Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Herb
Liquorice: when and how to prune
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Liquorice is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–August |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Liquorice: when to prune it?
No pruning is needed; cut off the dead foliage in March.
What else to prune in those months? March
Liquorice: how to prune it?
- Cut the withered stems down to a few centimetres above the ground in late winter, in March.
- Also remove damaged or weak foliage.
- Remove runners that come up in the wrong place.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Liquorice spreads by underground runners and, with its deep roots, is hard to get rid of. Plant it where it may spread, or restrict it with a root barrier at least 40–60 cm deep.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.