Liquorice Root
Hedysarum occidentalefam. Fabaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 425D — Hedysarum occidentale
Hedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentaleHedysarum occidentale
IOverview
Overview
Liquorice Root (Hedysarum occidentale) is a perennial herb native to the western United States and Canada, found in British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This plant thrives in full sun and moist conditions, adapting well to light, medium, and heavy soils. Known for its edible root, which can be used in various culinary applications, Liquorice Root is a distinctive forb that grows up to 0.1 meters tall. Its hardiness ranges from zones 4-8, making it suitable for gardens in these regions.
Quick answers
What is Liquorice Root?
Liquorice Root (Hedysarum occidentale) is a perennial herb native to the western United States and Canada, found in British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This plant thrives in full sun and moist conditions, adapting well to light, medium, and heavy soils.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Liquorice Root thrives in full sun and requires moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and is a perennial forb/herb reaching heights of about 0.1 meters. For propagation, root cuttings are effective. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist to support healthy growth.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.1 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Liquorice Root for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Liquorice Root in a sunny spot and follow these simple steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
Liquorice root seeds or young plants, a garden trowel, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring after the last frost or late summer for better root development.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy. Ensure the area gets full sun.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1 cm deep in rows spaced 30-45 cm apart. Transplant young plants when they have several leaves.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering. Fertilize sparingly with compost in early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back the plant after flowering to encourage new growth and prevent self-seeding.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch, not providing enough sunlight, and failing to prune regularly.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The root of Liquorice Root (Hedysarum occidentale) is the edible part used in various preparations. Typically, it is dried and then ground into a powder or steeped to make tea. It can also be cooked or used raw in certain applications. Skip the specific recipes; focus on these general uses instead.
Other uses:Nitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
7 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
7 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 7 native
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Fabaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Fabaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 425d2551-1914-4ee5-b34a-2d4b80387ced
Decision aid
Choosing between Liquorice Root and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.