Stevia

Botanical Name

Stevia rebaudiana

Hardiness

Zones 10-11, grown as annual elsewhere

Height

12 to 36 inches

Width

12 inches

Flowers

Fall: white

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

Transplant in spring after all danger of frost has passed
Space plants 18 inches apart
Mulch soil to help retain consistent moisture
Requires a well drained soil to prevent root rot
Use leaves throughout the summer, but they are at their peak and should be harvested in fall as flowers develop
Cut and dry whole stems by gathering them in bundles with a rubber band. Hang the bundles in a location with good air circulation out of direct sunlight. Once dried the leaves should be stripped from the stem and stored whole or ground into a powder stored in airtight containers. The general conversion rule is to use 3-4 teaspoons of dried stevia powder in place of a whole cup of cane sugar or 1/8 teaspoon of dried stevia to equal the sweetness of 1 teaspoon of sugar.

Problems