Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana · Asteraceae
📷 Sten Porse · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Stevia is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous
- Adult height
- 80 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- August to September
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Moderate
- Origin
- Paraguay, Brazil
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Stevia hates cold and needs real summer heat to build up sweet compounds. Light, well-draining soil, maximum south-facing exposure.
The common mistake
Keeping it in a warm, humid greenhouse all year round: it gets soft, leggy, and unproductive.
The pro's trick
Sow in March on bottom heat (20°C): seedlings are ready to plant out by May.
Seasonal watch
From August to September, before the first frosts, harvest young leaves (the sweetest ones) and dry them in the shade.
Care
Exposure and lighting
Stevia demands a very bright location in full sun for optimal growth and maximum concentration of sweet compounds. It can tolerate light partial shade, but its productivity decreases. Place it in a spot sheltered from strong winds that could damage its delicate stems.
Regular and moderate watering
Keep the soil moist but well-drained during the growing season. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, while being careful not to create waterlogging that would encourage rot. Gradually reduce watering in autumn and winter.
Soil preparation
Use rich, well-drained, slightly acidic potting soil. Improve the soil with compost or organic matter before planting. Poor or overly compact soil would limit its growth and leaf production.
Balanced fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer (NPK) every two to three weeks in spring and summer. Favor a formula slightly rich in potassium to promote foliage. Stop fertilizing in autumn to prepare the plant for winter dormancy.
Harvesting and pinching
Pinch back young shoots regularly to encourage a bushy, well-branched form. Harvest the leaves at flowering time (August-September) when the concentration of active compounds is highest. You can cut stems at mid-height or harvest selectively.
Health monitoring
Stevia is generally robust, but watch for spider mites in dry conditions and mold in cases of excessive humidity. Ensure good air circulation around the plant to prevent fungal diseases. Quickly remove any damaged or diseased foliage.
Did you know?
Stevia has been used for centuries by the Guarani peoples of South America, who called it the "sweet herb." The leaves contain steviol glycosides that are 200 to 300 times sweeter than white sugar, without providing calories — a property that made it a natural sugar alternative worldwide after its rediscovery in the 20th century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.