Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Fabaceae) - Licorice

Yes, you can grow licorice in Central Vermont! The hardy zone 4 plant grows 2-3 ft. tall, has pinnate leaves and purple to pale blue flowers in the Summer. Thrives with heat, full sun and well drained soils. It is an important ingredient in many herbal mixes adding sweetness and palatability to any herbal concoction. The sweetness in the roots comes from glycyrrhizin, a compound with 30 to 50 times the sweetness of sugar. The name comes from the Greek, glukus, meaning sugar and rhiza meaning root.There are other species we are also trying out.