Licorice Plant Propagation

Starting Licorice Seeds Indoors

• Germination takes two to three weeks with another three to four weeks for the seedlings to develop. Start licorice seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. When the ground thaws, the seedlings will be big enough to move out to the garden. Start licorice seeds in a seed-starting flat filled with seed-starting compost. Place the seeds on top of the seed-starting mix. Licorice seeds need light to germinate, so don't cover them. Keep the seeds between 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Starting Licorice Seeds Outdoors

• Starting licorice seeds outdoors in spring in areas that have an early spring and a long growing season. Wait until the last frost and then begin checking the soil temperature. When it warms up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, plant the licorice seeds. Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch soil. The covering protects the seeds from blowing or washing away while allowing enough light to penetrate for germination.

Propagating Licorice in Frost-Free Climates

• In USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, plant licorice seeds outdoors in the fall. Cover the seeds with 1/8 inch soil. This climate is closest to the plant's native range. Outside of cultivation, plants develop and self-sow seeds in the fall. The seeds germinate during the mild, damp winters. In mild climates, suitable times to starting seeds indoors or outdoors are in spring or fall.

Transplanting Licorice Seedlings

• Whether you start licorice seeds indoors or outdoors in nursery beds, they will eventually need to be transplanted into a permanent spot. The first two leaves to emerge after germination are called seed leaves. Wait until the plant develops two more true leaves before planting out. Plant licorice in full sun or partial shade. The plants can tolerate nutritionally poor, rocky soil but will suffer in wet, heavy soil. Space licorice plants 1 to 2 feet apart.