We suppose it will depend on the area but in ours we are used to going down the street and seeing a small stall (like the chestnut stall) where they sell liquorice . There are those who love it and others who are not so defenders. If the first case is yours … have you tried to take the step of cultivating it yourself? Easy and simple with some tips that we will give you. Let’s try!

A VERY SIMPLE WAY TO EAT OUR OWN LICORICE

Although practically everyone knows this plant as licorice , it has a little-known scientific name that is difficult to pronounce. It is known as Glycyrrhiza glabra , and belongs to a very common family that is the Fabaceae.

For the first time in a long time we have the honor of presenting a plant of European origin , although also, and specifically from the Mediterranean area, although another origin that would be Asia Minor has also been studied.

What we take advantage of from the plant is the root, since it has a somewhat bittersweet and aniseed flavor . Although you do not take it directly as we can do (bite it little by little), it is a condiment widely used in gastronomy, both to make beers, desserts, candies and pharmacy products.

CLIMATOLOGY IN LICORICE CULTIVATION

Due to the size it acquires, it is a plant that is grown in full sun within an eminently Mediterranean climate . You have to be careful with frost because it has many weak parts, but ultimately we will not have any problem as long as the sustenance of the plant (its roots) are well protected from the cold.

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

We define the ideal soil for licorice in a deep soil (given the thickness of its roots), with a sandy , humid texture and with a good content of organic matter , that is, a fertile soil.

IRRIGATION AND SUBSCRIBER

Before, talking about the characteristics of the soil, we specified that you needed a moist soil . Let’s go over there. Think that licorice can be found in river or lake beds, where access to water is very easy, and the substrate is loaded with moisture. We have to bring these conditions to our garden, with continuous watering, without being excessive, and always leaving the soil with a little moisture.

As for the  fertilizer, it  needs a good content of organic matter in the soil. It will be enough with periodic contributions of manure or compost that we will produce at home .

WHEN CAN WE COLLECT?

To start thinking about collecting that delicacy that is licorice, we have to wait 3 years of caring for the plant. This is so since the roots have to be strengthened and this minimum time is considered as such. Once the plant is that age, we can collect the licorice for a long time, which ranges from October to March.

Harvesting is sacrificed, since it consists of pulling or cutting its roots, but the reward is very good. If we know how to do it well, it will have no problem in sprouting again , so we will have licorice for a long time.

LICORICE MULTIPLICATION

If you want to evolve one more degree and dedicate yourself to the trade and sale of liquorice, this should be the best part for you. 😉

Licorice can be multiplied from the seeds or suckers that appear close to the trunk. This last way is the fastest and most comfortable to execute.

Another very curious way to obtain a new plant is to take a piece of licorice a few centimeters long and put it in a glass of water. We will leave it long enough until we see some small shoots grow. That will be the right time to transplant it to a pot or our garden.