Liquorice question

[mrbadexample]

Hello Alys.

I've just ordered a two-year old liquorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Can you tell me how best to care for it please? I intend to grow it in a pot to prevent it from becoming invasive.

Thanks
MBE

[Alys Fowler]

I remember chewing on wild liquorice whilst walking in the French Alps. There it grew in full sun in rich, rocky soils (so the roots were very forked). It’s going to need full sun, rich, but very free draining soil and regular watering. If you want to harvest decent roots it’s going to need to be in a very deep pot (the plant can grow as large as 1.5 metres tall). You harvest in winter taking the top portion of the root and the rest should re-grow. It’s a good bee plant, too.

[mrbadexample]

Thank you.