What Is Licorice Basil?

Licorice basil is a unique and aromatic herb that brings a distinctive anise-like flavor to your garden and kitchen. Unlike common sweet basil, licorice basil offers a subtle sweetness with hints of licorice and fennel, making it a fascinating addition to culinary experiments and herbal collections.

Growing Licorice Basil

This herb thrives in warm, sunny locations with well-draining soil. Plant licorice basil after the last frost date when soil temperatures reach at least 50°F. Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart and water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Licorice basil grows quickly and can reach 12 to 18 inches tall, making it perfect for garden beds, containers, or window boxes.

Pinch off the top leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering. This also extends your harvest season and keeps the plant productive throughout the growing period.

Harvesting and Using Licorice Basil

Begin harvesting leaves once the plant is established, typically 3 to 4 weeks after planting. Pick leaves in the morning after the dew dries for the best flavor. Fresh licorice basil works wonderfully in teas, desserts, cocktails, and savory dishes where you want a subtle licorice note.

Dry the leaves by hanging bundles upside down in a warm, well-ventilated space, or use a dehydrator. Dried licorice basil retains its flavor well and can be stored in airtight containers for several months.

Why Grow Licorice Basil?

Beyond its culinary appeal, licorice basil attracts pollinators to your garden and pairs beautifully with other herbs like mint and oregano. Its ornamental foliage and delicate flowers add visual interest while providing a steady supply of fresh, flavorful leaves throughout the season.

In Summary

Licorice Basil is a type of Thai basil with a pleasant, sweet licorice flavor. Beautiful as a fragrant and ornamental accent throughout the garden, and delicious in salads, baked goods, and pasta sauce. It’s also pleasant to look at with deep green leaves that sometimes show a burgundy tinge, plum-colored stems, and lavender flower spikes that make a fun garnish for any salad, dish, or drink.

Harvest the leaves and stems from the top part of the plant, and pinch off edible flower buds as they appear, which prevents the leaves from turning bitter, and signals the plant to branch out and grow more leaves, making a bushier plant.

The more you harvest, the more it grows!

• Sweet, pleasant licorice flavor
• Thai basil type
• Edible ornamental
• Good for containers
• Tons of medicinal benefits!

As a medicinal herb, Basil has been used internally to treat anxiety, colds, colic, cough, depression, diarrhea, fever, flatulence, flu, indigestion, insomnia, intestinal parasites and worms, exhaustion, gastric pain, gonorrhea, lactation problems, migraine headache, nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, and vomiting, and externally to treat acne, insect bites and stings, loss of smell, skin problems, snake bites.

⚠️ Do not use medicinally while pregnant.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

As a companion plant, it attracts hummingbirds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, and repels asparagus beetles, cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, carrot rust fly, flies, maggots, mice, mosquitoes, spider mites, thrips, and tomato hornworms. 

This basil variety produces lovely and flavorful green leaves with purple accents.  It has a strong, but enjoyable licorice flavor and can grow up to 24" tall.

What is Licorice Basil?

This basil is a type of Thai Basil, also known as anise basil.  It has strong licorice and anise flavors, qualities and aromatics.  It's known to be slightly "lanky" with pointed green leaves with signature purple flowers. Both the leaves and flowers are edible on this plant.  

Health Benefits of Licorice Basil

Licorice Basil can be used for treating the common cold, the flu, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, earaches, headaches, upset stomachs, heart disease, fever, and more.  It promotes longevity but something you may not know is that its an excellent mosquito repellent! 

Ways to Consume Licorice Basil

When Licorice Basil leaves are crushed, they burst with intense basil and licorice aromas. Fragrant and floral, the spicy paste is a condiment for multiple dishes. This basil is best when mixed with other ingredients to tame it's powerful one-dimensional notes. 

See Basil Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board