Description

Stevia, also known as sweetleaf, is a remarkable herb that offers a calorie-free, low-glycemic sweetener up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. A perfect addition to your garden, this bushy plant grows 18″–30″ tall and thrives in containers. The plant produces sweet leaves with a slight anise aftertaste, especially just before it flowers in late summer to fall. Stevia is grown as an annual, although it can be perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer. Whether you're looking for a natural alternative to sugar or growing it for ornamental beauty, Stevia is an excellent choice for sunny or partially shaded areas.

This packet sows 6–9 plants. 12 seeds.

Variety Info:

Botanical Name: Stevia rebaudiana
Family: Asteraceae
Native: Paraguay and Brazil
Hardiness: Hardiness: Grown as an annual, although perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer.
Plant Dimensions: 18″–30″ tall, 18″ wide
Variety Information: An upright leafy plant with brittle stems and elliptical, toothed leaves. Plants produce small, white, tubular flowers in late summer to fall.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Attributes: Good for Containers

Sowing Info:

When to Sow Outside: Not recommended.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Optimal soil temperature is 70°–75°F.
Days to Emerge: 7–21 days
Seed Depth: 1/8″ or barely cover
Seed Spacing: 18″
Row Spacing: 20″–24″
Thinning: Not required

Growing Info:

Harvesting: Best flavor (highest stevioside content) is right before the plant flowers. Harvest in the morning after dew has dried. The entire plant can be cut or pick individual leaves or branches at any growth stage. To allow growth to continue, never remove more than ? of the plant at a time. In very mild climates, plant may re-grow after cutting back to 4″–6″ above the base.