Glycyrrhiza glabra
Herbs

Licorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice · Light: Full sun · Water: Moderate. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightFull sun
WaterModerate
DifficultyEasy
CategoryHerbs
Account →
Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Licorice — Growing reference

Scientific nameGlycyrrhiza glabra
Seed germination (days)14–21
Soil temperature for germination (°C)18.3–23.9
First harvest or flowering (days)1095–1460
Measured fromSeed
Plant spacing (cm)45.7–61
Mature height (cm)91.4–152.4
Mature spread (cm)45.7–76.2
USDA hardiness zones6–11
LightFull sun
WaterModerate
Sowing methodindoor-start

Growing directions

Scarify seed coat lightly with sandpaper or soak overnight before sowing 1/4 in deep in warm starting mix; germination improves significantly with this treatment. Plant in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun — licorice develops an extensive, deep root system and resents being moved. Roots are ready to harvest in the third or fourth autumn when they are at least pencil-thick, digging carefully to extract as much of the lateral root run as possible. The dried root is used medicinally as a demulcent and anti-inflammatory for digestive and respiratory conditions; note that excessive consumption raises blood pressure.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · licorice

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