Stevia plants are a great addition to any herb garden and are becoming increasingly popular as a natural sweetener alternative to sugar.
As part of the 2024 gardening trends toward more sustainable practices, many home gardeners are incorporating edible plants like stevia into their landscapes. With its sweet-tasting leaves, the stevia plant is an example of a productive edible that can be grown quickly in home gardens and supports sustainable gardening goals.
Integrating edible plants like stevia into ornamental garden beds and containers is an emerging 2024 gardening trend that allows gardeners to grow healthy foods while beautifying their outdoor spaces.
They are easy to grow and care for, making them perfect for experienced and novice gardeners. The guide will provide you with everything you need to know about how to grow stevia plants.
They include their origin, uses, quick guide to growing, plant care, harvesting and storing, pests and troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions. So, let’s get started.
Stevia Plant Care Guide Table
Plant Name: Stevia rebaudiana
Other Name: Stevia, Sweet Leaf, or Sugar Leaf
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Native Areas: South America
Light Requirement: Full sun
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
Fertilizer: Balanced plant food
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and animals
Temperature: Thrives in warm temperatures
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
What is the Stevia Plants
Stevia, originating from the sun-kissed lands of South America, is not just a mere herb; it’s a centuries-old companion to native peoples, who used its leaves to sweeten medicinal concoctions and teas. As a member of the Asteraceae family, this herbaceous perennial has transcended its historical roots, becoming a globally recognized natural sweetener.
Stevia’s sweetness is derived from steviol glycosides, primarily rebaudioside, and stevioside, nestled within the leaves. Remarkably, these leaves boast the highest sugar content compared to granulated sugar, making it a sweet revelation for those conscious about calorie intake.
The real magic lies in its minimal impact on blood glucose, making it an alluring zero-calorie sugar substitute. Delving into the stevia plant’s growth zones, it flourishes best in warm climates and winter hardy in USDA zones 10-11.
This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained potting medium in the ground or pots, making it a resilient herbaceous perennial. Beyond the intriguing sweetness of stevia lies its rich history, from traditional use by indigenous peoples to its modern evolution as a sought-after natural sweetener.
Today, the allure of stevia extends beyond its native South America, as purified extracts grace tables worldwide, providing a delightful sugar substitute that tantalizes taste buds without the guilt of excess calories or adverse effects on blood sugar levels.
Stevia’s journey from traditional roots to global prominence reflects its remarkable sweetness, making it a captivating herb with a sweet story to tell.
Uses of Stevia Plants
Natural sweeteners are used as a sugar replacement in teas, coffee, yogurt, smoothies, desserts, etc.
Used to sweeten traditional medicines in native regions
You can use fresh leaves for their natural sweetness to replace sugar in sweetened tea or other hot drinks
Extracts used as zero-calorie sweeteners and sugar substitutes in prepared foods and beverages
Antioxidant and antibacterial properties beneficial for health
The powdered stevia is also added to artificial sweeteners, foods, and more.
Quick Growing Tips For Growing Stevia
Grows best in zones 9-11 as a perennial but can be grown as an annual
Grows up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours daily)
Plant in well-draining soil or the ground in a home garden
Space stevia plants 12-24 inches apart
Keep soil moist, not soaked
Pinch off flowers to enhance the production of leaves
Harvest leaves as needed once your stevia reaches 1 ft tall
Store dried leaves in an airtight containers
Stevia Plant Care
Stevia is generally easy to grow but needs primary care and optimal conditions to flourish. Here is a detailed guide:
How to Plant Stevia Seeds and Seedlings
Start by sowing stevia seeds indoors before the last frost to ensure a head start in germination. Use high-quality potting soil with a pH range of 6.7-7.2 for optimal seed germination. Place the seeds on the soil surface, pressing them gently to ensure good contact with the soil.
Stevia seeds germinate within 7-14 days when provided with consistent warmth and moisture. Once the stevia seedlings reach a few inches in height, transplant them into larger containers or directly into the garden, maintaining a spacing of at least 8-12 inches apart.
If you grow stevia indoors, ensure it receives bright light or use artificial lighting to mimic the light conditions.
Soil and Water for Stevia Rebaudiana
Growing stevia needs well-draining, sandy but moist soil with rich organic matter. Amend your garden bed by mixing in aged compost.
