Cultivated Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Glycyrrhiza
- Species:
- Glycyrrhiza glabra
- USDA Symbol:
- GLGL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers deep, nutrient-rich soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break hard seed coat; germination occurs in 2-4 weeks at 20-25°C.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.