Now you can grow your own calorie-free, carbohydrate-free, low-glycemic sweetener at home! Stevia, also called sweetleaf, is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. Some say the leaves have a slight, pleasant, anise aftertaste. The bushy, 18"-30" tall plants can be grown in 10"-12" diameter containers. Leaves are sweetest just before the plant flowers in late summer to fall. Grown as an annual, although perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer. Variety Info Family: Asteraceae Native: Paraguay and Brazil Hardiness: Grown as an annual, although perennial in USDA zones 10 and warmer. Exposure: Full sun to part shade Bloom Period: Late summer to fall Plant Dimensions: 18"–30" tall, 18" wide Variety Info: An upright leafy plant with brittle stems and elliptical, toothed leaves. Plants produce small, white, tubular flowers in late summer to fall. Attributes: Good for Containers Sowing Info When to Sow Outside: Not recommended. When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. Optimal soil temperature is 70°–75°F. Days to Emerge: 7–21 days Seed Depth: ⅛" or barely cover Seed Spacing: 18" Row Spacing: 20"–24" Thinning: Not required Growing Info Harvesting: Best flavor (highest stevioside content) is right before the plant flowers. Harvest in the morning after dew has dried. The entire plant can be cut or pick individual leaves or branches at any growth stage. To allow growth to continue, never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at a time. In very mild climates, plant may re-grow after cutting back to 4"–6" above the base.
