{"id":5304,"date":"2016-05-25T15:14:51","date_gmt":"2016-05-25T19:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/?p=5304"},"modified":"2019-03-14T18:55:44","modified_gmt":"2019-03-14T22:55:44","slug":"grow-stevia-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/2016\/05\/grow-stevia-2.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Stevia"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re curious about how to grow stevia, the all-natural sweetener herb, I’ve got the answers for you. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a plant native to South America whose leaves impart sweetness to foods and beverages. Learn more about how to grow stevia in your own garden.<\/p>\n

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How to Grow Stevia<\/h2>\n

I learned about stevia from a nutritionist friend many years ago who was trying to wean me off of my artificial sweetener habit many years ago. “It’s from a plant” she said, handing me the powdered extract. A plant? My ears perked up. It was time to learn how to grow stevia.<\/p>\n

Stevia can be grown from either seeds or plants. It’s become so popular to grow your own stevia that even Wal-Mart had stevia plants for sale on a rack near the front door when I did my grocery shopping last weekend in our small rural town! That just goes to show you how much people have embraced the natural sweetener.<\/p>\n

If you’re learning how to grow stevia so that you can have your own sweetener for teas and foods, you need to be aware of a few things. First, the powdered concentrate that you purchase at the store is actually an extra, usually manufacturers in China, from the stevia plant itself. It’s been refined and somewhat altered to concentrate the sweet taste. Natural stevia, derived from drying and powdering the herb’s leaves, tastes similar but isn’t as strong as the stuff you can buy int he store.<\/p>\n

To grow stevia, all you need is a container and full sun. That’s it. Grow it outdoors on your deck or patio, watering it when the soil gets dry.<\/p>\n

It’s easy to grow in the garden, and I was surprised this spring when the stevia plant that I’d grown last year returned. I had no idea it could be a hardy perennial, but the raised bed vegetable garden where I grow stevia has a little micro climate that keeps the soil warm enough to sustain the plant through the winter.<\/p>\n

Stevia needs full sunlight, rich, well-drained soil, and plenty of water. After that, the plant will reward you with abundant growth.<\/p>\n

[Tweet “Learn how to grow stevia, nature’s zero calorie sweetener! #gardening #WellnessWednesday #herbs”]<\/p>\n

My stevia plant:<\/p>\n

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Drying and Storing Stevia Leaves<\/h2>\n

The edible part of the stevia plant that is used to sweeten foods is the leaves. When the plant is mature, it stands about a foot to two feet tall. It has woody stems like rosemary or thyme, but leaves similar to oregano or mint. It is not invasive.<\/p>\n

Here’s how to harvest and dry your stevia leaves:<\/p>\n