This is one of my licorice plants. Due to space constraints, this year it had to share its space with a chia test.
I noticed today that the chia growing immediately under the licorice is doing much better. Higher germination rate, better survival, healthier plants.
The chia row is struggling, except where it’s directly around one of the licorice branches.
Although licorice is a nitrogen fixer, I don’t think that’s the cause. It’s possible.
Maybe it’s simple protection from the sun, but I don’t think so.
My thought was symbiosis with soil bacteria. I’m going to scatter chia around one of the other licorice plants and see if the same thing happens again.
If licorice can just be a nurse plant, that would be amazing.