Wild Licorice, Heirloom Herb Seeds

Wild Licorice, Heirloom Herb Seeds — The Native American Licorice Root With 50x the Sweetness of Sugar

Wild Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) is the North American native cousin of the licorice used in candy and traditional medicine worldwide — a deep-rooted perennial in the pea family whose long, tough brown roots carry a sweet licorice flavor from about 6% glycyrrhizin content, making them 50 times sweeter than sugar. Native Americans used the roots as food and medicine for generations: tender young shoots are eaten raw in spring, the root is chewed as a natural teeth cleaner and flavoring, and slow-roasted root tastes remarkably like sweet potato. A beneficial companion plant that fixes nitrogen, accumulates nutrients, and supports beneficial insects — it improves your garden as it grows.

Slow to establish in year one as it builds its deep root system; vigorous and long-lived from year two onward.

Why Grow Wild Licorice?

• 50x sweeter than sugar — from natural glycyrrhizin content, not added sweeteners
• Native American food and medicine — roots, shoots, and leaves all traditionally used
• Natural teeth cleaner — chew the root for a traditional herbal tooth cleanser
• Nitrogen-fixing companion plant — improves soil and supports beneficial insects
• Deep-rooted perennial — long-lived and increasingly productive over time
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Soak seeds in 180°F water and let soak overnight before planting. Direct sow ¼ inch deep in late fall or early spring in moist, sandy soil. To start indoors, sow in peat pots 6–8 weeks before last frost at 70°F; keep soil lightly moist. Germination: 14–21 days. Transplant carefully — tap roots are sensitive. Keep soil moist as seedlings develop. Slow in year one; vigorous from year two onward.

Packet size: 0.25 mg / 30+ seeds
Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated, Perennial
Plant height: 16–40 inches
Sun: Full sun to part shade
USDA Zones: 4–11