How Do You Plant Stevia?
June 22, 2022
stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener since ancient times for many drinks and beverages. It grows best in shaded conditions and produces leaves that taste like licorice! Interested in giving this plant a try in the garden?
Growing Stevia
Setting up your environment
Stevia prefers a sunny, outdoor location with well-draining soil and plenty of air circulation. Make sure your growing area has at least six hours of sunlight and is away from any nearby trees that may provide too much shade.
Planting
Stevia is best planted in early spring or late summer. Once you have chosen your planting site, dig a hole about twice the depth of the stevia roots and wide enough to fully accommodate them.
Maintenance
Once stevia is established, you should water it regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Be sure to pull up any weeds that are competing with your stevia for nutrients and water. Additionally, prune your stevia weekly to ensure optimal air circulation.
Harvesting
Stevia is ready to be harvested when the leaves are full and rich in flavor. Cut stems off at their base to ensure the plant stays healthy. After harvesting, dry the leaves in the sun and then store them in an airtight container for future use.
Intro to growing Stevia
OK, gardening time. Growing stevia is a lot of fun. Plus, they are tasty and healthy!
Soil
It is a tender perennial that grows well in soils with pH of 4.5. Stevia ideally wants sandy loam or loamy soil to grow in. Sandy loam simply means soil consisting of less than 7 percent clay, less than 50 percent silt, and between 43 and 50 percent sand.
Seeds
You are obviously also going to need seeds!
Sun-Requirements
This plant needs full sun.
Sowing
Sow the stevia seeds three inches apart, and about a half-inch deep. Immediately after planting, water the area gently to help the soil settle. Remember to keep the soil evenly moist as the seeds germinate!
Depth
Stevia should be sown at a depth of 0.25 inches (1 cm).
Germination
The stevia seeds should germinate in 10-16 days. Stevia seedlings emerge in 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. Provide direct sunlight for germination and keep the soil moist.