The ideal soil pH ranges from 6.5 to 7.0. These plants need consistent moisture, so water them whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry.
Established stevia is moderately drought tolerant, but erratic watering can impact the yield. After watering, allow the soil under the plant to drain thoroughly and avoid standing water.
Stevia Lighting Condition
Stevia thrives best in direct sunlight, which means at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. Stevia grown in partial shade tend to become spindly and produce fewer leaves. For container-grown plants, choose the sunniest windowsills for maximum productivity.
Temperature and Humidity
As a subtropical plant, stevia prefers daytime temperatures of 65-80°F and moderate humidity. Temperatures below 60°F can damage young stevia and suppress growth.
Move potted stevia indoors well before the first expected frost in fall. Stevia grows well indoors near bright windows as long as temperatures remain warm.
Low humidity causes the leaves tips to brown – use a room humidifier to combat dry air.
Fertilizer
Use a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks to nourish your stevia plant during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent root damage. Fertilize once a month during winter. Adding compost tea occasionally provides essential micronutrients for optimal plant health.
Propagation
stevia cutting @hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou ( flickr )
Stevia can be propagated from cuttings or seeds. Cuttings should be taken from established plants in the garden in spring and placed in a potting mix until roots form, then planted outside after the last frost. Seeds can be started indoors 8-12 weeks before the final frost and transplanted outdoors once grown.
Established stevia can also be divided at the start of the growing season.
Pruning
Prune stevia by pinching off the uppermost sets of leaves frequently to encourage a bushy shape with dense foliage.
Always pinch the stems right above a node where new shoots can emerge. Removing the flower buds as they form also directs more energy towards growth for better flavor and higher rebaudioside content.
In fall, stems can be cut back by one-half to overwinter them.
Harvesting and Storing Stevia
Harvest leaves by cutting off stems near the base. Do not harvest the entire plant more than 75% at once for sustainable foliage production.
The highest sugar content and potency is achieved just before flowering. Harvest stevia leaves in the morning after dew evaporates for the best flavor. Store freshly cut stevia leaves in the refrigerator for a couple of days before drying.
To dry, spread leaves in a single layer on trays and allow to air dry out of direct sunlight until crisp enough to crumble – about 24 hours. Crumble thoroughly dried stevia leaves and stored in an airtight container away from heat, moisture, and light.
Properly stored leaves retain sweetness for up to 2 years. Powder-dried leaves in a food processor as needed to use as a substitute. Another great thing is you can also hang the entire plant to dry stevia leaves for tea.
Stevia Plant Pests and Troubleshooting
Stevia has very few pest issues but can be affected by the following:
Aphids – Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Whiteflies – Sticky traps and horticultural oils may help. Wilt diseases – Allow the ground to dry between watering to prevent fungal infections. Remove dead leaves promptly.
Leaf spots – Space plants for good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
Rot diseases – Allow soil to drain thoroughly before watering again
Other issues:
Few leaves – Too little light or overharvesting without allowing regrowth
Leggy growth – Insufficient lightLeaf scorch – Extreme heat or allowing soil to dry out completely
Leaf drop – Sudden temperature changes or water stress
Poor flavor – Harvest leaves in the cool of the morning for the best taste
Frequently Asked Questions
Take care of stevia by planting it in rich potting media amended with compost in a sunny spot. Water whenever the top inch becomes dry and fertilize every 2-4 weeks during spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Pinch off flowers to promote a bushy production. Move plants indoors before frost.
In zones 9-11, stevia grows as a short-lived perennial, living for 2-3 years on average when overwintered indoors. In colder climates, it can be grown annually and replanted each spring. Established plants multiply from seeds or cuttings.
Harvest stevia leaves by cutting stems near the base rather than stripping leaves. Avoid over-harvesting more than 75% of shoots at once so plants can continue regrowing. The youngest top leaves have the best flavor for harvest.
It’s best to pinch off stevia flower buds as they start forming to direct the plant’s energy towards foliage production rather than setting seed. Plants allowed to flower will form fewer sweet leaves in the subsequent weeks.
When you grow lettuce, brassicas like kale and broccoli, onions, chamomile, sage, and marigolds make good companion plants for stevia. Avoid planting stevia near fennel and turnips.
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