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How to grow stevia plant?
Growing stevia has been a bit of a mixed bag for me. I started some plants indoors from seed, and only a couple managed to sprout. But, I bought a few established seedlings, and those took off like crazy! The key seems to be plenty of sun and warmth – they adore it. Mine are in big pots on my patio, and I make sure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged. The biggest perk is their sweet leaves! I use them fresh in drinks, or I’ll sometimes dry and crush them for a sprinkle of natural sweetness.
Is stevia plant safe?
The safety of stevia is a bit tricky. While the whole-leaf stevia plant isn’t approved for consumption, the highly refined extracts of stevia, called steviol glycosides, are considered safe by the FDA. I personally mostly use the refined stevia products since they’re readily available (look for ingredients like “stevia extract” or “Reb A”). I’d love to grow a big stevia plant for fresh leaves, but I always do a bit of extra research before using any homegrown herb extensively.
How to use stevia plant?
My favorite way to use my stevia plant is to pluck a few leaves directly into drinks for a subtle sweetness. A single leaf in a mug of hot tea adds a lovely, natural sweetness with a hint of earthiness. If I want a stronger sweetener, I dry the leaves and grind them into a fine powder. This is perfect for sprinkling into oatmeal, yogurt, or even the occasional baked good. I haven’t tried making my own extracts yet, but I’ve heard it’s possible and I’m curious to try it someday!
How to harvest stevia plant?
Harvesting my stevia plant feels really rewarding! The leaves are their sweetest before the plant flowers, so I keep an eye out for those flower buds. When I’m ready to harvest, I like to do it in the morning after the dew is gone. I’ll either pluck individual leaves or snip off an entire stem. For drying, I find it works best to hang the stems upside down in a warm, dry spot – my pantry is perfect for that. Once they’re completely dry, I just strip the leaves and either store them whole or grind them into a powder.
Where does the stevia plant come from?
While I’ve never personally been there, I know the stevia plant originally comes from South America – specifically Paraguay and Brazil. It’s fascinating that indigenous people there have used it for its sweet properties for centuries! It makes me appreciate being able to grow a little piece of that history in my own backyard. I often think about the journey of the stevia plant and how incredible it is that I can access a little bit of that tradition through my local gardening shop.
Where to buy stevia plant?
Finding my first stevia plants was an adventure! I didn’t have much luck with big box garden stores, they seem to focus on the more common herbs. Local nurseries were my saving grace – I found a couple of established seedlings at a smaller, family-owned place. Some online gardening shops offer stevia plants too, but shipping live plants always makes me a little nervous. If you haven’t had any luck at your usual garden centers, try browsing online or checking out smaller nurseries that specialize in herbs.
How to dry stevia plant leaves?
Drying my stevia leaves is super easy and I love having a stash on hand, ready to sweeten things up. My favorite method is to hang small bunches of stems upside down in a warm, dry place. A dark cupboard or pantry works great. Once the leaves are completely crispy, I pluck them off and store them in an airtight jar. If I’m in a hurry, I sometimes pop the leaves on a baking sheet in a low-temperature oven. But the hanging method seems to preserve more of that fresh, slightly sweet herbal aroma.
Is stevia plant a perennial?
Technically, yes, stevia is a tender perennial. That means it can live for multiple years in warm climates. But sadly, it’s not winter-hardy in my area. My stevia plant always dies back when the temperatures turn frosty. So, I treat it as an annual and plant fresh seedlings each year. I’d love to someday figure out how to overwinter it indoors, but until then, I’m content to enjoy it during the warm seasons.
