Glycyrrhiza glabra — better known as Liquorice — is a small shrub grown for its sweet, bitter roots, which can be sliced, dried, or powdered for teas, skincare, confectionery, and herbal remedies. The roots take about two years to reach harvest size.
🌞 Growing Conditions
Liquorice grows in the ground but thrives especially well in large pots. It prefers sunny, well-drained locations; too much shade can reduce flowering.
- Poor sandy soils slow growth and cause nutrient deficiencies.
- Sandy or loamy soils enriched with organic matter encourage multiple shoots, which in turn feed thicker, healthier roots.
❄️ Harvest Timing
Roots are traditionally harvested in winter, when the plant is dormant. In our region, however, the long, cold, dry season followed by a long, hot, dry season can make survival tricky unless conditions are carefully managed.
🌧️ Propagation and Seasonal Challenges
We separated and propagated Liquorice from the roots and crowns during the rainy season. Some roots can be harvested now, but because they hold more water at this time of year, they’ll need a longer drying period.
🪴 Growing in Polybags
We’ll allow the remaining roots to grow through the polybags over the next two years, then harvest them in winter.
Key care notes:
- Keep the roots covered with soil, leaving only the shoots exposed.
- Ensure excellent drainage in pots and polybags.
- Water immediately after planting and check again after the rains to make sure excess water drains away — preventing root rot is essential.
#LoveHomeGrown
