How to Grow Licorice : Where Licorice Grows and How to Grow Licorice . Instructions for Growing Licorice and Info on the Plant .
Step-by-step instructions on how to grow licorice in a pot or in the garden.
Those who love medicinal plants can add another to the list: licorice . Licorice is considered a very special plant for its remarkable healing properties, which make it one of the most consumed herbs in the world. Licorice has been famous since ancient times, it is estimated that its use was widespread more than 5,000 years ago.
The properties of licorice
The most important active ingredient in licorice is glycyrrhizin, which gives it an anti-inflammatory and antiviral action. For its properties, licorice has been elected “plant of the year” several times. Licorice seems to be effective against coughs, sore throats, catarrh, cervical pain and gastric acidity, and it also has a mild laxative effect.
Those who suffer from low blood pressure may benefit from licorice because it increases blood pressure, but for the same reason it should be consumed sparingly.
Find more information in our article dedicated to the properties of liquorice .
Licorice, plant
Identified with the botanical name of Glycyrrhiza glabra , it is a perennial plant that can reach a height of just over a metre.
The species Glycyrrhiza glabra is native to southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean region. Where does it grow? Mainly on calcareous and/or clayey soils. The plant has captured the attention of the general public thanks to its large rhizome ( root ) from which stolons extend , up to two meters long!
Licorice Roots
The roots of three-four year old licorice plants are used, collected during the autumn season and dried.
From the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, various extracts can be obtained. Licorice is famous for its many properties and is appreciated in the kitchen for the preparation of sweets or liqueurs (for further information, we refer you to the recipe for licorice liqueur ).
Wild licorice
Wild licorice or false licorice has nothing to do with edible licorice . Wild licorice, botanical name “Astragalus glycyphyllos”, is a small herbaceous shrub with a creeping habit, belonging to the Fabaceae family. The roots of wild licorice are fasciculate and very sugary, they can be dried and used to make tea.
How to Grow Licorice
It is possible to grow the licorice plant in a pot or in the garden.
Given its origins, licorice grows well in Southern Italy but can also adapt to the North, where winters are less clement. The species Glycyrrhiza glabra is a very rustic plant , so it resists frost well.
When to Grow Licorice
Sowing licorice can take place between February and March. You just need to place the seeds on the already moist substrate and cover them with a layer of soft soil. Before harvesting the stolons (roots of licorice) you will have to have the patience to wait three to four years.
For sowing you can use Glycyrrhiza glabra seeds purchased in a nursery or by taking advantage of online shopping. On Amazon, “ at this address ”, you can find various offers of packets of licorice seeds.
When to harvest licorice
The harvest of licorice roots can take place from September to late November but only from the third year of the plant’s life, when the roots will be sufficiently developed and rich in those active ingredients that make them so “special”. After harvesting, licorice roots can be stored for long periods after drying.
Transplanting the licorice plant
Those who do not want to start growing licorice from seed can directly purchase the seedlings ready for planting, which are more difficult to find but will certainly shorten the waiting time.
We advise you to pay close attention when purchasing: make sure you buy a licorice plant for food and not just for ornamental use. Some species of licorice, in fact, are grown for ornamental purposes only.
Choose organic plants and for a healthy development of the root system, we recommend growing licorice in the garden or in very large pots. Remember that licorice can develop stolons up to 2 meters long, so cultivation in pots should be dedicated exclusively to the ornamental licorice plant .
If you really can’t do without it, in order to allow the roots to develop , we recommend using a pot that is at least 60 cm deep.
