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Looking to buy licorice plant and bring stunning silver foliage to your garden? Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as licorice plant, is one of New Zealand’s favourite trailing ornamentals for baskets, borders, and mass plantings. This versatile groundcover is not only beautiful but resilient as well, thriving in sunny positions and lending soft texture to beds, containers, and even coastal plantings. Its gentle, fuzzy leaves create a striking contrast alongside flower-rich borders, native landscapes, and modern design schemes. If you’re ready to buy licorice plant for your next project, discover its unique features and best ways to use Helichrysum petiolare below.

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Licorice Plant, Trailing Dusty Miller

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long stems that host small and rounded, grey-silver leaves. The leaves are complemented with cream-coloured flowers in summer as it grows to 50 cm tall and 1.5 m wide. Helichrysum petiolare is commonly included in rock and cottage gardens, used in border plantings, maintained in a container, planted around outdoor living areas such as pools and the like, or mass planted as a groundcover on a bank.

helichrysum-petiolare--3
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Groundcover Plants
  • Height:
    50 cm
  • Spread:
    1.50 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Hardy
  • Garden uses:
    Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
  • Garden styles:
    Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
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Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

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Why Choose Helichrysum petiolare?

The licorice plant stands out with its soft, silvery foliage and cascading habit. It’s prized for providing year-round interest and exceptional drought tolerance—ideal for New Zealand’s variable summer conditions. Helichrysum petiolare stays compact and fills gaps quickly, making it perfect for groundcover applications, hanging baskets, and spillover planting in mixed containers. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, this plant resists pests and copes well in coastal gardens, making it a reliable addition to your landscape.

Where to Grow the Licorice Plant

Helichrysum petiolare prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It excels in exposed spots and tolerates dry periods, meaning less maintenance for busy gardeners. Whether you’re refreshing a cottage garden border or adding texture to a contemporary courtyard, the licorice plant adapts easily. Use Helichrysum petiolare as a living carpet beneath taller shrubs, or combine it with other silver-leaved plants for a harmonious look. For creative combinations, pair it with Helichrysum argyrophyllum or the striking Helichrysum Silver to extend the shimmering theme.

Popular Planting Companions

Helichrysum petiolare’s understated beauty complements bold flower colours and structured forms. Want to create layered interest? Consider planting it with vibrant neighbours like Ajuga 'Pink Beauty' or the fiery hues of Callistemon 'Firebrand'. For a lush, native-inspired groundcover palette, try a visual mix with Grevillea juniperus aurea (Grevillea juniperina) and Coprosma neglecta. If you’re a fan of scent and foliage, explore the aromatic Helichrysum italicum (Curry Plant) for an extra sensory layer.

Explore More Helichrysum Varieties

Buying licorice plant is just the beginning. Expand your silver and grey plant palette by exploring unique selections like Helichrysum Red Jewel and Helichrysum Guacamole. For border accents or groundcover under native trees, Leptospermum Wairere offers textural complement and easy care.

Buy Licorice Plant Online

Ready to buy licorice plant and transform your garden? Helichrysum petiolare offers effortless style, versatility, and low-maintenance beauty for New Zealand landscapes. Browse our full range of groundcovers and companion plants to design a garden that’s both beautiful and resilient. Whether for containers, borders, or coastal plantings, the licorice plant will quickly become a favourite for gardeners who value foliage as much as flowers.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Sambucus nigra and Gardenia radicans are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Bougainvillea 'Scarlet O'Hara', Hydrangea Mariko, and Rosa banksiae 'Alba' (Banksia Rose) that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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