Licorice Plant Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver'
ABOUT
Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver', commonly known as the licorice plant, is admired for its unique foliage and texture. This perennial is characterized by its soft, velvety leaves that are rounded and exhibit a striking silvery-grey hue, lending a luminous quality to the foliage. The plant's stems are trailing, often creating a cascading or spreading effect that adds to its charm. The leaves are densely packed along these stems, making the licorice plant an excellent choice for fullness in a garden composition or container. The plant produces small, indistinct flowers that are not particularly showy when compared to its foliage. These flowers may appear during the warmer months, but they are not the main attraction of this cultivar. Instead, gardeners and landscapers value the licorice plant primarily for its lovely foliage and the soft, almost ethereal glow it can provide to its surroundings. The plant's texture and color are especially useful for contrasting with other plants that have darker or more vibrant green leaves. Overall, the licorice plant's stunning silvery foliage and soft texture make it a distinctive choice for adding visual interest and contrast to garden beds, borders, hanging baskets, or containers. It is well-regarded for its robust performance and versatility in various garden settings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Licorice Plant, Silver Bush, Trailing Dusty Miller, Silver Helichrysum
Common names
Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Licorice plant, typically, is not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases or notable symptoms associated with the poisoning from this plant. Therefore, ingesting parts of the Licorice plant is unlikely to result in significant toxicity or harmful consequences for humans.
To pets
The Licorice plant is also not considered toxic to pets. It is generally deemed safe around animals, with no specific symptoms of poisoning being commonly reported. As such, ingestion of this plant by pets is not expected to cause serious toxicity or adverse health effects. However, ingestion of non-food items can sometimes cause gastrointestinal upset in pets regardless of the plant’s toxicity.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Silver
Height
2 feet (60 centimeters)
Spread
3 feet (90 centimeters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver', commonly known as the Licorice Plant, offers attractive, velvety, silver-gray foliage that adds visual interest and a unique texture to gardens and landscapes.
- Drought Tolerance: The plant is quite drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping or for regions with low water availability.
- Deer Resistance: Its foliage is not favored by deer, which can help prevent damage to the plant in areas where deer browsing is a common issue.
- Easy to Grow: This Licorice Plant is easy to cultivate and maintain, requiring minimal care, which is ideal for novice gardeners or those with limited time for gardening.
- Versatility: It can be used in various garden settings, including borders, hanging baskets, containers, and as ground cover, providing flexibility in landscape design.
- Heat Tolerance: The Licorice Plant can endure high temperatures, making it an excellent choice for hot and sunny gardens.
- Companion Planting: With its unique foliage, it serves as an excellent companion plant, helping to highlight the colors and textures of surrounding flowers and plants.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver', commonly known as licorice plant, can be used as a subtle addition to floral arrangements, providing a silver-toned foliage backdrop that enhances the colors of the other flowers in the bouquet.
- This plant can also serve as a natural dye, where the leaves may be used to impart a pale green or yellow hue to fabrics or crafting materials.
- As an interesting landscape design element, the licorice plant's unique silvery foliage offers a contrasting texture when planted alongside darker green or colorful plants in a garden setting.
- It can be used in theme gardens, such as moon gardens, where its silver-gray leaves reflect the moonlight, creating a luminous nighttime display.
- Given its dense and spreading habit, the licorice plant can be used to cover unsightly areas of the garden, such as bare soil, acting as a living mulch that reduces weed growth.
- In coastal areas, the licorice plant is valuable for its salt tolerance and can be used to stabilize sand dunes or as a part of seaside landscape plantings.
- Children's gardens can incorporate licorice plant for its soft, plush texture, which is appealing to the touch and encourages sensory interaction.
- For pet owners, the licorice plant is non-toxic to dogs and cats, making it a safe option for indoor houseplants where pets may interact with them.
- In culinary uses, while not a common herb for consumption, small quantities of Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver' leaves may be used as a subtle flavoring in dishes, reminiscent of licorice or anise.
- The licorice plant can be grown in hanging baskets where its cascading habit creates an elegant draping effect, adding vertical interest to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Licorice Plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Licorice Plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Everlasting Love: The Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver', commonly known as the Licorice Plant, is often associated with everlasting love due to its perennial nature and long-lasting flowers.
- Immortality: The name "Helichrysum" is derived from the Greek words "helios" meaning sun and "chrysos" meaning gold, reflecting the belief in the plant's ability to retain its vibrant color even after being picked, symbolizing immortality and eternal life.
- Healing: Helichrysum species have been used in traditional medicine for their healing properties, and the Licorice Plant's association with restoration and the healing process symbolizes the human capacity for recovery.
- Protection: Some cultures believe that the Licorice Plant has protective qualities, using it in remedies or talismans to ward off negativity and harm.
WaterThe licorice plant should be watered regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Generally, watering once a week with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant should suffice, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and soil drainage. During hot or windy weather, you might need to water more frequently. Make sure to water deeply and directly at the base of the plant to encourage a strong root system.
LightLicorice plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. A location that offers bright morning light with some afternoon protection in hotter climates is ideal for optimal growth and foliage color.
TemperatureLicorice plant enjoys moderate temperatures and will do well in conditions ranging from 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can survive minimum temperatures down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost to prevent damage. It is not tolerant of extreme heat, so if temperatures frequently exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, offer some afternoon shade.
PruningPrune the licorice plant to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season as needed, but the best time for heavier trimming is in early spring before new growth begins. Cutting back the stems by about a third will help to rejuvenate the plant and keep it looking attractive.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLicorice plant prefers a well-draining, loamy soil mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The ideal soil mix can be created by blending equal parts of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
RepottingLicorice plants should be repotted once every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current pot. Choose a new container that is one size larger than the current one to give the roots room to grow.
Humidity & MistingLicorice plant thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%. These plants can tolerate lower humidity but benefit from increased humidity levels, particularly if the indoor air is dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, protect from strong winds and frost.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver') begins with seed germination, typically in spring or early summer, when the soil temperature and moisture levels provide suitable conditions. Following germination, the seedling emerges and undergoes vegetative growth, developing a bushy foliage of silver-green leaves. As the plant matures, it experiences a period of vegetative expansion and branch development, allowing it to reach its full size and form. The Licorice Plant may produce small, inconspicuous flowers, but it is primarily grown for its attractive foliage. After reaching maturity, the plant will continue to thrive for several years if it is well-maintained and provided with suitable growing conditions. At the end of its life cycle, typically after several growing seasons, the plant will senesce and die, completing the cycle with seeds potentially falling to the ground to generate new plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Helichrysum petiolare 'Goring Silver', commonly known as Licorice Plant, can be propagated by softwood cuttings. This method is most effective during spring and early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate Legen Licorice Plant by cuttings, carefully cut a 4-6 inch (approximately 10-15 centimeters) long stem from a healthy plant, making sure it includes a few leaf nodes. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder, and then plant it in moist, well-draining potting soil. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain humidity and place it in a warm area with indirect light. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a few weeks, the cutting should develop roots and can be transplanted to a permanent location.
