Tasty Tuesday Herb Spotlight: Stevia

 🌿 Herb Spotlight: Stevia 

Common name: Stevia, Sweet Leaf 
Botanical name: Stevia rebaudiana 
Family: Asteraceae 

Naturally sweet and surprisingly easy to grow, stevia is a wonderful herb for gardeners looking to skip refined sugars and grow their own plant-based sweetener. Its tender green leaves pack an intense sweetness—up to 200–300 times sweeter than sugar—making it a unique and practical addition to the herb garden. 

 

🌱 Why Grow Stevia? 

1. Natural Sugar Alternative 
Stevia leaves can be used fresh or dried to sweeten teas, beverages, and even baked goods—without the calories of sugar. 

2. Easy to Grow 
This compact, fast-growing plant does well in garden beds or containers and produces plenty of leaves for harvest. 

3. Great for Containers 
Stevia stays relatively small, making it perfect for patios, windowsills, or herb planters. 

4. Fun & Functional 
It’s a great plant for kids and curious gardeners—tasting a leaf straight from the plant is always a surprise! 

 

🌿 Growing & Care 

☀️ Light 

• Prefers full sun to partial shade 

• Best leaf sweetness develops with plenty of sunlight 

🌧️ Water 

• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy 

• Sensitive to overwatering—good drainage is key 

🌱 Soil 

• Well-draining, loamy soil 

• Does not like heavy clay or waterlogged conditions 

🌿 Growth Habit 

• Tender perennial grown as an annual in most climates 

• Typically grows 1–2 feet tall 

• Benefits from occasional pinching to encourage bushiness 

 

🌡️ Climate & Zones 

• Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11 

• Sensitive to frost and cold temperatures 

🌬️ Growing in Zone 5 

Zone 5 gardeners should grow stevia as an annual or container plant. 

🌿 Container Growing (Recommended) 

• Grow in a pot for easy mobility 

• Bring indoors before first frost 

• Place in a bright, sunny window 

🏡 Overwintering Tips 

• Keep in a warm, well-lit area 

• Reduce watering slightly in winter 

• Expect slower growth indoors 

 

🌿 Harvesting Stevia 

Stevia is best harvested just before flowering, when sweetness is at its peak. 

🌱 What to Harvest 

• Cut leafy stems 

• Leaves can be used fresh or dried 

🌞 When to Harvest 

• Mid to late summer 

• Harvest regularly to encourage new growth 

 

🍵 How to Use Stevia 

• Add fresh leaves directly to tea or lemonade 

• Dry leaves and crush into a natural sweetener 

• Infuse into syrups or extracts 

Tip: A little goes a long way—stevia is very sweet! 

 

🌬️ Drying Stevia Leaves 

1. Cut stems and bundle loosely 

2. Hang in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space 

3. Once dry, strip leaves and store in an airtight container 

4. Crush or grind before use 

 

🌸 Final Thoughts 

Growing Stevia rebaudiana puts a natural sweetener right at your fingertips. Whether you're cutting back on sugar or simply love growing something a little different, stevia is a fun, flavorful, and rewarding herb to add to your garden. 

Come visit The Flower Bin to pick up your stevia plant and start sweetening your garden—naturally! 🌿🍃