Licorice plant

The licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) is a versatile evergreen subshrub belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is widely cultivated for its attractive, felt-like, silver-grey foliage, which provides a striking contrast in garden beds and container arrangements.

Native to South Africa, this plant thrives in warm, temperate climates. While it is a perennial in its native range, it is typically grown as an annual in colder regions or as a container plant that must be moved indoors before the first frost, as it lacks significant cold hardiness.

Botanically, the plant features trailing or mounding stems covered in small, rounded, woolly leaves. This dense, silvery pubescence is a key adaptation, helping the plant reflect sunlight and reduce water loss through transpiration, allowing it to withstand periods of limited water availability.

Agronomic requirements are straightforward: the plant demands full sun exposure and requires well-draining, slightly sandy soil. Overwatering is the most common mistake in its cultivation, as the roots are highly susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Regular pruning helps to maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourages denser foliage growth.

In landscaping, it is used extensively as a filler plant in mixed containers, hanging baskets, and as a groundcover. While generally robust, the plant can be affected by root rot due to poor drainage and may attract pests such as aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites, particularly when kept in confined greenhouse conditions.