest in late autumn after the tops have died back, when the root's sweetness peaks. Dig carefully with a fork to avoid breaking the brittle roots, excavating at least 60cm deep. Leave some root pieces and stolons in the ground to regenerate the planting. Wash roots thoroughly and cut into 10-15cm pieces for drying.

Storage & Preservation

Wash harvested roots and cut into uniform sticks or slices for even drying. Dry in a dehydrator at 40-45°C or in a warm, well-ventilated room for 2-3 weeks until completely dry and brittle. Store dried root pieces in airtight glass jars in a cool, dark place—they keep their sweetness for 2-3 years. For tea, slice dried roots thinly or grind into a coarse powder. Licorice root can also be extracted into syrups by simmering pieces in water and reducing.

Red Spider Mite

Pest

Fine webbing on leaf undersides, leaves turning yellow-bronze, and reduced vigor in hot dry conditions.

Prevention Maintain adequate soil moisture and mist foliage during dry spells. Encourage predatory mites by avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides.

Fix: Spray with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to undersides of leaves. Repeat applications every 5 days for two weeks.

Powdery Mildew

Disease

White powdery patches on leaves and stems, typically appearing in late summer when days are warm and nights cool.

Prevention Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants adequately. Water at soil level and avoid overhead irrigation in the evening.

Fix: Remove affected leaves. Spray with a solution of potassium bicarbonate or diluted milk (1:9 with water). Apply neem oil as a preventive if mildew is a recurring problem.

Root Rot

Disease

Wilting plants despite adequate moisture, yellowing foliage, and dark soft roots when dug. Often caused by waterlogged conditions.

Prevention Plant in well-drained soil and avoid heavy clay. Ensure beds are not low-lying areas that collect standing water.

Fix: Remove affected plants, improve drainage by adding coarse sand and organic matter. Replant only in well-drained locations.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

The most common frustration is the long wait to harvest—three to four years is a significant investment. Mark your licorice bed clearly so it isn't accidentally disturbed. Spreading stolons can make licorice invasive; install root barriers or grow in deep raised beds to contain it. Poor root development usually indicates compacted or shallow soil—double-dig beds before planting. In cool climates with short summers, roots may be less sweet; choose the most sheltered, sunny site available.

Growing Tips

1. Scarify licorice seeds by gently nicking the hard outer coat with a small file or sandpaper before soaking in warm water for 24 hours. This breaks seed dormancy and can improve germination rates from under 20% to over 70%.
2. Choose a permanent planting location with deep, sandy loam soil and full sun to light partial shade. Licorice develops an extensive root system reaching 1-2 meters deep, so avoid areas with compacted subsoil, high water tables, or shallow bedrock.
3. Plant root divisions or stolons horizontally at a depth of 10-15 cm in spring for the fastest establishment. Each division should have at least one growth bud or eye. This method produces harvestable plants one to two years faster than growing from seed.
4. Install root barriers made of thick plastic or metal edging buried at least 60 cm deep around the planting area to prevent licorice from spreading aggressively through underground stolons into unwanted areas of the garden.
5. Water deeply but infrequently once established, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Licorice is surprisingly drought-tolerant due to its deep taproot system and actually produces higher concentrations of glycyrrhizin in slightly dry conditions.
6. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization which promotes excessive leafy top growth at the expense of root development. Instead, apply a light annual top-dressing of compost or well-rotted manure in early spring and let the nitrogen-fixing root nodules do the rest.
7. Mulch heavily with straw or wood chips in late autumn to protect the crown from winter damage in colder regions. Remove mulch gradually in spring as new shoots emerge to prevent smothering the tender growth points.
8. Wait at least three full growing seasons before attempting your first root harvest. Roots harvested too early will be thin, woody, and lack the concentrated sweetness and beneficial compounds that develop with maturity.
9. Harvest roots in late autumn after the foliage has completely died back, when glycyrrhizin concentration is at its seasonal peak. Use a garden fork to carefully loosen the soil around the root zone and lift roots gently to avoid snapping the taproot.
10. Dry harvested roots by slicing them into 5-10 mm thick pieces and spreading them on screens in a warm, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for 7-14 days. Properly dried roots should snap cleanly when bent and can be stored in airtight containers for up to three years.