American licorice
Glycyrrhiza lepidota
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterNeeds moist soil
Sizeup to 4 feet tall
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) is a perennial for meadow gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and moist, clay soil. It grows up to 4 feet tall and has cream flowers crowded on a spike in early to mid summer. Butterflies visit the blooms. The brown fruit has hooked spines, and the root tastes like licorice.
Pairs well with White baneberry, Meadowsweet, and Marginal wood fern.
Native range
AR, AZ, CA, CO, and 29 more places. See all 33
AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, ME, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY; AB, MB, and SK.