How to Grow Silver Licorice Plant
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Silver Licorice Plant
Helichrysum petiolare
shrubSilver licorice plant is a tender perennial shrub prized for its soft, silvery-gray foliage and trailing or mounding growth habit. The plant produces small, inconspicuous pale yellow flowers, but is primarily grown for its attractive velvety leaves that have a subtle licorice-like aroma when brushed. It's an excellent choice for containers, hanging baskets, and as a foliage accent in mixed plantings.
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Example Silver Licorice Plant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Silver Licorice Plant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Silver Licorice Plant
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Silver Licorice Plant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9-11; grown as an annual in cooler climates
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with simple opposite leaves; very delicate and fine-textured growth
Provide bright light but not direct sun; maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging; thin seedlings to prevent damping off; consider bottom heat for germination (60-70°F)
Establishment
3-4 weeksPlants develop true foliage with characteristic silvery-gray color; low mounding or spreading growth begins; plant becomes sturdier
Gradually acclimate to full sun if growing outdoors; begin light fertilizing; pinch growing tips to encourage bushier, fuller growth; ensure good drainage
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeksVigorous trailing or spreading growth with increasingly abundant soft, silvery foliage; plant reaches mature size and form
Maintain full sun exposure for best foliage color; fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer; pinch back leggy growth to maintain compact form; water when dry
Flowering
6-8 weeksSmall, pale yellow button-like flowers appear along stems among the foliage; not showy but add subtle texture
Deadheading is optional as flowers are not the main attraction; continue regular watering and fertilizing; flowers are short-lived
Maintenance
Variable, until frost or end of seasonPlant reaches full maturity with trailing stems cascading from containers or spreading horizontally; foliage remains silvery and attractive throughout season
Reduce fertilizing in fall; cut back severely before winter if overwintering indoors; monitor for spider mites in dry conditions; maintain good air circulation
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide if severe; avoid hot, dry conditions that favor mites
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with insecticidal soap; inspect regularly and isolate affected plants
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air circulation
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; spray with sulfur or fungicide if needed; remove affected leaves
Uses
Ornamental Foliage & Container Gardening
HouseholdSilver licorice plant is widely used as a trailing accent plant in hanging baskets, container gardens, and mixed planters where its silvery foliage provides elegant contrast to colorful flowering plants. The soft texture and color make it a favorite for outdoor patio arrangements and indoor decorative displays. [source]
Dried Floral & Craft Arrangements
CraftThe foliage retains its attractive silvery color when dried and is often used in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects for texture and neutral color palettes. The leaves can be dried naturally or pressed for various craft applications. [source]
Fragrance & Aromatics
HouseholdWhen gently brushed or handled, the silvery foliage releases a subtle, pleasant licorice-like aroma that can freshen a room. Some gardeners use sprigs in dried potpourri or as a mild fragrance accent in home décor. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe small pale yellow flowers attract bees and other pollinators during the flowering period, providing nectar and pollen sources for beneficial insects in garden spaces. [source]
Harvest Tips
This plant is grown for foliage rather than harvested for yield. Pinch back stems regularly to encourage bushier growth and maintain shape. Cuttings can be propagated easily in spring or summer for creating new plants. Foliage can be used fresh for its subtle fragrance in dried arrangements.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Despite its common name 'licorice plant,' this species contains no licorice (glycyrrhizin); the name refers only to the subtle licorice-like scent of the foliage when crushed.
- 🌱 Silver licorice plant is native to South Africa and has become popular worldwide as a tender annual or indoor plant, thriving in warm climates and containers.
- 🌱 The plant is extremely easy to propagate from cuttings, making it a favorite for gardeners who want to multiply their plantings—a single cutting can root in water or soil within 1-2 weeks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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