Growing Stevia
How to grow Stevia?
Stevia seeds have an average germination rate of 70%-85% (assuming you get quality seeds). Sweetness varies depending on the seed genesis so it is much more effective to purchase the plant itself.
Stevia plants like heat and light and thrive in temperatures 70-75 degrees. You will need to water frequently, however, excessive moisture can inhibit root system development therefore make sure the soil drains quickly and that there will be no puddling around the base of the plant. You can plant in a container (10-12”) for your own herb garden or deck plant. If planting in a garden, plant each starter 12-24” apart in the row. With proper care, plants will grow up to 30” high and 18-24” wide. Pinching the plant back will make a bushier plant rather than tall and lean. Grows naturally in an acid soil with pH 4 to 5 but will grow in a more neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. (UC Davis, 1982)
Stevia performs best with a rich loamy soil as do most garden plants. Soil needs to be at 65 degrees prior to planting outside. Stevia does not do well with frost. You can use fertilizers with lower nitrogen. An organic fertilizer may be best. You can also put compost around the base to keep moisture in when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.
Stevia repels most insects as they don’t like the extreme sweet, however, slugs do like it, so watch for them especially with new tender sprouts.
You can harvest your leaves throughout the growing season, 3-5 times per year depending upon your growing location and or how you care for your plant(s). Harvest prior to the plant flowering.
Next you will need to dry your leaves. You can let them sun dry which should take less than a day if it is a nice warm/hot day (about 12 hours in full sun) or you can use a dehydrator. You can certainly use fresh picked leaves, chopped up (to release sweetness) and added to a salad, sauce, baked goods, beverages and any other way you choose.
After harvesting, leaves need to be crushed/ground. You will be making your own green powder. You can crush by hand, a rolling pin, herb grinder or coffee grinder. Store in a sealed container, no refrigeration required.
We recommend you read Jeffrey Goettemoeller’s book shown above. The Sweet Leaf from Garden to Table with 35 Recipes, your complete guide to growing, harvesting, processing, and using stevia at home. Order your copy through online vendors such as: Prairie Oak Publishing; and Cal-Stevia.com. (Permission from the author was granted 2011 for use on this website).
Grow the Sweet Herb at Home! Stevia rebaudiana is a natural, low glycemic, low calorie alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Grow this amazing sweet leaf in your own garden, and then use your homegrown stevia in recipes!
Growing and Using Stevia is the complete home stevia guide from garden to table, with chapters about propagating, growing, harvesting, and processing stevia, indoors and out. This book also tells how to use homegrown Green Stevia Powder or Stevia Leaf Water Extract in 35 recipes developed in the Lucke and Goettemoeller kitchens. This step-by-step how-to manual is illustrated with 33 grayscale photos.
Learn how to: Start stevia from seeds, cuttings, or transplants. Grow stevia in your garden or in containers. Harvest leaves and make your own green powder or liquid stevia extract. Use homegrown green stevia in pies, frozen desserts, herb tea, smoothies, and more!
Stevia is an herb. It is related to the Chrysanthemum family which includes other herbs/spices such as tarragon and chamomile. Stevia is an annual plant. Stevia can continue to be productive for a second year but the sweetness factor diminishes with age. Letting your Stevia plant produce flowers will also decrease the sweetness factor.
Every gardener and households with herb gardens should add Stevia. Those with no garden should start one.
To make your own green powder stevia liquid: start by pouring one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of green powder. Green powder will not dissolve, it is like tea leaves in that manner. You could use a tea ball or strainer; however, you will need to add a cloth to strain through. Taste! Add more powder or liquid as needed. Let cool, then refrigerate. Liquid will be green-brownish in color and may have a slight licorice taste. Use in beverages and other recipes.
Does growing Stevia seem to be a lot of work?
Not really, but for some people time may be an issue. For those people, you can purchase Stevia products in various forms choosing what works best for you. Choose ready to use products and get a plant or two to cover all your needs.
By the way; you can use a mixture of refined and/or artificial sweeteners to get used to using Stevia. You should incorporate more stevia and less sugar or artificial sweeteners over a short time period.
Information on this site in not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any ailments. All medical conditions should be monitored by a physician.
Cal-Stevia 2012. All rights reserved.
