Stevia Growing Guide

Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Stevia is a tender perennial grown as a vegetatively propagated annual. Parent plants brought through winter indoors provide rootable stems in spring.

Feeding

Not generally needed. If needed, a water soluble organic fertiliser can be provided in midsummer to invigorate plants.

Companions

Often paired with mound-forming herbs; stevia is an upright plant.

Spacing

Single Plants: 35cm (1' 1") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 40cm (1' 3") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start with a purchased plant, because stevia seeds are very reluctant to sprout. Plants are grown from rooted cuttings taken from greenhouse-grown plants.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Frequent pinching back helps to keep plants bushy and full, and it delays flowering.

Harvesting

Gather sprigs as needed in the kitchen. Gather stems for drying in midsummer, just before the plants bloom.

Troubleshooting

Stevia thrives in warm weather, and may grow slowly under very cool conditions.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Stevia