The stevia plant is an herb that is often used as a natural sweetener and is a much healthier alternative to sugars and syrups. Often found in commercial products, stevia plants can also be grown at home as long as the conditions are right! Learn how to grow stevia plants right in your own garden and reap the benefits of this super healthy natural sweetener!
How to Grow Stevia
Planting Stevia:
- Stevia can be started indoor from seeds in late winter, but it grows best from rooted cuttings.
- Until germination, keep your stevia plant under warm lights or on a windowsill. They'll need lots of sun and warmth.
- Choose well draining soil and a well draining pot and set each stevia plant about 2 feet apart.
- In the spring after all frost has gone, you can transplant stevia outdoors and keep in full sunlight.
- If your springs tend to be a little cooler, mulch lightly around the soil to keep moist and warm.
Harvesting Stevia:
- Stevia can be harvested once they reach about 16-24 inches in height.
- You can dry the stevia leaves and use them as natural sweeteners in teas, coffees, sorbets, and others.
- 3-5 stevia plants will give you enough leaves to last you an entire year!
So now that you know how to grow stevia, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
Happy Planting!
