Helichrysum petiolare aka Licorice Plant

Helichrysum petiolare has two common names: licorice plant and liquorice plant. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. It grows wild in southern tropical Africa and southern Africa. This evergreen sub-shrub grows low, with stems that trail. Gardeners grow it for its leaves, not its flowers. It suits beds, borders, pots, and hanging baskets.

Plants reach about 1.5 feet [0.45 metres] tall. The RHS gives a top garden height of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Plants spread 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres], far wider than their height. They take one to two years to reach full size. White stems bear broad, egg-shaped leaves with grey hairs. Where the climate allows, the leaves stay all year. Their pale colour stands out among other garden plants. Small, dull white flowerheads grow on stems that stand upright. They bloom in late summer and autumn. Plants grown as annuals may not flower.

Choose full sun to best match the RHS advice. Missouri Botanical Garden says part shade suits it too. Use soil that drains well and has a fair level of nutrients. Clay, loam, and sand can all suit this plant. It grows in acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Moist soil suits it, as long as water drains well. Plants can also cope with drought. Water in long dry spells, but do not keep roots wet. Poor drainage adds to the risk of root rot. Choose a site out of strong winds in a mild climate. The RHS rates it H3 for mild and coastal UK areas. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 9–11.

Use the trailing stems to soften pot edges or stone walls. It also works as edging or an annual ground cover. Its leaves can fill gaps between other plants in pots. Suggested sites include cottage gardens, courtyards, and gardens by the coast. It also suits gardens with a Mediterranean style. Its low form fits the front of flower borders. The small flowers add little to the display. It needs little care; trim only as needed. Take softwood cuttings in spring to grow new plants. For late-summer cuttings, use shoot tips that have no flowers.

The RHS says pests seldom cause trouble. Downy mildew and powdery mildew may occur. Honey fungus may harm plants where it is already present. The RHS says how prone plants are to it remains unclear. Root rot is a further risk when soil drains poorly.