How to Grow a White Licorice Plant
Though not the source of actual licorice (or even white licorice tea) the white licorice plant is a sweet treat for any garden. Its lush silver leaves are covered in a soft fur with a pale gray underside, which gives them an ethereal beauty that is completely out of keeping with their toughness. White licorice is one of the easiest plants to grow. They are drought resistant, do not attract pests and are not at all fussy about what kind of soil the live in. Growing white licorice from cuttings is very simple, and transplanting doesn't seem to bother them. White licorice thrives especially well in containers and hanging pots, because it tends to grow out, rather than up. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Mix three parts of potting soil to one part of vermiculite. Don't worry if the proportions are not exact; the vermiculite just helps aerate the soil and add a little extra nutrition.
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Fill your hanging pot or container half full with the potting soil and vermiculite mixture. Moisten, don't soak, it.
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Place the white licorice cutting gently in the pot and fill in the space around its roots with more potting soil. Tamp it down, but don't pack it too tightly.
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Water your cutting generously, but don't soak it. Put it in a warm place that gets plenty of indirect sunlight.
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Plant your white licorice outdoors after the last frost has passed. Place it in sandy soil with plenty of drainage. Don't let it dry out completely between watering.
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Tips & Warnings
White licorice brings out the color in more brightly-hued plants, so use it as a ground cover and filler in your garden.
White licorice is prone to root-rot, so don't over water.
