When to plant Licorice in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Raise licorice from seedlings and transplant out, sowing in spring from September to November once the soil has warmed. This hardy perennial legume is slow from seed, germinating in 20–30 days, and slower still to yield: the sweet roots take one to two years, roughly 365–730 days, before they are worth harvesting. Sow at 5 mm depth, then space transplants 30–50 cm apart with 60 cm between rows to give the deep, running roots room. In temperate gardens around Adelaide and Perth, with their warm, dry summers, licorice is a genuinely long-term project rather than a quick crop.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: September to November.

Growing notes

Licorice is a Mediterranean perennial legume grown for its sweet taproot, and patience is the whole game. Do not expect to harvest anything useful for at least a full year, and preferably two, while the roots build up their characteristic sweetness. Plant it somewhere permanent where it can stay undisturbed.

Give it full sun and deep, free-draining, sandy soil; its long roots resent heavy clay and waterlogging. Warm, dry-summer temperate gardens around Adelaide and Perth suit it particularly well, mimicking its native Mediterranean range. Water through the first two summers to establish the plant, then ease off, as it is quite drought-tolerant once its roots are deep.

The main failure mode is impatience combined with wet feet. Gardeners either dig the roots far too early and find them thin and flavourless, or plant into heavy, poorly drained soil where the roots rot over a wet winter. The fixes are to wait the full one to two years and to plant into raised, sandy, sharply drained ground.

Be aware, too, that like many legumes licorice spreads by underground runners once established and can be hard to remove later, so choose its position carefully. Harvest roots in autumn or winter of the second year onward, taking a portion and letting the rest keep growing.

Licorice at a glance

Common questions

How long does licorice take to grow before harvest?

Licorice roots need one to two years, around 365–730 days, before they develop their sweet flavour. Harvesting earlier gives thin, bland roots, so patience is essential with this crop.

What soil does licorice need?

Deep, free-draining, sandy soil in full sun suits licorice best, matching its Mediterranean origins. Heavy clay and waterlogged ground cause the roots to rot, so improve drainage or use a raised bed.

Can I grow licorice in Adelaide?

Yes, Adelaide's warm, dry summers are well suited to licorice. Plant in spring, water through the first couple of summers to establish it, then ease off, as the plant is drought-tolerant once its roots run deep.

Does licorice spread in the garden?

Yes, like many legumes it spreads by underground runners once established and can be difficult to remove later. Choose a permanent, contained position and plant it where a bit of spread is acceptable.

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