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

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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:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
purple, blue, white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
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:
Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–28 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat required; soak in hot water or mechanically nick. Cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires soaking 24-48 hrs; discard floaters.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society