| Stevia seeds can be hard to find and some people | | | | and more leaves. Stevia plants will grow to a height of |
| find them hard to germinate. For best results use | | | | about 30 inches and a width of 18 to 24 inches. The |
| starter plants rather than attempting to grow it from | | | | best harvest is said to be in the second year if you |
| seeds. When ordering be sure that you are getting | | | | are growing it in a climate where it will survive the |
| stevia rebaudiana and not a different variety. Not all | | | | winter months or if you are growing it inside. |
| stevia plants are created equal. They can vary in | | | | Stevia can be consumed raw or cooked. Many people |
| stevioside content, and, therefore, sweetness. Try to | | | | prefer to dry the leaves. The dried leaves can be |
| determine if the plants you are buying have been | | | | ground and used as a sweetener or soaked in water |
| grown from cuttings whose source was high in | | | | and the liquid used in making preserves or baking. It |
| stevioside. | | | | cannot be substituted for sugar in all recipes. One |
| Stevia should be planted in rich, loamy soil and placed in | | | | example is that it cannot be used to make syrups. You |
| full sun. Stevia prefers moist soil but it needs good | | | | can test it in different dishes and recipes. Consider it |
| drainage. Frequent light watering is recommended. Do | | | | more as a flavoring, much like vanilla extract, rather |
| not allow the plants to set in water. Stevia has a | | | | than actual sugar. |
| shallow root system so take that into consideration | | | | Stevia has so many uses that every gardener should |
| when planting. Stevia can be grown outside but it does | | | | find some room for it. You won't run out of uses for |
| well in containers too. | | | | the naturally sweet herb. |
| Regularly pinch off blooms to promote bushy growth | | | | |