Is licorice hardy enough to grow outdoors in Canada?

Only in the warmest parts of the country — licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is rated to roughly Zone 6, which covers the mildest parts of southern Ontario and coastal BC but excludes most of the rest of Canada without protection. In marginal zones (5 and below), a thick winter mulch improves the odds, but survival still isn't guaranteed the way it is with a truly hardy Zone 3–4 perennial.

How long does it take to harvest licorice root?

Three to four years at minimum — licorice roots need this long to bulk up to a worthwhile harvesting size, considerably longer than most herbs grown for their roots. This is a genuine commitment: licorice isn't a quick-turnaround crop, and gardeners expecting a harvestable root in year one will be disappointed.

What soil does licorice need to grow well?

Deep, loose, well-drained soil is important, since the plant develops a long taproot (similar in principle to comfrey) that struggles in compacted or rocky ground. A raised bed or naturally deep, friable soil gives the roots room to develop properly over their multi-year growing period.

When should I plant licorice in Canada?

Direct sow or transplant after your last frost date, or start seed indoors 6–8 weeks earlier — licorice seed can be slow and somewhat unreliable to germinate, so soaking seed beforehand and using fresh seed improves the odds. Given the multi-year timeline to harvest, exact first-year timing matters far less than simply getting the plant established as early as reasonably possible.

Is licorice a legume, and does that matter for the garden?

Yes — licorice is in the pea/bean family and, like other legumes, fixes atmospheric nitrogen in its roots via a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, modestly enriching the soil it grows in. This is a secondary benefit worth knowing about, though it's a minor factor compared to the root-harvest timeline in deciding whether to grow it.

Should I grow licorice in a container to control its hardiness risk?

A large container is a genuine option in marginal zones, since it lets you move the plant to a sheltered spot or unheated garage for winter rather than gambling on in-ground survival — similar to how tender Mediterranean herbs are managed. Given the plant's eventual size and deep root, a large, deep container is needed rather than anything small.

CANADA GROWING GUIDE

Growing Licorice in Canada — Marginal, and a Multi-Year Wait

Hardy only to roughly Zone 6 — a realistic outdoor perennial in just the warmest parts of the country. Even there, the sweet root takes 3–4 years to develop. An honest look at whether it's worth trying.

Licorice sits at the marginal edge of what most of Canada can grow outdoors — Zone 6 hardiness limits reliable in-ground survival to the mildest pockets of southern Ontario and coastal BC.

Even where the zone works, the honest expectation is patience: licorice roots need 3–4 years to develop before they're worth harvesting, considerably longer than most root herbs.

Growing licorice in Canada: hardy only to roughly Zone 6 — the warmest parts of southern Ontario and coastal BC; marginal-to-unreliable elsewhere without heavy winter protection. Roots need 3–4 years to develop before harvesting. Needs deep, loose soil for its long taproot; a large container is a genuine option in marginal zones.

Will licorice thrive where you garden?

Check your hardiness zone and your city's exact frost dates first — two free tools.

📍 Find Your Zone ❄️ Frost Dates

🌱 Need seeds? West Coast Seeds (a BC company) sells untreated, Canadian-grown herb seed.

🥦 Shop herb seeds at West Coast Seeds →

Is Licorice Worth Growing in Your Zone?

Check your zone honestly before committing years of garden space to licorice. Zone 6 and warmer gives it a realistic shot at surviving outdoors long-term; Zone 5 and colder means treating it as a container plant moved to shelter for winter, or accepting a real risk of winterkill.

A large container is a genuine hedge in marginal zones — it lets the plant move to a sheltered garage or similar spot for winter rather than gambling on in-ground survival.

Whichever route you take, budget the time: a harvestable root is a 3–4 year project, not a first-season one. This is the honest expectation to set before planting.

Growing Licorice Successfully

Deep, loose soil

The long taproot needs room to develop. A raised bed or naturally deep, friable soil gives the roots the best chance over their multi-year growth period.