Licorice plant
Licorice plant works well in dense block plantings or as the quiet backing for a potted flower display. It’s the ultimate mixer plant, says
Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) is unique in the world of garden plants. This small shrub with the spectacular growth rate of an annual is the ‘mixer’ par excellence, the ‘soda water’ of the plant world – it’s perfectly worthy on its own, but forms the basis of so many great combinations.
In the wild, the species is intensely silver-grey. Silveriness is usually a response to high levels of radiation, in either alpine or hot, dry zones, and is produced by either waxiness or hairiness. In this case, it’s the latter, and each small, heart-shaped leaf is lined with a fine, velvety fuzz of highly tactile softness, which gives off a faint licorice scent.
The plant has a curious growth habit, sending out long stems horizontally, as if feeling out the territory, before branching out and filling the space behind the leader. This is what makes it perfect as a companion in mixed company – with more colourful perennials or annuals, such as calibrachoa or petunias – in garden beds, pots or hanging baskets. Once these plants begin to mingle, stems of silver – a colour that goes with virtually anything – emerge here and there, jutting through and out of the mix as if you’ve carefully interwoven them, when, in fact, the licorice plant has done it without any help at all.
growing advice
Licorice plant hails from South Africa and is very drought tolerant. It’s at its best in full sun to very light shade. It demands perfect drainage and isn’t at all fond of humidity. The plant will survive light frosts and will likely shoot back strongly as the warm weather arrives. In very frosty areas, it needs to be grown as a warm-season annual, but it grows so extraordinarily fast that this isn’t really a problem. Similarly, if summer humidity is an issue, it could be enjoyed as a cool-season annual.
Though its natural habit is quite angular, licorice plant is surprisingly agreeable to being clipped into shape – particularly into soft, flowing, organic lumps and bumps. Of course, with something so fast-growing, very regular clipping will be required to maintain a crisp outline. But if you have the time and inclination, why not? The stems are so soft that you feel like you’re cutting through butter, and most gardeners love the very tasks of gardening, after all!
Use trimmings as cuttings, which strike easily. Insert firm, ‘ripe’ (semi-hardwood) stems 5–8cm long, stripped of lower leaves, into potting mix. When stripping the leaves, pull upwards to avoid tearing the stem and making it prone to decay.
Though primarily grown for its foliage, licorice plant does bloom. The flowers have a unique beauty, creating flattish ‘plates’ of small, white, everlasting-like daisies. After flowering, give plants either a light trim or a heavy prune, according to your desires, or your nature!