Stevia

Stevia Care

Stevia rebaudiana

What is the plant

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant species in the genus Stevia of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is commonly known as candyleaf, sweetleaf or Sugarloaf. It is a tender perennial native to humid, wet environments in Brazil and Paraguay.

Stevia rebaudiana is a small seasonal plant which grows to a height of 1–2 feet (30–61 cm). It has elongated leaves that grow along the stems and are lined up against each other. Flowers are typically trimmed to improve the taste of the leaves. Stevia is widely grown for its leaves, from which extracts can be manufactured as sweetener products known generically as stevia and sold under various trade names. The chemical compounds that produce its sweetness are various steviol glycosides (mainly stevioside and rebaudioside), which have 200–300 times the sweetness of sugar.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

15°C - 21°C

Hardiness zone

8a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Stevia is equally unhappy in completely dry soil and soggy soil, so avoid both. Keep the soil evenly moist by checking frequently and watering lightly. Ensure good drainage so the roots are not sitting in water, which can quickly drown the plant - a few inches of gravel below the potting helps prevent standing water in the pot. Because the stevia plant’s feeder roots are near the surface of the soil, water frequently.
Fertilizer
Feed regularly with a water-soluble plant food to promote healthy leaf production.
Sunlight
Native to subtropical Paraguay and other warm, dry places, stevia prefers full sun. Although it will also tolerate part shade, make sure the shade is not too deep. Because the amount of heat the plant receives drives how sweet it is, you want to encourage lots of hot afternoon sun. Avoid windy areas because this will reduce the sweetness in the leaves.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Stevia prefers well-drained, fertile soil, both in pots and in the garden. Make sure you choose a rich growing medium, like potting mix or soil amended with compost. Because stevia prefers soil that is both well-draining and consistently moist, water retention can sometimes be a problem. Apply a mulch to retain moisture.
Temperature
Stevia grows well indoors in containers. It can also be set outside as long as weather is mild and temperatures are above 50°F (10°C). Outside, it can be grown in the areas with the lowest temperature of +1.7°C (35°F).
Container
This plant can be grown in a container. Choose a pot with enough drainage holes.