When to plant Licorice in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Raise licorice seedlings from August to November, sowing into deep pots and transplanting carefully to avoid disturbing the taproot. Seed is slow and hard-coated, germinating over 20–30 days, and is best nicked or soaked before sowing at 5 mm deep. This is a long-haul crop: the roots you harvest take 365–730 days, or one to two years, to develop worthwhile sweetness. Space plants 30–50 cm apart in rows about 60 cm wide. In Brisbane and Lismore gardens the warm growing season suits licorice well, though you are planting for patience, not a quick return.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: August to November.

Growing notes

Licorice is a hardy leguminous perennial grown for its sweet roots, and it enjoys the subtropical warmth provided you get the drainage right. Give it full sun and a deep, loose, free-draining soil, ideally sandy loam, since the plant sends down a long taproot and spreading runners that resent sitting wet. Plant on a mound or raised bed in the Sunshine Coast wet zone and the crop settles in well.

The defining feature of growing licorice is the wait. You are looking at one to two years before the roots are thick and sweet enough to lift, so the failure mode most people hit is simply harvesting too early and getting thin, bland roots. Resist the urge, feed and water the plant well through its first summers, and let the root system build. When you do harvest, in the second autumn or later, lift a section of root and leave the crown to keep growing.

Waterlogging is the real killer in our climate. In a humid Coffs Harbour wet season, heavy soil holds water around the roots and they rot, so drainage matters more than anything else you do. Once established the plant is drought-hardy and largely pest-free, spreading by underground runners, which means you can grow next year's plants from divisions. Keep it in a defined bed, as it will wander if left unchecked.

Licorice at a glance

Common questions

How long does licorice take to grow?

A long time. The roots need one to two years, roughly 365 to 730 days, to develop worthwhile sweetness, so licorice is a crop for the patient. Harvesting earlier gives you thin, bland roots. Feed and water well through the early summers while the root system builds.

How do I germinate licorice seed?

The seed is hard-coated and slow, taking 20 to 30 days, so nick or soak it before sowing at 5 mm deep to help water penetrate. Sow into deep pots to accommodate the taproot and transplant carefully. Patience is needed at this stage too.

Does licorice grow well in the subtropics?

Yes, the warmth suits it, but drainage is critical. In a humid wet season heavy, waterlogged soil rots the roots, so plant on a mound or raised bed of free-draining sandy loam. Once established it is drought-hardy and largely pest-free.

Will licorice spread in my garden?

It can, since it spreads by underground runners and will wander if left unchecked. Grow it in a defined bed, and use the runners and divisions to start new plants. Lift a root section at harvest and leave the crown to keep growing.

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