Stevia seeds have an average germination rate of 70%-85% (assuming you get quality seeds). Sweetness varies depending on the seed genesis so it is much more effective to purchase the plant itself.
Stevia plants like heat and light and thrive in temperatures 70-75 degrees. You will need to water frequently, however, excessive moisture can inhibit root system development therefore make sure the soil drains quickly and that there will be no puddling around the base of the plant. You can plant in a container (10-12”) for your own herb garden or deck plant. If planting in a garden, plant each starter 12-24” apart in the row. With proper care, plants will grow up to 30” high and 18-24” wide. Pinching the plant back will make a bushier plant rather than tall and lean. Grows naturally in an acid soil with pH 4 to 5 but will grow in a more neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. (UC Davis, 1982)
Stevia performs best with a rich loamy soil as do most garden plants. Soil needs to be at 65 degrees prior to planting outside. Stevia does not do well with frost. You can use fertilizers with lower nitrogen. An organic fertilizer may be best. You can also put compost around the base to keep moisture in when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.
Stevia repels most insects as they don’t like the extreme sweet, however, slugs do like it, so watch for them especially with new tender sprouts.
You can harvest your leaves throughout the growing season, 3-5 times per year depending upon your growing location and or how you care for your plant(s). Harvest prior to the plant flowering.
Next you will need to dry your leaves. You can let them sun dry which should take less than a day if it is a nice warm/hot day (about 12 hours in full sun) or you can use a dehydrator. You can certainly use fresh picked leaves, chopped up (to release sweetness) and added to a salad, sauce, baked goods, beverages and any other way you choose.
After harvesting, leaves need to be crushed/ground. You will be making your own green powder. You can crush by hand, a rolling pin, herb grinder or coffee grinder. Store in a sealed container, no refrigeration required.
We recommend you read Jeffrey Goettemoeller’s book shown above. The Sweet Leaf from Garden to Table with 35 Recipes, your complete guide to growing, harvesting, processing, and using stevia at home. Order your copy through online vendors such as: Prairie Oak Publishing; and Cal-Stevia.com. (Permission from the author was granted 2011 for use on this website).
Grow the Sweet Herb at Home! Stevia rebaudiana is a natural, low glycemic, low calorie alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. Grow this amazing sweet leaf in your own garden, and then use your homegrown stevia in recipes!
Growing and Using Stevia is the complete home stevia guide from garden to table, with chapters about propagating, growing, harvesting, and processing stevia, indoors and out. This book also tells how to use homegrown Green Stevia Powder or Stevia Leaf Water Extract in 35 recipes developed in the Lucke and Goettemoeller kitchens. This step-by-step how-to manual is illustrated with 33 grayscale photos.
Learn how to: Start stevia from seeds, cuttings, or transplants. Grow stevia in your garden or in containers. Harvest leaves and make your own green powder or liquid stevia extract. Use homegrown green stevia in pies, frozen desserts, herb tea, smoothies, and more!
Stevia is an herb. It is related to the Chrysanthemum family which includes other herbs/spices such as tarragon and chamomile. Stevia is an annual plant. Stevia can continue to be productive for a second year but the sweetness factor diminishes with age. Letting your Stevia plant produce flowers will also decrease the sweetness factor.
Every gardener and households with herb gardens should add Stevia. Those with no garden should start one.
To make your own green powder stevia liquid: start by pouring one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of green powder. Green powder will not dissolve, it is like tea leaves in that manner. You could use a tea ball or strainer; however, you will need to add a cloth to strain through. Taste! Add more powder or liquid as needed. Let cool, then refrigerate. Liquid will be green-brownish in color and may have a slight licorice taste. Use in beverages and other recipes.
Does growing Stevia seem to be a lot of work?
Not really, but for some people time may be an issue. For those people, you can purchase Stevia products in various forms choosing what works best for you. Choose ready to use products and get a plant or two to cover all your needs.
By the way; you can use a mixture of refined and/or artificial sweeteners to get used to using Stevia. You should incorporate more stevia and less sugar or artificial sweeteners over a short time period.
Information on this site in not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any ailments. All medical conditions should be monitored by a physician.
Cal-Stevia 2012. All rights reserved.