When to plant Licorice in Arid Australia

Arid zone — applies to Alice Springs, Mildura, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Port Augusta and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Subtropical · Tropical.

Licorice is not recommended for arid gardens under normal conditions, and no reliable sowing window applies here. Although the plant tolerates heat, it is a slow, thirsty legume that needs deep, consistently moist, fertile soil over one to two years (365–730 days) to build the fleshy roots it is grown for, and the low humidity, quick-draining soils and irrigation demands of Alice Springs and Kalgoorlie make this hard to sustain. Seed also germinates slowly and erratically over 20–30 days. Unless you can commit to deep, reliable watering for two full seasons, choose a less demanding perennial herb.

Sowing calendar — arid zone

No sowing window in this zone.

Growing notes

Licorice is a Mediterranean legume that, on paper, likes sun and heat, so arid gardeners sometimes assume it will thrive. The catch is water and patience. The plant sends down deep roots and takes one to two years to build the thick, sweet rhizomes that are harvested, and throughout that time it wants soil that stays deeply moist and rich. In arid country, keeping the root zone consistently damp for two years is a heavy and continuous irrigation commitment that most home gardens struggle to meet.

If you decide to try, the realistic path is a deeply prepared, generously enriched bed with a permanent watering setup and thick mulch. Raise seedlings and transplant at 30–50 cm spacing in rows about 60 cm across, expecting slow, patchy germination over 20–30 days. The failure mode to plan for is stalled, woody, thin roots from drought stress: any prolonged dry spell over the long growing period sets the plant back and the harvest suffers.

For most gardeners in Mildura or Broken Hill, the effort and water are better spent elsewhere. If you want a reliable, drought-hardy perennial herb, hyssop or lemon balm give far more return for the water. Reserve licorice for the rare situation where you have deep soil and water to spare.

Licorice at a glance

Common questions

can you grow licorice in arid Australia

It is not recommended, because although licorice tolerates heat, it needs deep, consistently moist, rich soil for one to two years to form usable roots. Meeting that watering demand in a dry climate is difficult and expensive. Most gardeners get better results from a hardier perennial herb.

how long does licorice take to grow

The roots take one to two years, roughly 365–730 days, before they are thick enough to harvest. Seed also germinates slowly over 20–30 days. This long, thirsty timeline is the main reason the crop struggles in arid gardens.

what herb can I grow instead of licorice in the desert

Hyssop and lemon balm are far more forgiving and give a quicker, more reliable return for the water. Both handle arid conditions well with basic shade and mulch. Save licorice for a situation with deep soil and water to spare.

why are my licorice roots thin and woody

Drought stress over the long growing period is the usual cause, and arid gardens make it hard to avoid. Any prolonged dry spell stalls root development and leaves them stringy. Consistent deep watering and a thick mulch across two full seasons are essential.

Keep exploring