Cultivated Licorice: The Sweet Root That’s Not So Sweet for Native Gardens
Ever wondered about growing your own licorice? Cultivated licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) might seem like a fascinating addition to your garden, especially if you’re drawn to plants with culinary or medicinal uses. But before you dig in, there are some important things to know about this perennial herb that could influence your gardening decisions.
What Exactly Is Cultivated Licorice?
Cultivated licorice is a perennial forb—essentially a non-woody herbaceous plant that comes back year after year. Think of it as a sturdy herb rather than a shrub or tree. It develops a deep taproot system and spreads through underground rhizomes, creating colonies over time. The plant produces compound leaves with small leaflets and sends up spikes of small purple or white flowers that eventually develop into small seed pods.
The Native Status Dilemma
Here’s where things get interesting: cultivated licorice isn’t native to North America. Originally from southern Europe and southwestern Asia, this plant has made itself at home in parts of the American West. Currently, you can find it growing wild in California, Nevada, and Utah, where it reproduces on its own without any human assistance.
While it’s not currently classified as invasive or noxious, its ability to spread through rhizomes and establish persistent populations means it’s worth considering carefully before planting.
Garden Appeal and Design Role
From an aesthetic standpoint, cultivated licorice offers a somewhat understated charm. It grows in an upright, bushy form and can reach 3-5 feet in height with a similar spread. The compound leaves provide a fine-textured appearance, and the flower spikes add vertical interest during blooming season. Its primary appeal, however, lies in its historical use as a source of natural licorice flavoring from its roots.
In garden design, cultivated licorice works best in:
- Herb gardens focused on medicinal or culinary plants
- Mediterranean-style gardens
- Areas where naturalization is acceptable
- Large spaces where spreading won’t be problematic
Growing Conditions and Care
If you decide to grow cultivated licorice, it’s relatively straightforward but does have specific needs:
Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, making it suitable for warmer regions.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Soil: Needs deep, well-draining soil to accommodate its substantial taproot. Heavy clay or shallow soils won’t work well.
Water: Moderate water needs. Once established, it shows good drought tolerance, but consistent moisture during the growing season promotes better growth.
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Starting cultivated licorice requires some patience. You can grow it from seeds or root divisions, with divisions being more reliable. Plant in spring after the last frost, giving each plant plenty of space—at least 2-3 feet apart—since they will spread.
The deep taproot means transplanting established plants is challenging, so choose your location carefully. If you’re growing it for root harvest, plan to wait 3-4 years before the roots develop their characteristic licorice compounds.
Be prepared to manage its spreading habit. The rhizomes can send up new shoots several feet from the parent plant, so you may want to install root barriers or be ready to remove unwanted sprouts regularly.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
The flowers do attract bees and other small pollinators during blooming season, providing some ecological value. However, as a non-native species, it doesn’t offer the same level of support to native wildlife that indigenous plants provide.
Should You Plant It?
The decision comes down to your specific goals and garden situation. Cultivated licorice might work for you if:
- You have plenty of space and don’t mind its spreading nature
- You’re specifically interested in growing plants for their historical or medicinal uses
- You live in zones 7-10 with appropriate growing conditions
- You have deep, well-draining soil
However, you might want to skip it if:
- You have limited garden space
- You prioritize supporting native ecosystems
- You prefer low-maintenance plants
- Your soil is shallow or poorly draining
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of cultivated licorice but want to support native ecosystems, consider these alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda species) for pollinator-friendly herbs
- Native mint species for spreading, aromatic plants
- Regional native legumes that fix nitrogen and support wildlife
Whatever you choose, remember that every plant in your garden is a vote for the kind of ecosystem you want to support. While cultivated licorice isn’t necessarily harmful, native plants almost always provide greater benefits to local wildlife and contribute to healthier, more resilient landscapes.
