How to Grow Licorice Fern
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Licorice Fern
Polypodium glycyrrhiza
fernLicorice fern is a semi-evergreen to deciduous fern native to the Pacific Northwest, characterized by its distinctive sweet-licorice scent when crushed and its deeply lobed, leathery fronds. It grows epiphytically in nature, often on moss-covered trees and rocks, but adapts well to garden cultivation. The fronds have a unique licorice-like flavor and aroma, making it both ornamental and edible.
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Example Licorice Fern timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Licorice Fern
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 Licorice Fern
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Licorice Fern dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8-10; prefers cool, humid coastal climates
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Get my Licorice Fern timeline →Growth Stages
Spore Germination & Gametophyte
8-16 weeksMicroscopic spores germinate into tiny heart-shaped gametophytes on moist substrate
Maintain high humidity (90%+) on peat/sphagnum mix; keep substrate moist; provide bright indirect light; very slow process, often impractical for home growers
Young Fern Establishment
6-12 weeks after gametophyte fusionFirst fronds emerge from rhizoids; plants are small and delicate with few fronds (2-4)
Maintain consistent moisture and high humidity; protect from direct sun and drafts; keep in enclosed propagation environment until established
Vegetative Growth
6-18 monthsRhizome expands horizontally; fronds increase in number and size; characteristic deeply lobed, elongated fronds develop fully
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; provide bright, filtered light; fertilize monthly with dilute balanced or fern-specific fertilizer; ensure excellent drainage
Maturity & Spore Production
Ongoing after 18-24 monthsFully developed fronds with visible sori (spore clusters) on undersides; fronds reach 10-20 inches in length
Continue consistent moisture and humidity; allow spores to mature for propagation or natural dispersal; maintain air circulation to prevent fungal issues
Dormancy
2-4 months in winterIn cooler climates, fronds may die back partially in winter; rhizome remains alive underground
Reduce watering slightly but maintain consistent moisture; do not allow soil to dry out completely; provide cooler temperatures (50-60°F) to encourage dormancy cycle
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe; isolate affected plants
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Remove by hand with soft cloth; spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested fronds
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Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
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and
Remove by hand during evening hours; use copper tape barriers; keep soil surface dry where possible
Uses
Licorice-flavored herb tea and culinary ingredient
CulinaryYoung fiddleheads and tender fronds can be steamed, sautéed, or used raw in salads with a distinctive sweet licorice flavor. Dried fronds make a pleasant herbal tea with natural sweetness and are used to flavor broths, desserts, and beverages. [source]
Traditional herbal medicine
MedicinalPacific Northwest Indigenous peoples traditionally used licorice fern as a medicinal plant for respiratory health, digestive support, and anti-inflammatory purposes. Modern herbalists use it in teas and preparations. [source]
Shade garden and woodland landscape plant
OrnamentalIts attractive deeply-lobed, leathery fronds add year-round texture to moist, shaded garden spaces, naturalized areas, and woodland gardens. Epiphytic growth habit makes it suitable for living moss poles or fern trees. [source]
Habitat for arthropods and microorganisms
WildlifeThe dense fronds and moist rhizosphere provide shelter and breeding habitat for beneficial insects, spiders, and soil organisms that support broader garden ecosystem health. [source]
Natural air purification and humidity regulation
HouseholdLike all ferns, licorice fern absorbs excess moisture and transpires it into the air, naturally humidifying indoor spaces while filtering particulates. Useful in humid terrariums and indoor plant displays. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest young fiddleheads in spring when they are tightly coiled and tender; twist or cut gently at base; harvest fronds year-round for tea or flavoring, cutting mature fronds from the outer edges; leave at least 2-3 fronds on plant at all times to maintain vigor; best flavor when young, before fronds fully unfurl
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Licorice fern gets its name from its sweet licorice-like flavor and aroma when the rhizome or fronds are crushed, containing compounds that create the licorice taste without being related to true licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- 🌱 It is an epiphytic fern, meaning in its native habitat it grows on trees and rocks covered with moss rather than in soil—this unusual growth habit makes it prized among fern collectors and moss pole enthusiasts
- 🌱 Pacific Northwest tribes including the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Ditidaht peoples have harvested licorice fern for thousands of years as both food and medicine, with spring fiddleheads considered a seasonal delicacy
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