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Growing Stevia Rebaudiana by Jeffrey Goettemoeller, author of "Growing & Using Stevia: The Sweet Herb from Garden to Table" Getting Started Stevia seeds are hard to find because of problems with seed production and low germination. I did an undergraduate research project to investigate this problem. The results are published in an article entitled Seed Germination in Stevia Rebaudiana. I now have quality stevia seeds for sale at www.steviaseed.com. If you choose plants, get them locally or there are some mail order sources. Try to harden them off for a couple weeks before transplanting. Soft, succulent plants will usually die after transplanting. Stevia rebaudiana is a subtropical perennial. It generally survives winter only in areas warm enough for citrus, and even then it declines after a few years. Stevia may be grown as an annual outdoors. Plants grown at higher latitudes actually have a higher percentage of sweet glycosides. Stevia is vulnerable to cold night temperatures, so set the plants out at least 2 weeks after your last frost date. Soil and Culture Stevia grows on most soils, but prefers a sandy loam or loam, high in organic matter. Its native soils are on the acid side, but stevia tolerates a wide range of soil pH. Stevia requires a consistently moist soil, but not watterlogged. Too much soil moisture can cause plant rot. Ideal conditions are most easily provided with raised beds (4-6 inches high and 3 feet wide, with two rows of plants). Moisture is best supplied by a soaker hose such as the "weeping" hoses made from recycled rubber (see the picture above). Mulch is optional, but advisable, especially if a soaker hose is not used. Place the mulch after the weather is consistently warm. Stevia prefers partial shade in climates with considerable summer sunshine. Day length is more critical than light intensity. Long spring and summer days favor leaf growth. Short days trigger blossoming (see photo above). Stevia plants may be held over indoors in winter with the use of a fluorescents shop light left on 14-16 hours per day (use a timer). Pots as small as 3 inches wide may be used. Cuttings from these wintered over plants will provide fresh plants for the spring. Harvesting Harvest stems, leaving 1/3 of the foliage if regrowth is desired. Strip leaves and discard stems. Leaves may be used fresh for tea or eaten right off the plant for a sweet treat. Try combining with mint leaves. Dry leaves for later use by spreading in a warm spot with good circulation or in a dehydrator on low heat. Dried leaves remain sweet for many years and may be ground into a powder with a kitchen blender or food processor. This Green Stevia Powder has the full range of nutrients found in stevia, but does present some challenges for use in recipes. We have developed many very good recipes for the green powder, however, which you can find in Stevia Sweet Recipes. Propagation Stem cuttings root easily in late winter or early spring in horticultural grade vermiculite with 14-16 hours of fluorescent light per day. Use small cell packs or other containers with holes in the bottom and water from below as needed to maintain constant moisture. Cuttings should be 2-4 inches long with at least 2 leaf buds above ground. Remove all but 2 or 3 small leaves. After 2-4 weeks, transplant to larger pots with a light soil mix and allow to grow another 2-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Feel free to contact me by e-mail if you have any questions: Check out Jeffrey's book, "Growing and Using Stevia," a comprehensive manual on starting, growing, harvesting, and using stevia. |
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Stevia Sweet Recipes is available at Amazon.com |
Stevia Central Growing Stevia |
More on Growing Stevia by Jeffrey Other Articles on Growing Stevia |
Young Stevia plant with a drip hose made from recycled rubber |
Blossoming Stevia plants in October |
Stevia Rebaudiana includes a chapter by Jeffrey Goettemoeller about growing stevia in your own garden Get your copy at: |
Jeffrey Goettemoeller Horticulturalist & Author, Stevia Sweet Recipes & Growing and Using Stevia |
Site navigation: Home Stevia Sweet Recipes Growing Stevia |
by Jeffrey Goettemoeller & Karen Lucke includes complete growing information and 20 recipes for home grown stevia order from: |