Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana "Bertoni") is an all natural sweetener that you can grow in your garden. Native to South America (Paraguay), stevia has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. It makes a wonderful substitute for sugar in your coffee or tea, and you can also use it for cooking and baking. Here's how to grow it.
Stevia seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate, so start with transplants from a reliable nursery or garden center. Plants grown from seed vary in their level of sweetness, so if possible, try to acquire plants that have been propagated by vegetative means.
Take cuttings in late summer to carry over plants for the next year. In cooler climates, pot up the rooted cuttings and move them indoors before fall frosts arrive. Keep plants in a sunny location through the winter, and plant them outside again (or move the pot outdoors) the following spring.
Botanical Name: Stevia rebaudiana "Bertoni"
Life Cycle: Annual in cold zones, tender perennial in warm zones.
Planting Time: Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. After planting, cover lightly with organic mulch to hold down weeds and conserve moisture.
Height: 23 to 31 inches; Growth habit tends to be tall and lanky. Grow several plants together for a more full appearance.
Exposure: Full sun. In the warmest zones, stevia appreciates afternoon shade.
Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil.
Bloom Time: summer (or 60-90 days after transplanting)
Flower: small white flowers, similar in appearance to heather
Foliage: green serrated leaves
Propagation: Seeds (very difficult to germinate), tip cuttings in summer, root division in spring.
Suggested Use: Use stevia as an all natural alternative to sugar. It doesn't dissolve like sugar, and you cannot make it into a true syrup, but it's super sweet-as much as 10-600 times sweeter than sugar. Home-grown stevia will not be as potent as commercially prepared stevia extract, but it still makes a wonderful sweet flavoring. Some people find it leaves a licorice type of aftertaste, while other do not.
Growing Hints: Stevia can be slow and seemingly difficult to get started. Even under ideal conditions, the plant may suddenly lose its leaves in apparent collapse. Don't worry though, as long as the roots remain alive it may come back-even a year or two later. Stevia likes regular watering during warm periods, but does not tolerate over-watering or excess salts. Leaf growth slows after flowering so nip the flower buds off as soon as they appear to encourage further growth.
Make an extract by combining 1 cup of vodka with a cup fresh stevia leaves in a glass jar. Leave it to infuse for two weeks, shaking the jar once daily. After two weeks, strain the liquid through a coffee filter and store in a sealed jar. Use an eye dropper to add to beverages.
When cooking and baking with stevia, for every 1 cup of sugar that is replaced by stevia there should be 1/3 cup of a liquid or other "bulk" added to create the bulk affect that the sugar normally would. A few liquid substitutions include:
Any liquid that pertains to the recipe will work just fine, for example, use extra banana puree for the liquid in a banana bread recipe. Approximately 6 large leaves (finely chopped) will substitute for 1/2 cup of sugar in baking or cooked recipes.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do I harvest stevia plants?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By bob stoner from 15683
by hands
I am interested in growing stevia. We are in a very cold climate, but we have a great greenhouse. Would it be better to grow it on the window sill? Where is the best place to find my seeds? We are on the very edge of the Montana wilderness, 100 miles from the nearest nursery or even a Walmart. Thanks for any help and God bless the helpers.
Hardiness Zone: 3b
By Montana Jewel Therapy from N.W. MT
This web site should answer all your questions about Stevia - Natural Stevia Sweetner, recipes, products, liquid, powder ...
Stevia.com is the leading online resource for information on stevia, the all natural herbal sweetner, and and stevia products. Discover Stevia recipes ...
Order your seeds from a reputable place such as Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, MO they are excellent for price and quality. Another possibility is Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa Mine looks great so far. Jane
What is the edible part of a stevia plant?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Theresa from Wichita, KS
I was wondering the same thing cause I like to juice leaves & stem, but I hope I'm not creating health problems by doing this. I've read that the young stems are edible. So this is what I usually use.
I am growing stevia in the tropics. I want to know how stevia is harvested and when it should be harvested? Our stevia has a great problem, in that it flowers frequently before it has matured. How can I solve this problem or what is the cause of this issue?
By Desta F from Ethiopia
If you grow stevia in your garden at home, try making this easy homemade sweetener. This is a page about homemade stevia sweetener.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
How do I harvest the leaves on my stevia plant for use?
When is the first harvesting of stevia?
I am interested in knowing how I can harvest and use the leaves off of a Stevia herbal plant. This plant is used for artificial sugar for people like myself who are diabetic.
