Stevia Species, Sweet Herb of Paraguay, Sweetleaf

On Aug 24, 2012, Joy2Foragers from Holden Heights, FL wrote:

Grows well in sun or part shade, but deep shade will either make it weak and spindly, or kill it. Where we live, it dies down in winter, then comes back up in late spring. Bees and wasps love the flowers- I counted seven different species visiting my stevia patch this year!

On May 5, 2012, Wolfspud from Denver, CO wrote:

I just bought this plant and am wondering how to grow it. Has anyone had success with it in Denver? It apparently likes humidity, which we lack, but doesn't like overwatering. No problem, we're having a drought. While full sun is usually recommended, I'm afraid it will fry in our high altitude sun. Part shade may be a better option? Please comment if you are from a sunny, DRY climate. Thanks!

On Nov 8, 2010, daveman from Johnson City, TN wrote:

I bought a packet of seeds to the plant from Kmart and planted just one of them since there was only a very few in the packet.

It sprouted in only a couple of weeks, grew kind of slow in the beginning, but grows moderately fast as it matures.

I've eaten some fresh leaves right off the plant which tasted o.k. after they were chewed up a bit, but the dried, crumbled up leaves are WAY better IMO. They kind of reminded me of plain frosted flakes, but not crunchy. Delicious!

This grew very easily and I didn't do anything except give it water and a warm, sunny window with a support since it was kind of lanky.

On Jul 30, 2006, renatelynne from Boerne new zone 30, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

Grows easy, comes back every year after freezing down to the ground.

On Feb 27, 2005, junipersky from Hereford, AZ wrote:

I grow this plant in zone 8a. We do get some hard freezes. I planted 2 in 2003, they die back in fall, we cut them down to about 2 or 3 inches, then they come back in spring. We have not mulched them. I love this plant!

On May 28, 2004, NatureWalker from New York & Terrell, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

Growing Stevia: Stevia rebaudiana

Description: Stevia is a tender perennial hardy in USDA Zones 9 and 10, or where temperatures do not fall below freezing. When grown as an annual, it reaches a height of 18-24 inches with bushy sideshoot growth. A native of South America, Stevia has been used as a natural sweetener for over 1500 years. Today, the remarkably sweet leaves are used as a sugar substitute throughout the world. Virtually calorie free, sweeteners made from Stevia do not raise blood sugar levels, and are generally safe for diabetics.

Parts used: Fresh and dried leaves.

Culture: Recommended indoor planting method: Start seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Sow shallowly in a well-drained soil mix in flats at a temperature of 68-75ºF ... read more(20-24ºC). Transplant to 3" pots when seedlings are large enough to handle. Do not over-water. For bushier plants, pinch back growing tips every few weeks for the first 1-2 months after germination.

Outdoor planting: Stevia generally does not tolerate temperatures below 45ºF (9ºC). After all danger of frost has passed, transplant outside 12" apart. Stevia is also an ideal plant to grow in containers as a houseplant, or in the greenhouse. For container growing, choose a pot that is at least 14" across, and provide soil that is well-drained. Maintain even soil moisture, and provide shade in extreme heat.

Light/Soil/Water Requirements: Stevia performs best in average, well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid overuse of nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as they cause the plant to produce large leaves with little flavor. Do not over-water, especially when being grown as a container plant or when transplanting. In extreme southern areas and when growing in containers, afternoon shade may be need. (Fish Fertilizer)

Pest/Disease Problems: Carefully watch for any signs of insect damage to the leaf. Whiteflies and leafhoppers may pose problems.

Harvest: Pick in the morning and before flowering occurs for highest sugar content. Leaves may be harvested throughout the season once the plant has become established, with the main harvest occurring in September or October. Fresh or dried leaves are delicious in salads, sauces, and beverages. To dry, hang small bunches of stems in a well-ventilated, dry area out of direct sun. Dried leaves may be ground into powder for storage. Fresh leaves can be used to make a liquid sweetener by steeping one teaspoonful of dried leaves in one cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes.

I also found a very good and reliable source for quality seeds before I had a chance to trade with for someone else, (other plants that she wanted); but I will still order some seeds to try and start during the winter months. But I can always count on 'their' seeds; they've never failed me yet, even ones that were up to 5 years old!
So if you'd like the name of the place; you can email me via my member page and I'll tell you the snail-mail and web-address.
I also bought a book on Stevia in anticipation of getting some live plants; good recipes , even how to make the extract. I'll see if I can get it up in the 'Books' section. BTW they like to sit in the window sill and watch the sun go by all day long.

On Apr 26, 2004, trex111 from Canterbury, NH (Zone 4b) wrote:

I will be starting seeds this week and wondering if any of you out there have any hints starting these little buggars. Being a diabetic, my sugar eating days are over so I thought I would try stevia. Also, if lucky, a friends wife is now in Brazil getting more seeds for me, I hope. Any info would be appreciated...Thanks trex111

On Dec 31, 2003, calibash from Toronto, ON wrote:

Out of 100 seeds I started in the summer, only about 10 germinated (wet paper towel method). 0% germination direct in soil.

I grew one of my plants in a hydroponics unit with my lettuce, and it began to flower! I have about 50+ seeds, and will try to get those going in the spring.

I cut the flowered plant down to the base, and left it in the hydro setup while I started my peppers. Well, it decided to grow... and I mean very bushy and very fast!!

I think in about a month, I'll have enough leaves to make a nice concentrate, and that should last me the winter.

On Dec 26, 2003, bagpypr from Redlands, CA (Zone 10a) wrote:

Stevia is a perennial shrub that grows to 1 m tall and has leaves 2-3 cm long. There are about 200 species of Stevia all native to South America. It is estimated to be 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is a non-caloric, natural sweetener that studies prove lower blood pressure and regulates heartbeat. It has also demonstrated itself to be antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, antiyeast as well as retards the formation of dental plaque. In 1991 the FDA banned the import of Stevia into the country because it was an open threat to the profit margins of the "sweetener giants". The ban was lifted in 1995 and it is now sold as a "dietary supplement". Great with Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguaiensis).

On Sep 20, 2003, suncatcheracres from Old Town, FL wrote:

I would like to grow this plant as the tincture can be quite expensive--I believe I have paid $14.00 an ounce for stevia tincture in a small, brown eyedropper bottle. I'm glad to learn the leaves themselves can be used as a sweetener, and that it can be grown in my zone 8b, or even in a greenhouse, so I will be on the lookout for some seeds.

On Sep 15, 2002, welshherblady from Isle of Anglesey,North Wales,
United Kingdom (Zone 8a) wrote:

We have grown Stevia rebaudiana in our greenhouse for two years. The plants like warmth and quite a bit of watering. If "pinched out" the plant becomes much bushier, thus making more large leaves which are the part harvested for drying and using as a sugar substitute.

The powder is VERY sweet and takes time to adjust to the correct amounts to use. One of the great secrets of the modern age! The leaves are dried in my excalibur dehydrator (which is excellent for drying herbs!) and then chopped up in a processor, sieved and put into an airtight conatiner and labeled with name and date.