Glycyrrhiza glabra. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Licorice. The plant produces good yields of licorice. It is a popular herb prized for its sweet roots, which contain glycyrrhizin, up to 50 times sweeter than sugar. It is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Used to make delicious candy, liquor, and sweetener for tea, flavorings, traditional medicine, and other products. It is known to help treat throat, stomach, urinary, and intestinal problems. The plant features silvery-green foliage and produces small white, blue, purple, or lavender flowers in summer, followed by seed pods. Drought Tolerant. Deer Resistant. Rabbit Resistant. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the Mediterranean region.
Note: Licorice seeds have a hard coat and often show low or erratic germination without pretreatment.
Seeds Per Pound: 48,000
Plant Height: 3 to 5 ft tall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Planting Method: Indoor Sow/Direct Sow (Direct Sow outdoors after frost risk passes and when soil is warm, 75°F).
Planting Instructions
Scarification: Gently rub with fine sandpaper or nick the coat.
Cold Stratification: Refrigerate for 2 to 4 weeks (or up to 2 to 3 months) in a moist medium to improve germination.
Planting Instructions: Soak in room-temperature or warm water for 12–24 hours. Plant seeds ¼" deep. Cover lightly with a thin layer of Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Mix and water gently.
Plant Thinning: Thin plants to 24 to 36" apart, rows about 24 to 36" apart.
Soil Facts: Requires well-prepared soil. Prepare the bed by loosening the soil to a depth of 8–10 inches and mixing in compost or well-rotted manure. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogging.
Fertilizer: Use a general-purpose fertilizer when preparing the soil.
Germination: 14 to 21 days (sometimes longer - up to 45 to 60 days) at 75 F. Roots are typically harvested in the fall of the second or third year for full maturity.